I love making candy during the holiday season. It makes the perfect gift (especially for the unexpected guest at a Christmas party) and candy is always fun to make, especially with friends!
But this recipe is new to me and I am so glad I was introduced to it! A friend of mine at work asked me if I had ever ‘peanut butter candies’ before (something her Nana used to make). After looking through google images she showed me what the candies looked like, and I knew I had to make them. Immediately.
They looked sweet, sinful and delicious. And they are!
Old Timey Peanut Butter Candies
yield: 24-28 pieces
1 lb Powdered Sugar
8 TBS Butter, softened
7-9 TBS milk, room temperature
Peanut Butter
1. Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl, set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer beat the butter until creamy and smooth. Slowly add the powdered sugar in batches and let incorporate between batches until all the powdered sugar is added.
2. Add the milk slowly until the mixture is firm and not sticky. Grab a piece and see if you can flatten it with the palm of your hand without it sticking. (If it sticks you need more powdered sugar, if its dry and crumbly add more milk.) You will use almost all or all of the milk.
3. Divide the ‘dough’ in two batches. Sift powdered sugar (heavily sift!!) on your work area and on your rolling pin and roll a piece of the dough into a rectangle shape about the size of a piece of paper. Smear peanut butter on the dough using the back of a spoon. You want an even layer, not too thick.
4. You want to roll the dough ‘long ways’ as if it was sushi. The first roll may crack at the fold, but its okay keep on rolling. The quicker you can roll the better shaped the candies will look.
5. Use a knife and cut 1/2 inch thick pieces. Clean your knife between cuts so the candies stay pretty. Repeat process with the other half of dough.
These candies are so delicious. When you first make them they are sweet and creamy and the peanut butter stands out. But the longer they stand the more firm the outside gets and they really become perfect little candies.
And with no oven and no candy thermometer necessary, candy making doesn’t get easier than this.
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