This year I decided to make folks think I had completely
gone off the deep end; that I had decided to go into a life of crime. To social media I typed, “Financially the
hardship has become too much; I am now going to make crack. First free samples to find out if the quality
is acceptable. Then I will begin to
process, package and distribute….will I need to get a food handler’s permit for
this I wonder?” The reactions were few;
laugh and like icons, but barely any comments; definitely not the reaction I
was expecting. I wondered if our new
Chief of Police, Clayton Black, would be knocking on my door as people reported
to him I was now a local drug dealer advertising on Facebook.
To waylay holiday sadness, I have, since moving to
Monticello, created goodies to distribute to those establishments that I have
dealt with happily. The City Office,
banking institution, Post Office were the beginning; imagine my surprise when I
was told, “Mary, no one has ever done this for us before. Thank you!”
I was enveloped with confusion; why would no one show appreciation for
these places, especially during the holidays?
I have added a few more establishments during our eight winter seasons
here; and surprise is still a reaction from them.
This year I was pleased by the reactions when I walked
in, carrying a foil wrapped package, and exclaimed, “Happy Holidays, I’ve brought
you crack. Enjoy!” There were raised eyebrows, hesitation in
accepting the package, a slow unwrapping and then a peek; but best of all was
the look of joy as they saw the Toffee and Peppermint Crack Candy. That’s correct, Crack Candy, an obnoxiously
sweet candy created with brown sugar, butter, saltine crackers, melted
chocolate and a topping. The toppings
can be toffee bits, crushed candy cane, roasted/chopped nuts, even a
combination of candy with nuts. The name
“crack” comes from the sound the candy makes when it has completely cooled and
is broken apart.
Researching this candy, I found so many variations,
including something called “Reindeer Crack” made with pretzels, M&M
candies, Chex cereal and melted white chocolate. Many of the recipes were very simple, some so
complicated I would have needed a culinary degree to get through it. My recipe is a simple one, but big hint, make
sure to have all the ingredients lined up and ready to go; the process goes
quickly!
Once again, Joyous Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah,
Happy Kwanzaa and Brightest Blessings for the New Year. Keep laughing and the future will look so
bright, you’ve got to wear shades.
Crack Candy
Ingredients:
40 saltine crackers
1 and ¼ cups salted butter,
cubed1 and ¼ cups brown sugar, packed (light, dark or combination of both)
1 (10 oz.) package dark chocolate morsels (milk, semi-sweet, or white chocolate morsels are options)
Options for Toppings
1 and ½ cups toffee bits
1 and ½ cups crushed
peppermint sticks1 and ½ cups roasted and chopped: pecans, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts
Or a 3/4 cup combination of two items, equaling 1 and ½ cups.
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350F; line
18” x 12” x 1” deep jelly roll pan with aluminum foil; lightly spray foil with
nonstick baking spray.
Place saltines on foil 5
down, 8 across; no spaces in between.
Make sure to leave a ¼ inch space from all four sides of the pan.
In a medium sauce pan, medium
heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar,
bring mixture to a boil; cook and stir for 3-4 minutes until all sugar is dissolved
and mixture thickens slightly.
Pour mixture over crackers;
if crackers separate, push back together with rubber spatula. Do NOT touch sugar mixture or it will burn
the skin. Bake in oven for 8-10 minutes,
until bubbly. Remove from oven (turn oven off, no longer needed); again, if
crackers have separated, push back together with rubber spatula. Sprinkle chocolate morsels over crackers;
allow to soften for a minute and spread melted chocolate evenly over the
crackers.
Sprinkle topping (s) over
chocolate; refrigerate for one hour.
Break apart; lifting the foil and folding it over the candy makes it
easier to grab and “crack” the candy. |
| Peppermint Crack |
 |
| Toffee Crack |
Makes about 2 pounds of
candy.
Mary Cokenour
