Merry Christmas Sweeties!!

DIY Candy Canes

What you need:

• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• red food coloring
• plastic gloves
• Candy thermometer
• Non stick cooking spray

To make:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
• Coat two cookie sheets with non stick cooking spray.
• Mix sugar, corn syrup, and water in small saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring constantly, until sugar is completely dissolved. Insert candy thermometer and continue cooking without stirring until mixture reaches 285.
• Remove candy from heat and stir in peppermint extract. 
• Pour half of the mixture onto cookie sheet and place in warm oven.
• Add 2-4 drops of red food coloring to remaining candy and pour onto heat safe cutting board. Allow to sit briefly until a 'skin' forms.
•  Spray a heat safe spatula with cooking spray. Use tool to spread candy back and forth on cutting board to allow for cooling.
• When candy is cooled, but still warm put on gloves and coat with non stick cooking spray. Begin to hold candy with both hands in opposite directions, stretching into a long rope.
• Bring the ends of the rope together and twist together. Then pull out into a long rope again. Continue to twist and pull candy until it becomes opaque red with a satiny finish.
•  Once candy is barely warm but still pliable pull into strand that is about 2 inches thick. Place it on remaining cookie sheet. Turn off oven, remove cookie sheet, and place the red candy in the cooling oven.
• Repeat the same process with the clear candy until it is pearly white in color. Once almost cool pull into 2 inch thick rope.
• Remove red candy from oven. 
• Cut a 5 inch section off of each strand. Place side by side and begin twisting together. Once it reaches desired thickness cut into 8 inch pieces with oiled kitchen shears or knife. Pull one end into hook. Set on cookie sheet at room temperature to set.
• Repeat with remaining candy.

If Life Hands you Lemons....

Although a well known tradition, we are unable to locate an original story behind drinking lemon juice directly from the fruit with a peppermint stick. Our King Leo Soft Peppermint Sticks are perfect for creating this delicious treat! Simply, cut the top of the lemon off, push the peppermint stick in and use it as a straw. Do you have any fun stories or history regarding this tradition?

Candy Cane Types

Candy Canes aren't just peppermint anymore! We've got watermelon, strawberry, Sweetarts, and Now & Later flavors. See our flavors here: http://www.candycrate.com/candy-canes.html.

Candy Cane Drink Recipes

Martha Stewart's Candy Cane Cocktail

What you need: 

• 1 candy cane, crushed, for garnish
• 2 ounces strawberry vodka
• 4 dashes white creme de menthe
• 2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
• Ice cubes  

To make:

Place crushed candy canes on a small plate or saucer. 

Wet the outside rim of a chilled martini glass with water then dip in crushed canes coating edge of glass.

In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, creme de menthe, cranberry juice, and ice; shake until well combined. Strain into prepared glass; serve immediately.

Crockpot (Kid Friendly) Candy Cane Cocoa

What you need:

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 4 cups half and half
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/3 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp peppermint extract
• 3 candy canes crushed
• Whipped cream

To make:

In a  4-quart crockpot combine cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.

Slowly stir in hot water until well mixed.

Whisk in half and half in milk.

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally (Do not boil).

Add bittersweet chocolate, stirring until melted.

 Stir in vanilla and peppermint extract.

Serve in festive mugs topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes!

Candy Cane Dessert!

Candy Cane Peppermint Bark

What you need: 

2 cups dark chocolate chips

2 cups white chocolate chips

8 peppermint candy canes

To make:

Crush candy canes and place in zip lock bag.  (We like to use a food processor but a rubber mallet will work just as well.)

 Cover a cookie sheet in aluminum foil.

Melt dark chocolate and spread evenly with a spatula onto cookie sheet.

 Refrigerate 15-30 minutes until firm.    

Melt white chocolate, stirring 3/4 of your candy canes into mixture. 

Remove cookie sheet from refrigerator and spread white chocolate evenly on top of the dark chocolate.

Sprinkle remaining candy cane pieces evenly on top.

Return cookie sheet to refridgerator for 30-45 minutes to harden. 

Once bark is completely set, break into small uneven pieces for serving. 

 

Candy Cane Inspired Beauty

***Deliciously Sweet Candy Cane Scrub

What you need:

1 cup granulated white sugar
6 candy canes crushed
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp. vitamin E oil
1 tsp. peppermint extract

To make:

Stir all ingredients until well blended. Store in clean glass jar with lid.

***Candy Cane Lip Gloss

What you need:

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. agave nectar

To make:

Place all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 15 second intervals until coconut oil is melted. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Pour into small containers and let sit overnight to solidify.

Who knew?!

We’re kicking off our 12 days of Candy Canes with some fun facts about this traditional sweet treat!

*National Candy Cane Day is December 26!

* Traditionally the candy came in long solid white sticks. The red and white canes we are now familiar with did not come around until the 1900’s.

*The approximate shelf life of Candy Canes is 2-3 years as long as they are properly stored.

*The average candy cane is approximately 5 inches in length and weighs roughly half an ounce. The largest cane recorded was produced in 2011 at 63 feet tall!

*Candy Canes were originally manufactured in Germany in the 17^th century.

*Spangler candy company makes approximately 2.7 million candy canes a day!

*The most popular uses of candy canes include decorating the Christmas tree and baking.  How do you use them?

Check out Candy Crate's selection of Candy Canes here:  http://www.candycrate.com/candy-canes.html.

Did you know?!

We came across an interesting article on MediaPost.com...

Candy Is Adults' #1 Christmas Snack Purchase

Read more: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/187976/candy-is-adults-1-christmas-snack-purchase.html#ixzz2DYbgh6wi

Half of U.S. adults who celebrate Christmas buy candy for the holiday, and 54% of these consumers buy it for consumption by themselves or their families, as opposed to gifts, according to an NPD Group survey.

In addition to eating it themselves, 44% of adults buy candy for gifting, and the remaining candy purchasers use it for holiday entertaining and other activities.

Half (51%) of candy eaters consume seasonal/holiday chocolate candy. Candy canes are a next favorite, followed by snack-size chocolate candy bars, gift box chocolates, and seasonal/holiday non-chocolate candy. 

Impulse is the prime driver for 15% of candy/treat purchases.

Women gravitate to the seasonal sections of stores to buy candy for the holidays, whereas men favor the regular candy section.

The survey, of some 4,900 adults who celebrate Christmas, finds chips ranking as the second most commonly purchased Christmas snack (bought by 38% of adults), followed by fresh fruit (36%) and crackers and nuts (each at 31%).

The survey's results are among the holiday snacking trends data in a new NPD report, SnackTrack Holidays Christmas Profile.

 

DO YOU HAVE A HOLIDAY CANDY TRADITION?

Read more: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/187976/candy-is-adults-1-christmas-snack-purchase.html#ixzz2DYbgh6wi

Read more: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/187976/candy-is-adults-1-christmas-snack-purchase.html#ixzz2DYbgh6wi

CYBER WEEK SPECIAL MEGA MOVIE NIGHT NOSTALGIC CANDY THEATRE BOX GIFT

 

Mega Movie Night Tower

We have the perfect gift for any movie enthusiast. Rent your favorite flick or go out for the night and take along your favorite theater candy from this tasty Mega Movie Night Retro Candy Set comes adorned with matching ribbons and makes a perfect and unique gift for any occasion. This one of a kind tower gift assortment includes sixteen of your favorite theater candies in the same size movie box you would get at the theatre. Includes the following classics: Dots Gum Drops, Crows Licorice Gum Drops, Jujubees, Gobstoppers, Red Hots, Sweetarts, Swedish Fish, Bottlecaps Soda Pop Candy, Lemonheads, Boston Baked Beans, Mike & Ikes Original Fruits, Hot Tamales Cinnamon Candy, Mary Janes, Sugar Babies, Smarties and Chuckles Jelly Candy. OVER 5 POUNDS of CANDY! Over 16 inches tall.

Originally $39.99 and for THIS WEEK ONLY $9.99!! Use coupon code CANDIES for an additional 10% savings!

ROCK CANDY RECIPE

(CHILDREN MUST BE SUPERVISED DURING ENTIRE PROCESS)

Rock Candy experiments can be a great way to occupy children (and adults) during inclement weather, or as a great idea for a science project.  Plus, Rock Candy, unlike many other projects, allows the little researcher to eat the results!

You will need about a week to grow the sugar crystals and complete this experiment.

 

 

MATERIALS LIST:

            Glass jar (if you want to make a larger batch, double the recipe and find another jar or two)

            Cotton Thread

            Pencil

            Paper Clip

            2 C granulated sugar

            1 C water

            ½ tsp flavoring extract of your choice (optional)

            Food coloring (optional)

PREPARATION:

1.   Sterilize your glass jar by washing in a dishwasher or by washing it thoroughly with hot water. Cut a piece of thread a few inches longer that the height of the jar. Cut a length of cotton thread a few inches longer than the height of the jar and tie or tape the thread to the pencil.  Lay the pencil across the jar opening and roll it until the thread sits one inch from the bottom of the jar.  To weigh down the thread and to make it hang straight, attach the paper clip to the bottom of the thread. 

2.  Roll the thread in sugar to enable the sugar crystals to grab on to the thread and start forming.  Set the thread aside to dry and begin preparing your sugar syrup.

3.  In a medium sized pan, bring your water to a boil.  Slowly add the sugar, one cup at a time being sure to stir after each addition. (It is normal for the sugar to dissolve slower as more sugar is added.)  Continue to boil and stir the syrup until all sugar has been dissolved. Remove pan from heat.

4. Add your optional colorings or flavorings at this time.  For extract, add ½ tsp. as stated above.  If you wish, you may add 2-3 drops of food coloring and stir until coloring is smooth and even.

5. Cool the sugar syrup for about 10 minutes before pouring into the jar or jars you prepared earlier. Place the pencil with the sugared cotton thread across your syrup filled jar then lower the string until it hangs about 1 inch from the bottom.

6. Cover the top of the jar loosely with a paper towel or plastic wrap and store undisturbed, in a cool place away from bright lights.

7.  Watch your experiment for changes.  You should see some sugar crystals forming within 2-4 hours. If there has been no change to the thread in 24 hours you will need  to boil the syrup again, adding another cup of sugar. Once this additional cup of sugar has been dissolved follow the instructions again starting with step five.

8. The rock candy can be allowed to grow to the size you wish, but don’t grow it too large or too close to the sides of the jar or it will begin growing on your jar. Once the rock candy has reached the size you wish, remove it and allow it to dry for a few minutes.  

9. Enjoy!  If saving for later (good luck getting the kids to do this), wrap in plastic wrap.

10.  If used as a science project, it is fun for the experimenting student or teacher to give out pieces of rock candy to the class, but it is rarely possible to make enough during the project to accommodate an entire class.  We suggest going on line to our Rock Candy Store where you can purchase bulk rock candy, boxed rock candy or rock candy by the piece/stick.

 

Show us your loot!!!

Post a photo to our Facebook wall of your Trick-or-Treat loot to be entered into a drawing for a sweet prize!!

Candy Corn

October 30th, is National Candy Corn Day and Candy Corn is not just for Halloween anymore. Candy makers now produce Brach's Fall Flavors Candy Corn for Autumn,
Reindeer Corn for Christmas, Cupid Corn for Valentine’s Day and on Easter – plastic eggs full of Bunny Corn. As popular as this candy is (more than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year), it barely makes the top ten traditional Halloween candy favorites.

Kids tell us that their favorite treats to receive when trick-or-treating are candy and gum. Eighty-four percent of kids said candy and gum are their favorites

The Top Ten Traditional Halloween Candy includes: 

 

1)      Lollipops

2)      Tootsie Rolls/Pops

3)      Smarties

4)      Bubble Gum

5)      “Fun Size” Chocolates (with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups the favorite)

6)      Pixy Stix

7)      Sweetarts

8)      Starburst

9)      Caramel Candy

10)  Candy Corn

Better Safe than Sorry

We’ve all heard the unsavory tales when it comes to our children’s trick or trick loot. While it is likely that nothing is amiss inside of that plastic orange jack o lantern filled with treats, it is never a bad thing to err on the side of caution. Based on a poll of our employees we have compiled a list of practical guidelines.

Never allow your children to eat candy while trick or treating. You cannot be sure without the proper lighting that you’ve inspected the candy thoroughly. Once home, dump all candy on table or counter in a well lit area. First discard any unwrapped items. Also, dispose of any items that are unfamiliar or appear homemade. Check the remaining sweets for tears, holes, discoloration or the appearance of anything strange inside the package. Separate the candy deemed edible into two categories, things YOU want to eat and the sweets you’ll let your kids have. Finally, Halloween is a time to enjoy your favorite confectionary treats so stash the candy you’ve decided to keep for yourself and disperse the remainder to your children as you see fit.

All Hallow's Eve!

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 40 million children will venture out into the Autumn night and go trick-or-treating this year. The origin of Halloween goes back to when Celtic groups in areas now known as Ireland, Scotland and Wales celebrated their New Year's Day on November 1^st, know then as “All Saints' Day”. The day before this celebration, October 31st, was called "All Hallows' Eve" and signaled the close of the harvest season. 

What you asked!

We took a poll of our Customer Service Representatives this week and asked what the two top questions (and answers) were this week. 

Can I place an order in advance and have it held for shipment for a later arrival date?
 

Absolutely. If you have a special event and need your items to arrive on a specific date, you can always call in your order to us at 1.800.849.0772. Our representatives will do everything possible to meet your needs. 

  
 How many pieces of candy come in a five pound bag?

This varies depending on the candy. For example, the Bleeps candy is a 1 inch diameter solid pressed candy. Alternately, the King Leo Soft Peppermint Puffs are porous, airy pieces. One pound of s Bleeps candy has approximately 43 pieces; the King Leo Peppermint Puffs have 82 pieces per pound. We include this information in our product descriptions wherever possible, but if you do not see this information for your item, please email or call for more information.

As always feel free to submit any questions or concerns to us via http://www.candycrate.com/info.html.

Welcome

Welcome to Candy Crate's new candy blog.  A new and exciting format for it's intended audience:  Candy lovers such as yourself, interested in hot and current topics about candy.

 Articles and information relating to candy and the confectionary industry will include: safety, new products, reviews, trends and laws affecting the sugar and candy trade.  Although this candy blog will be filled with many informational articles, eating candy is just downright fun, so we will also include stories, trivia, jokes and light hearted articles for your enjoyment.

 

With a combined employee experience of over 100 years in the food and confectionary industry, we will be able to sift through the sizeable amount of information available and pass on new and innovative discoveries to you. We believe that having this amount of expertise will add an additional level of insight to the information we've included and enhance your blogging experience.

 

We welcome you to our new, better blog and hope you enjoy the information that will be provided in the upcoming months.  We look forward to continued input from you and will give consideration to any suggestions given.

 

The Candy Crate Team.

AsTrO pOp'S are BACCCCKKK!!

www.candycrate.com/astropopcandy.html

Love is sweet, so grab some treats!

There are so many options when it comes to candy buffets. Colors, flavors, tags or no tags, wrapped or unwrapped, scoops, ribbons, cutesy saying or simple signage. What are your favorites?