Did you hear about Oklahoma Nut Candy ?

Until recently, I had never heard of Oklahoma Nut Candy. The name alone caught my attention, and after doing a little research, I learned that this candy has quite a history. It was first published in 1936 in the food section of the Daily Oklahoman, under the name “Aunt Bill’s Brown Candy”. Since then, it seems to have made its way around the country. People know a good Christmas candy when they taste it.

INGREDIENTS :

• 6 cups sugar, divided
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ½ cups chopped walnuts or pecan

How To Make Oklahoma Nut Candy :

1. Grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
2. In a small saucepan (with a heavy bottom if you have it!), pour in 2 cups of sugar and cook over low heat while stirring often. Cook until sugar is completely melted, about 20 minutes.
3. As sugar cooks down, add the 4 cups of remaining sugar and heavy cream to a large saucepan (or dutch oven, you want a big pot here!). Simmer over low heat until the sugar in your small saucepan has melted. Add melted sugar to a large saucepan with continuously stirring.
4. Bring the heat up to medium and cook mixture until 244 degrees F or softball stage.
5. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda until completely combined.
6. Add butter and vanilla. Stir until butter has melted and the mixture is smooth.
7. Let rest for 20 minutes.
8. After the mixture has rested, stir in nuts and mix until the sheen has gone. Transfer to prepared baking dish.
9. Let cool 1-2 hours or overnight. Cut into small squares to serve.