Candy Recipes
Island Sea Turtles
Homemade caramel is the "glue" that holds this macadamia nut and coconut turtle together. It is then coated with bittersweet chocolate and finished with a sprinkling of sea salt.
Yield: 3 dozen
Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry roasted and salted macadamia nuts
- 1 cup flaked sweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
- Sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place macadamia nuts in 36 clusters of 4 to 7 nuts each, 2 inches apart; set aside.
- Toast coconut in oven for about 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Pulse in food processor or chop into shorter strands.
- Butter the inside of a heavy 3 quart saucepan. Melt 1/2 cup butter over low heat. Add sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk; mix well. Increase heat to medium-high and bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium and continue to boil, stirring frequently until mixture reaches 244 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
- Remove saucepan from heat, stir in vanilla and coconut. Cool slightly; spoon a tablespoon of coconut caramel over each nut cluster; cool completely.
- Place chocolate in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave 30 seconds on HIGH, stir and continue to microwave in 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring after each. Chocolate should be smooth, but not warm.
- Dip tops of caramel-nut clusters in chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Place in refrigerator to set chocolate.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature, separating layers with wax paper for up to 1 week.
Notes
To prevent the formation of sugar crystals in the caramel, wash down the sides of pan using a pastry brush dipped in water.
Attribution
Recipe and photo used with permission from:
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.