Sweet as Honey: Crafting Old-Fashioned Honey Candy Recipe Creations
Childhood often involves fond memories of beloved candies. For me, it was unwrapping a Bit O’Honey bar with its honey-sweet crunch sparking an instant smile.
Now as an adult, I want to revisit the magic of classic honey hard candy, making each recipe from scratch to share with family and friends.
In this adventure, we’ll embark on a sugary stroll down memory lane as I craft honey taffy, sesame brittle, and more time-honored confections linked by a touch of bee-harvested sweetness.
Bit O’Honey Bars: A Beloved Candy Blast from the Past
Born in 1924 and still popular today, Bit O’Honey captured my childhood heart. These bars encapsulate the harmony of chopped almonds and sweet honey in chewy taffy, bringing back joy with each bite.
Let’s look into Bit O’Honey’s history and what gives these treats their addictive taste and texture.
Bit O’Honey Origins and Background
Bit O’Honey was created nearly a century ago by the Schutter Candy Company in Chicago. The bars were wrapped in eye-catching black and yellow packaging meant to evoke images of bees and honey.
A 1970s marketing campaign featured the classic “I’d Do Anything for a Bit O’Honey” jingle still recognized by candy lovers today.
Exploring the Bit O’Honey Recipe
A simple blend of just a few ingredients yields Bit O’Honey’s signature flavor. Sweet clover honey, roasted almonds, and a touch of butter are combined in a creamy taffy base.
It achieves an ideal balance of flavors for a treat that’s both nostalgic and irresistible even now.
Recreating Homemade Bit O’Honey
Want to recreate the bars you loved as a kid? Here’s a simple recipe to make approximately 18 small Bit O’Honey bars:
Ingredients:
1 1⁄2 cups honey
1⁄2 cup butter
1⁄4 cup whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1⁄2 cups chopped almonds
Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions:
In a small saucepan, combine the honey, butter, milk, and vanilla. Heat on medium, stirring frequently until the mixture reaches 250°F on a candy thermometer.
Remove from heat and stir in 3⁄4 cup of the chopped almonds.
Lightly coat an 8” x 8” baking pan with nonstick spray. Pour in candy mixture and spread evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining 3⁄4 cup chopped almonds over the top, gently pressing them in. Let cool completely until firm.
Lift from pan and cut into small rectangles with a buttered knife. Individually wrap bars in parchment paper, waxed paper works well too.
Homemade Bit O’Honey bars are perfect for reminiscing about being a carefree kid again!
Honey Taffy: A Sweet Timeless Tradition
Beyond packaged candy, taffy-pulling parties represent another old-fashioned way to enjoy honey’s magic. Sticky, chewy taffy is fun for all ages, especially with a touch of natural honey sweetness.
Let’s look at how honey elevates basic taffy into a nostalgic treat.
Background on Honey Taffy Recipes
Flavored with fruit essences, honey taffy dates back centuries as a homemade candy. Molasses or maple syrup is often substituted for pricier honey. But for special occasions, the real stuff added extra flair.
Taffy “pulls” brought people together, stretching the candy for that iconic texture.
Ingredients and Equipment for Honey Taffy
Making honey taffy only requires a few simple components:
Honey
White vinegar
Baking soda
Flavorings like vanilla or citrus zest
Nonstick surface for working the taffy
Candy thermometer
You’ll also need muscles to knead, pull, and shape the taffy once cooled!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Delicious Honey Taffy
Follow these steps for smooth, flexible honey taffy:
Combine 2 cups honey and 1⁄4 cup white vinegar in a large saucepan. Slowly bring to 250°F on a candy thermometer, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in 1⁄2 tsp baking soda. Mix until light and foamy.
For flavor, mix in 1 tsp vanilla or lemon zest. Pour onto an oiled marble surface and let cool until easy to handle.
Coat hands in cornstarch and knead taffy until smooth and pliable. Stretch into a rope and pull until glossy.
Twist into candy shapes or roll into bite-sized pieces. Wrap in wax paper to store.
DIY honey taffy makes for an entertaining group activity for all ages!
Sesame Honey Brittle: A Crunchy Cross-Cultural Twist
Another global favorite is honey sesame brittle, adored for its contrast of sweet golden honey against toasty, nutty crushed sesame seeds. Let’s explore this treat’s roots and make a batch of this addictively crunchy candy.
The Origins of Sesame Candy Around the World
Sesame, which grows well in subtropical climates, has been used in candies worldwide for millennia. French nougat, Mediterranean halva and Middle Eastern tahini treats all harness its nutty essence. Blending toasted sesame with honey creates a balance of flavors for brittle with international appeal.
Key Ingredients: Honey and Sesame Seeds
Two simple base ingredients - honey and sesame seeds - yield this candy’s signature taste and texture.
Honey is heated to hard crack stage to crystallize the sugars. Toasted sesame seeds lend crunch and nuttiness when mixed in.
Making Your Own Sesame Honey Brittle: Our Easy Honey Candy Recipe
Try this easy sesame honey brittle using just a few ingredients:
1 cup honey
1 1⁄2 cups sesame seeds
1 tbsp butter
1⁄4 tsp salt
Nonstick pan or baking sheet
Then:
Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan on medium heat until golden and fragrant. Reserve 1⁄2 cup for topping.
In a small saucepan, combine honey, butter, and salt. Heat to 300°F on a candy thermometer, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and mix in toasted sesame seeds.
Pour onto a nonstick surface and spread thinly. Sprinkle with reserved seeds and lightly press in.
Let cool completely then break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
The popularity of this crispy candy never gets old thanks to its delightful flavors.
More Fun Honey Candy Creations to Try
Beyond classic recipes, there’s no limit to honey candy innovations. Here are a few sweet ideas to whip up:
Honey Peanut Brittle
For irresistible crunchy peanut brittle, boil honey to 300°F and mix in roasted peanuts. Spread on a baking sheet, let harden, then break into brittle pieces.
Honey Nut Clusters
Combine roughly chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds with melted honey, spices, and puffed rice. Drop spoonfuls onto waxed paper and cool until set.
Honey Lollipops
Boil honey until thickened then pour into lollipop molds. Insert sticks and cool completely until hardened. Wrap these sweet pops individually. These always soothe sore throats in my house.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with additional flavors and textures when cooking up honey candy creations! I like using honey and caramel together.
Storing, Wrapping, and Gifting Your Candy Treats
A few final tips for enjoying your homemade honey confections:
Store fully cooled candies in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
Wrap individual candies or gift bags in cellophane and tie with ribbon for an artisanal touch.
Attach a honey dipper or bee motif card to gift your candies to loved ones.
Candy-making parties let kids package their very own treats as party favors to take home.
Bringing people together through sweet edible crafts creates lasting memories. Next time a sugar craving strikes, skip the store-bought candies and take a nostalgic journey back in time by making your own old-fashioned honey confections. You’ll be amazed at how easy and fun it is!
A Sweet Trip Down Memory Lane
I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring classic honey candy recipes with me! From sesame brittle to Bit O’Honey bars, crafting these nostalgic confections connects us to cherished food traditions passed down through generations.
More than just sweets, these timeless recipes represent togetherness and simple joy. They sweeten any gathering with flavored honey’s magical touch.
Whether making candy solo or hosting a festive taffy pull, let these recipes inspire you to revisit old-fashioned treats.
Each batch conjures nostalgic memories that take us back to simpler times. And the honey bee’s gifts make the experience all the sweeter!
On that sugary note, I wish you happy honey cooking and eating. Let these candies from the past sweeten your days ahead.
See Our Friends at Spangler for Old Fashion Honey Candy
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.
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