How to Make Authentic Kentucky Cream Candy

Author's Diary, Day 4: Every book is missing something. Mine left out all the top-secret recipes -- for candy and desserts mostly, because we have a real sweet tooth in my family --  that my great grandmother  and her daughters used to make a long time ago in Kentucky.

My mother somehow got her hands on my Aunt Butch's recipe for cream candy (left), a taffy-like concoction that is not something the faint of heart should try to make because, according to the instructions, you must "heat to 260 and run like hell to a cold countertop" to start pulling the mixture into a rope as it cools. Oh, and, "Butter hands and watch out for blisters."

I need my hands to type. So you can see why I haven't tried to make cream candy.   Even my mother, a cream candy expert, is happy to get her supply these days from Ruthhuntcandy.com, which she says is "fine for store-bought."

After I wrote a newspaper column last week about cream candy, readers wrote to suggest another blister-free source of old-fashioned cream candy, Rebeccaruth.com (thanks to Martin and Galen).  I'll be sampling some next month in Kentucky.

Comments

[Brent]

I had to comment on your cream candy entry. I just watched an aunt and cousin tackle this for the first time and it is indeed a laboring event. All of my family is from the Northeastern KY, so I can definitely identify with your reflections. As a side note, I now live in the town where Ruth Hunt Candy started and still calls home, it is great cream candy!

[Lisa Withrow]

I am from Georgetown, KY.I have always considered myself a good cook and have always enjoyed it, but today I started a batch of KY butter cream candy for the first time. It was a waste of good time. Rebecca Ruth's is only 20 minutes from my house, think I'll go there. I am pretty stubborn so I may try again, I'll let you know the outcome. Nice chatting with you.
Lisa

[Lisa Withrow]

I am from Georgetown, KY.I have always considered myself a good cook and have always enjoyed it, but today I started a batch of KY butter cream candy for the first time. It was a waste of good time. Rebecca Ruth's is only 20 minutes from my house, think I'll go there. I am pretty stubborn so I may try again, I'll let you know the outcome. Nice chatting with you.
Lisa

[Lisa Withrow]

I am from Georgetown, KY.I have always considered myself a good cook and have always enjoyed it, but today I started a batch of KY butter cream candy for the first time. It was a waste of good time. Rebecca Ruth's is only 20 minutes from my house, think I'll go there. I am pretty stubborn so I may try again, I'll let you know the outcome. Nice chatting with you.
Lisa

[Melissa]

Every year I try one batch of cream candy. It always turns to sugar in my hands. My mom makes several batches a year.....and most turn out! I'll leave the pulling to her. She only makes it during the holidays, though. So, when I get a taste for it in the summer, I order from Ruth Hunt. Nice to know there is another place to look for it in Rebbeca Ruth.

[susan]

I can see the recipe.Could you some how send it to me.
thank you

[Ashley]

I would also love the recipe! It sounds much like something my grandmother used to make, and we do not have the recipe for it any longer-no one knows if it was just in her head. I remember her making a mad dash, and pulling (but she used buttered heavy duty rubber gloves to keep from burning her hands). If you wouldn't mind sharing it I would greatly appreciate it to try. ashleyfruge@hotmail.com

[kiloutimuk]

Hello

I am really excited. Keep up the great work. Good resources here.

Bye

[Dale]

I live in the Central Kentucky area and enjoy one of our regional favorites "Cream Candy". I have been unsuccesful in making my own and would like to try your Aunt's recipe. Clicking on the picture only provides a partial picture. Another candy store in Lexington, Old Kentucky Chocolates also sell cream candy.

[honda-radio]

Thx! :)

[honda-radio]

Thx! :)

[honda-radio]

Thx! :)