What do you mean you never heard of it?

Last week I was talking to a few co-workers and somehow in the conversation I brought up how I love angel food candy (also called sponge candy) during the holidays.  It is the only time of year that I can ever find it.  All I received was blank stares…they had never heard of my beloved candy! 

It is hard to describe really.  It is a candy that is made from sugar and karo syrup which is boiled to a certain temperature and then baking soda is added to create bubbles in the candy.  It is poured into a pan and hardened.  Then the candy is broken into pieces and covered in milk chocolate.  I only know how to make it since I tried…and failed miserably.  Apparently you need a candy thermometer to make candy…who knew??

Serendipity, being the lovely lady that she is, brought me to a store last weekend that had my candy.  I bought three bags.  The next night we cracked open a bag and I christened my children in the eating of angel food candy.  They loved it, of course, since it was (a) candy and (b) CANDY!

So, here is the recipe courtesy of epicurean:

Recipe:

1 teaspoon butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon baking soda

Using butter, grease a 9-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. In a large saucepan (at least 3 quarts) combine sugar, dark corn syrup and white vinegar. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cover pan for one minute to allow steam to wash down sugar crystals that cling to sides of pan.

Uncover, insert candy thermometer and cook to 300 degrees(hard crack stage). Remove from heat , sprinkle with baking soda and stir very quickly, making sure it’s evenly combined. The mixture will bubble and expand.

Pour into prepared pan.Do not spread, as mixture will spread itself. Cool.

As soon as candy cools enough to hold an impression, score it with a sharp, strong knife. Work knife back and forth, marking candy in squares. When candy is thoroughly cooled,turn pan over and tap it to loosen candy. Break into pieces.  Coat with dipping chocolate.

Enjoy!

angel food candy