Makesabout 1 lb
- Active time:25 min
- Start to finish:1 1/4 hr
April 2002
The sponge candy’s tender crunch melts in your mouth.
-
1 1/2
cups
sugar
-
1/3
cup
water
-
3
tablespoons
unsalted butter
-
1/4
teaspoon
cream of tartar
-
1/2
cup
mild molasses
-
2 1/2
teaspoons
baking soda
-
Line bottom and sides of a 13- by 9-inch baking pan with foil, then butter foil.
-
Bring sugar, water, butter, and cream of tartar to a boil in a deep 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then wash down any sugar crystals with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. Boil without stirring until syrup registers 265°F (hard-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Add molasses (don’t stir) and continue to boil undisturbed until syrup registers 295°F (hard-crack stage), 4 to 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat and sift baking soda over syrup, then whisk to incorporate. (Use caution: mixture will bubble vigorously.)
-
Immediately pour syrup into lined baking pan and cool completely. Lift candy in foil from pan, then discard foil and break candy into pieces.
Cooks’ note: Candy keeps, layered between wax paper in an airtight container, 1 month.
