Until recently, I had never heard of Oklahoma Nut Candy. The name alone was enough to grab my attention and after a little research I learned this candy has quite the history! It was first published in 1936 in the food column of The Daily Oklahoman where it was called Aunt Bill’s Brown Candy. From there it seems to have made the rounds throughout the nation. People know a good Christmas treat when they taste it!

The instructions varied a bit throughout the years, but the ingredients have stayed largely the same. Mainly, a whole lot of sugar. If you take a peak at the ingredient list you’ll see that this recipe calls for a hefty six cups of sugar. Yup, you read that right. From there you’ll find other baking staples.

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

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 5 cups of sugar, heavy cream, unsalted butter, and baking soda. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the butter melts.

2. Once the mixture is well combined, attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan, making sure it does not touch the bottom. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until it reaches the soft-ball stage (about 236°F or 113°C). This may take approximately 20-30 minutes.

3. Once the soft-ball stage is reached, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Be cautious as the mixture will be extremely hot.

4. Allow the mixture to cool for a couple of minutes, then add the chopped walnuts or pecans. Stir well to ensure that the nuts are evenly distributed throughout the candy.

5. While the nut mixture is cooling slightly, generously butter a large baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.

6. Pour the candy mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

7. In a separate small saucepan, melt the remaining 1 cup of sugar over low heat until it turns a light golden color. Be attentive, as sugar can quickly go from golden to burnt.

8. Drizzle the melted sugar evenly over the surface of the candy on the baking sheet. This step adds a delightful crunch to the candy.

9. Allow the Oklahoma Nut Candy to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, break it into pieces with your hands or using a knife.

10. Store the candy in an airtight container at room temperature. It makes for a delightful holiday treat or a sweet gift for friends and family.

Enjoy