How to Make Butterscotch Candy

Ever have real butterscotch candy? If your only exposure to butterscotch has been through pudding, the bright yellow candies with a chemical taste, or manufactured "butterscotch" chips, you're in for a much tastier treat. Here's how to make the real thing.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brown sugar
• Sugar
• Light corn syrup
• Butter
• Water
• Vinegar
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy saucepan
• Cookie sheet
• Aluminum foil
• Silicone spatula
• Candy thermometer
• Glass of ice water
• Stove
• Powdered sugar
• Sharp knife
• Airtight container

1. Place 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup, 1/2 cup butter, 2 tbsp. water, 2 tbsp. vinegar and 1 tsp. vanilla into the saucepan.

2. Put the saucepan on the stovetop, and warm the contents over medium heat.

3. Melt the sugar and butter, then reduce the heat until the mixture comes to a medium boil. Stir with the spatula and scrape the sugar mixture off of the sides.

4. Heat the mixture until it reaches 300 degrees F on the candy thermometer. If you do not have a candy thermometer, drop some of the hot mixture into a glass of ice water. When it has reached about 300 degrees, the mixture will form hard candy balls that crack when dropped into cold water.

5. Cut a piece of the aluminum foil to fit the cookie sheet and butter generously. Pour the hot candy mixture onto the buttered foil and cool slightly.

6. Score the top of the candy to form squares. Allow it to cool completely.

7. Break the candy apart along the scored lines. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, to keep them from sticking together, and store in an airtight container. This method makes a little over 1 lb. of butterscotch.

Tips & Warnings

• No one really knows the origin of the name "butterscotch." The evidence to suggest that it came from Scotland is inconclusive. It's possible that it got its name from the scoring, or scotching, of the hot candy mixture before it cooled completely.
• Bart Simpson is supposedly allergic to butterscotch.

Resources

• Find lots of home cooking recipes at this site.

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[nelliibaby]

on 3/10/2009 I just finished making this! They are cooling now so I will let you know how it turns out...but it was a very easy process! I don't have a candy therm. so I used the "hard ball" method. I found it took about 20 minutes of boiling (right between low and medium setting on an electric stove) to get to the right stage. I did taste a little bit off the spoon after I was done pouring and that tasted very yummy!! Thanks for such a great recipe!