Walnettos

These old fashioned caramels with the funny name are the most delicious bits of heaven ever.

My Dad made some on Saturday and sent them over. I was immediately in love, as was Little Man.  Toadie not so much, but he isn’t too big on sweets anyway.

He also sent the recipe along on Sunday, with enough black walnuts to make a couple of batches. I’ve made one batch so far, but another is forthcoming this week.  They’re that good.

They are very easy to make, but one batch makes 100-144 candies, depending on the size you cut them.

Wrap each one of those in wax paper and see how much “fun” that is.  You will want to enlist help. Or do it over a couple of days, because it’s a pain.

This is a creation that is totally gift worthy.  I might add this to my list of things to make at Christmas, because they would be a lovely addition to my holiday selection.

Walnettos

Ingredients

2 C. brown sugar (I used dark brown)

2 C. white sugar

3/4 lb. of butter (three sticks)

16 oz. White corn syrup

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. vanilla

1 C. chopped black walnuts (you can also use English walnuts or leave the nuts out all together.)

Directions

Grease (or use nonstick cooking spray) a 12 x 17 inch jelly roll pan and set aside.

In a 4 quart or larger cooking pan, combine all ingredients except vanilla and walnuts. Whisking often, bring the ingredients to 252 degrees (just under hard ball stage) on a candy thermometer.

Remove from heat, add vanilla and nuts and stir well. Pour into jelly roll pan and let rest on counter until cool.

When cool, cut into squares with kitchen shears and wrap individually in wax paper.

Makes 100-144 caramels, depending on size.

Stacey’s Notes: The original recipe calls for boiling the mixture to 245 degrees.  This will result in a very soft caramel, almost too soft.  Rather, I recommend cooking until just over the firm ball stage but under the hard ball stage for a nice consistency and texture. Or, you can just drop off all your ingredients at my Dad’s and he’ll do them up perfectly for you. Not really.  My dad is retired and loving it, he doesn’t want a job.

Enjoy the yum,

S.

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