A Little Candy Book for a Little Girl

First Betsey shelled the almonds, then blanched them by covering with boiling water for about a minute (this made it very easy to slip off the brown skins), next she split them in two.

Taking some of the cream, she molded it into balls, pressed flat and put half an almond on each side.

Pecan Creams

Betsey's mother bought the pecans already shelled, as it was almost impossible to shell them without breaking them.

Taking some of the cream, she molded it into balls, pressed flat and put half a pecan on each side.

Walnut Creams

The cream she molded into small balls, pressed flat and put half a walnut on each side of the cream.

Another time Betsey tried—

Cherry Creams

Betsey cut the cherries lengthwise in two, shaped the cream into small balls and pressed half a cherry on each side.

The angelica she cut into strips to form stalks, then stuck a cherry on each. Sometimes she simply put the cherry inside the cream balls.

The pretty combination that follows was called—

Neapolitan Cream Squares

Betsey's mother had a large marble slab which she used for rolling out pastry, and this slab Betsey sprinkled with confectioner's sugar that had been thoroughly sifted. To the cream she added a few drops of vanilla and kneaded it in thoroughly. This she divided into five portions, leaving one white and coloring the others pink, green, yellow and chocolate. (Mother always bought the best flavorings and the same concern which made these also had color pastes which were pure and harmless and made according to government regulations, so mother bought some for Betsey with directions for using.) Betsey rolled out each portion alike, placed one on top of another, pressed the rolling-pin lightly over them and cut in half-inch squares with a sharp knife, then placed on waxed paper to dry.

Chocolate Cream Peppermints

Betsey mixed the egg white, water and oil of peppermint drops in a bowl and added as much sifted confectioner's sugar as it would absorb.

The board she sprinkled well with the sugar, then rolled out the mixture to one fourth inch in thickness, and cut out with a small round cutter.

While she was busy with this the chocolate had melted; this she had placed in a good-sized breakfast cup, and the cup in a small shallow pan of hot water on the back of the stove.

Now Betsey took two silver forks and dipped each round of cream in the chocolate, carefully draining each one before placing on waxed paper. Sometimes she needed to melt a little more chocolate, as the eggs varied in size and so made more or less accordingly.

One of Betsey's schoolmates gave her a recipe for lemon and orange creams that her mother often made, so Betsey tried these.

Lemon Creams

First Betsey grated the rind of the lemon into a bowl, then added the lemon juice (strained), the pinch of tartaric acid and sufficient sifted confectioner's sugar to mold into small balls which she flattened into cakes. These she covered with waxed paper and put in a cool place and they were ready the next day to eat.

Orange Creams

As for "Lemon Creams," Betsey grated the rind of the orange into a bowl, added the strained orange juice, a pinch of tartaric acid and sufficient sifted confectioner's sugar to mold into small balls, which she flattened into cakes. Sometimes Betsey put a half cup of walnut meats or pecan meats through the meat chopper and molded them into the cream.

Then she covered with waxed paper, put in a cool place and they were ready the next day to eat.

She also added the nuts to the "Lemon Creams" when she wanted a change.

CHAPTER VI
STUFFED DAINTIES

One day Betsey's mother bought her a pound of nice fresh marshmallows to make

Stuffed Marshmallow Dainties

Betsey found these were very easy to prepare and most delicious.

All she had to do was to cut the marshmallows in two, with the scissors, horizontally,—they look better this way when stuffed (Betsey learned in school about horizontal lines, so that she knew just what mother meant),—then place a piece of ginger or a candied cherry or a piece of candied pineapple or a piece of fig or raisin or date or part of a walnut, pecan, almond, butternut or brazil nut, or small flat balls of the uncooked or cooked foundation cream on the bottom portion of the marshmallow and then press the top piece over it.

Fruit Paste

All these Betsey put through the meat chopper twice, next she put the mixture on the board and kneaded it well with sifted confectioner's sugar until she could roll it out to one half inch in thickness, then she cut in pieces and dipped them in granulated sugar.

Mother also showed Betsey how to stuff raisins and dates, and Betsey found mother's little sharp-pointed kitchen knife to be just the thing for this kind of work.

Stuffed Raisins with Walnuts

Betsey slit the raisins down one side carefully, removed the seeds and pressed in a piece of walnut cut just the right size, then pressed the slit together and rolled in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Raisins with Pecans

Slitting the raisins carefully on one side with a sharp-pointed knife, Betsey removed the seeds, pressed in a piece of pecan meat, squeezed the opening together, then rolled in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Raisins with Almonds

After Betsey had prepared the raisins by slitting one side carefully and removing the seeds, she blanched the almonds she had shelled by covering with boiling water. Letting them stand about a minute, then draining off the water, she removed the brown skins easily.

The raisins were not always large enough to hold a whole almond so she cut the nut to fit it, then pressed the opening together and rolled in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Raisins with Peanuts

Betsey made a slit in each raisin, carefully, with a sharp knife, removed the seeds and pressed in a peanut.

After pressing the opening together she rolled the raisin in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Raisins with Foundation Cream

Betsey had the foundation cream all made (see page 92). She prepared the raisins as usual (slitting carefully on one side and removing the seeds), then made the cream into small balls and pressed into the opening, which she closed. Next she rolled each raisin in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Dates with Walnuts

Betsey found that these did not take nearly as long to prepare as the raisins.

With a sharp knife she cut one side of the date, removed the long stone, filled it with a piece of walnut the right size, then pressed and rolled in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Dates with Pecans

Making an opening into each date with a sharp knife, Betsey removed the stone and filled with a piece of pecan meat to fit, and rolled in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Dates with Almonds

It was a quick job for Betsey to prepare the dates by cutting an opening and removing the long stone, but the almonds took longer. These she shelled, covered with boiling water a minute, drained them and removed the brown skins.

In each date she pressed an almond, then rolled in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Dates with Peanuts

After Betsey shelled the peanuts she removed the long stone from each date by cutting an opening with a sharp knife, then she filled each one with a peanut and rolled it in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Dates with Foundation Cream

Taking the foundation cream from the refrigerator, where she had kept it since making the day before (see page 92 for recipe), Betsey made it into small balls. These she pressed into the openings of the dates which she had cut and from which the large stones had been removed, then she rolled them in powdered sugar.

Stuffed Figs with Walnuts

This was the only kind of stuffed figs that Betsey and mother liked.

The figs were prepared by removing the stem and cutting carefully down the side, then they were pulled apart and a whole walnut inserted. Next they were pressed together and lightly dusted with powdered sugar.

Betsey called these her "convenient sweets" because, as mother said, you could make the stuffed fruits at any time: winter, summer, spring or fall.

Betsey's grandmother was keenly interested in everything her little granddaughter undertook, and this was especially true of the candy-making. Grandmother admitted that she had a "sweet tooth," and Betsey often surprised her with delicious dainties.

Betsey learned that grandmother was particularly fond of "Stuffed Fruits," and a few days before her birthday Betsey prepared some of each kind, arranged them attractively in a large box, and on the morning of the eventful day gave them to a delighted grandmother.

Grandmother was very much pleased with the pretty box and its "sweet contents." She called Betsey's gift, "the sweet surprise," because, as she said, "I never know just what each dainty contains until I begin to eat it, and, therefore, I am always being surprised."

CHAPTER VII
CREAM CANDIES—COOKED

Betsey wanted to learn how to make the cooked foundation cream, or fondant as it was called, and mother gladly taught her.

Fondant—Plain

The sugar, cream of tartar and water Betsey stirred thoroughly in the saucepan and let it slowly come to the boiling point, then she stopped stirring. After the syrup had been boiling a few minutes the sugar began to stick to the sides of the saucepan, but Betsey's mother took a piece of soft muslin, dipped it in cold water and showed Betsey just how to wash it carefully off so that not one grain, even, should fall into the syrup.

Then when Betsey tried the syrup by dropping a little in cold water she was very, very careful not to stir it. When it formed a soft ball it was ready to be taken off, and then mother told Betsey to add the vanilla and pour the syrup slowly on a large platter.

As soon as it was cool enough to handle Betsey began to knead it and work the cream until it was beautifully smooth, then she wrapped it in waxed paper, put in a covered bowl, in a cool place, for twenty-four hours.

It was then ready to make into candies just as she did with the uncooked foundation cream on page 92.

Chocolate Fondant

Putting the sugar, cream of tartar, water and chocolate into the saucepan, Betsey stirred them well together, then let slowly come to the boiling point.

After this she stopped stirring.

When the syrup had been boiling a minute or two and sugar began to stick to the sides of the saucepan, Betsey took a piece of soft muslin, dipped it in cold water and very carefully wiped off every grain, as mother had taught her.

Even when Betsey tried the syrup in cold water she took particular pains not to stir it; when it reached the soft ball stage she removed the saucepan from the fire, added the vanilla and poured slowly on to a large platter.

This she let cool, sufficiently to handle, then kneaded and worked the cream until it was very smooth.

Next she wrapped it in waxed paper, put in a covered bowl in a cool place for twenty-four hours, when it was ready to use for making candies.

Coffee Fondant

Betsey strained the coffee through a double thickness of cheesecloth, added the sugar and cream of tartar and let them slowly come to the boiling point; when the syrup had been boiling a few minutes the sugar began to stick to the sides of the saucepan. As this had to be removed very carefully so that not even a grain should fall back into the syrup Betsey took a soft piece of muslin, dipped it in cold water and with great care removed every bit.

Even when she tried the syrup to see if it had reached the soft ball stage Betsey was very particular not to stir it.

When the candy was cooked Betsey poured it slowly into a large smooth platter, waited until it was cool enough to handle, then kneaded the cream until it was very smooth. Wrapping the fondant in waxed paper, Betsey put it in a covered bowl in a cool place for twenty-four hours. It was then ready to make into candies.

Maple Sugar Fondant

The maple sugar, granulated sugar, cream of tartar and hot water were all stirred well until they began to boil, then Betsey had to watch carefully, for sugar began to stick to the sides of the saucepan. This she had to remove, which she did by following mother's careful instructions. She was very particular not to let one grain fall into the syrup and when she tried the syrup to see if it would form a soft ball if a little were dropped in cold water she took care not to stir it.

Then pouring slowly on to a large platter, Betsey let it cool until she could handle the cream, when she kneaded it till it was very smooth.

The fondant was wrapped in waxed paper, put in a covered bowl in a cool place for twenty-four hours and then made into candies.

Corn Syrup Fondant

Betsey put all the ingredients in the saucepan and let them come to the boiling point, stirring all the while, then she stopped stirring.

After the syrup had boiled a few minutes, Betsey noticed that the sugar began to stick to the sides of the saucepan. So taking a piece of soft muslin she dipped it in cold water and wiped all this sugar away so carefully that not a grain fell in the syrup.

When Betsey tried a little of the candy in cold water she was again careful not to stir the syrup, and as soon as it reached the soft ball stage she removed the saucepan from the fire and poured the candy slowly into a large platter.

Then when it was cool enough to handle Betsey kneaded till it was very smooth and creamy, wrapped in waxed paper, and put in a covered bowl in a cool place for twenty-four hours.

Betsey found that the cooked fondant would keep a long while and she liked to have some on hand so that she could make a dish of dainty candies at any time.

The following are some of the candies made with the different flavored fondants.

Plain Fondant Almond Creams

Plain Fondant Pecan Creams

Plain Fondant Walnut Creams

Plain Fondant Cherry Creams

In each case Betsey made the small balls of the plain fondant, then pressed half an almond on each side, or half a pecan, or half a walnut or half of a candied cherry.

Sometimes she put the nut or cherry inside and wrapped the fondant around it.

With the chocolate fondant she followed the same idea, making

Chocolate Fondant Almond Creams

Chocolate Fondant Pecan Creams

Chocolate Fondant Walnut Creams

Chocolate Fondant Cherry Creams

With the coffee fondant she made

Coffee Fondant Almond Creams

Coffee Fondant Pecan Creams

Coffee Fondant Walnut Creams

Coffee Fondant Cherry Creams

With the maple sugar fondant she made

Maple Sugar Fondant Almond Creams

Maple Sugar Fondant Pecan Creams

Maple Sugar Fondant Walnut Creams

Maple Sugar Fondant Cherry Creams

It was with the plain fondant that Betsey could make the greatest variety of candies. Every combination that she had made with the uncooked foundation cream (see pages 92-94) Betsey made with the plain fondant.

When she had made Neapolitan Cream Squares (see page 95) Betsey's mother had bought some of the color pastes which came from an old established firm, were quite pure and harmless, and made according to government regulations.

So Betsey had these to use, and again she used the pretty harmless colorings as told on page 95.

These color pastes last for a very long time, since very small quantities are used, just a drop or two being sufficient.

Before Betsey finished her lessons in candy making, especially when she made the fondants, mother's stock of flavorings had very much increased, for Betsey used vanilla, orange, lemon, almond, oil of peppermint, wintergreen, violet, rose and peach.

In fact Betsey became such a little expert in her candy making that Betsey's father said it seemed a foolish waste of money for him to buy the usual box of Saturday candy when he much preferred his own little daughter's concoctions.

Mother thought this too good an opportunity to let pass and suggested that he give the amount he usually spent each week to Betsey, and leave his order with her.

Father was glad to agree and Betsey was delighted and proud to think he thought her capable enough.

This enabled Betsey to form a general supply fund with which to purchase extras in the way of different kinds of nuts, candied cherries, dates, figs, raisins, etc.

Cinnamon Cream Balls

Betsey made the fondant into small balls, then rolled them lightly in the cinnamon. She was careful not to have very much as it made the cinnamon taste too strong.

Sometimes she would put a candied cherry inside the cream ball, or a piece of a walnut, or pecan or almond.

Cocoa Cream Balls

These Betsey made like the Cinnamon Cream Balls by forming the fondant into small balls and rolling in cocoa or first putting a piece of any kind of nut or candied cherry inside the cream.

Cream Mints

The plain fondant she divided into as many portions as she desired colors or flavors.

After coloring and flavoring to her liking she rolled them out on mother's marble slab until they were about a quarter of an inch thick—of course she first sprinkled the slab with sifted powdered sugar—then with a little round cutter Betsey would cut out the mints and place on waxed paper to dry.

Sometimes she would use the different nuts, candied cherries, etc., with these by placing a piece on the top of each round.

Cream Chocolate Mints

Chocolate fondant, page 108.

Cream Coffee Mints

Coffee fondant, page 109.

Cream Maple Sugar Mints

Maple sugar fondant, page 110.

Cream Corn Syrup Mints

Corn syrup fondant, page 111.

Betsey made all of the different kinds of fondants into mints by simply rolling a portion of each to one fourth inch in thickness, then cutting them out with her little round cutter.

When she wanted them to be extra nice she added the candied cherries or any kind of nut by placing a piece on top.

Betsey enjoyed celebrating any and every occasion. The days devoted to St. Valentine and St. Patrick were hailed with delight. For these gala days Betsey found the "Cream Mints" to be the very best candies to make.

A tiny heart-shaped cutter, and another cutter in the shape of a shamrock, mother found one day while shopping and these she brought home to Betsey.

You may be sure that Betsey "bobbed" more than ever when mother gave them to her.

On St. Valentine's Day Betsey remembered each member of the family, also each of her little friends, with a "sweetheart" for a Valentine. These she made from the "Cream Mints" of different colors and cut with the heart-shaped cutter.

The little cutter in the shape of the shamrock Betsey used on St. Patrick's Day to cut the "Cream Mints," which she colored a pretty green.

Bon Bons

Here was another way in which Betsey used the fondants.

One portion of plain fondant she put on one side while the remainder was divided into as many different portions as she desired different colors or flavors. When these were shaped into balls, some plain and some with pieces of nuts or candied cherries inside, she placed them on waxed paper while she put the other portions of fondant in the small double boiler over hot water to melt.

Betsey did not let the fondant get hot, but just warm, then taking the candies she had prepared she dipped each one carefully into the melted fondant (using two silver forks) and re-placed on the waxed paper to dry.

In the same manner Betsey used the "Chocolate Fondant," the "Coffee Fondant," the "Maple Sugar Fondant" and the "Corn Syrup Fondant."

Chocolate Creams

Sometimes Betsey liked the chocolate in which she dipped her creams left unsweetened, then again she would add a little of the plain fondant to the melted chocolate to take away the bitter taste. Betsey melted the chocolate by placing it in the double boiler over hot water. The number of squares she melted depended upon the number of creams she intended dipping. Usually she started by melting two squares.

The creams she prepared exactly as she did for "Bon Bons," coloring and flavoring as her fancy dictated, shaping into balls with or without the addition of nuts and candied fruits.

With two silver forks Betsey found she could handle the creams nicely, drain off all the extra chocolate and place on waxed paper to dry.

Chocolate Cream Mints

These Betsey made like the plain cream mints and other cream mints.

She rolled out the fondant so that it was about a quarter of an inch in thickness, cut with the little round cutter, then dipped each round in the melted chocolate, with two silver forks, drained off as much chocolate as possible, then placed on waxed paper to dry.

One of the neighbors, hearing of Betsey's candy making lessons, sent over a recipe for "Cocoanut Cakes," and while they were not exactly candy, Betsey tried them and found them to be delicious.

Cocoanut Cakes

Betsey beat the egg whites until very stiff, added the sugar and vanilla, then stirred in the cocoanut gradually.

Mother had a large tin sheet upon which Betsey placed waxed paper. Taking a teaspoon she dropped a spoonful of the mixture at a time, shaping each cake with the spoon to a point at the top, then baked in a moderate oven until they were a golden brown. This made about three dozen tiny cocoanut cakes.

It happened to be along the latter part of March when Betsey was making the "Cocoanut Cakes" and her "dearest friend" Dorothy was helping too.

Just as Betsey was taking the large tin sheet full from the oven, the door-bell rang.

Mother had a caller, and as she came in, she exclaimed, "My, what is it that smells so good!"

Mother, with a twinkle in her eye, escorted her caller to the kitchen, where Betsey and Dorothy, all flushed and excited, were in the act of piling the cocoanut cakes on a pretty dish covered with a piece of waxed paper.

Mother's caller could hardly believe it was possible for little girls of such tender years to be capable of making the delicious confections.

When she was told of the many kinds that they really and truly could make, she remarked, "Well, I certainly have come to just the right place."

Then mother's caller explained that she belonged to a patriotic society that was planning to have a sale in a few weeks. If Betsey and Dorothy would make her some candy she would be very grateful.

The little girls were only too delighted and mother promised to furnish the materials if they would do the work.

To this they readily agreed and many happy, busy spare moments they spent in preparing for (to them) the great occasion.

It would take too long to tell you about the different candies they made, but every bit was sold, and when, one morning, they received a written "vote of thanks" from the patriotic society, Betsey and Dorothy felt fully repaid for all their efforts.

CHAPTER VIII
SALTED NUTS

One day Betsey said, "Mother, I should like to know how to prepare salted peanuts and salted almonds," and, as usual, mother was glad to comply with her request and teach her.

Salted Peanuts

Betsey bought the peanuts that were not cooked. These she shelled, then covered with boiling water for a minute or two. Draining off the water, she removed the little brown skins easily.

Using a shallow cake tin, Betsey poured in a little olive oil (for those who do not like olive oil, a small piece of butter may be used), added the peanuts, put in a hot oven and cooked to a light golden brown.

When done she emptied the peanuts on to a piece of brown paper (this soaked up the extra oil or butter) and sprinkled lightly with salt.

Salted Almonds

These Betsey blanched as she did the peanuts by pouring boiling water over the almonds for at least a minute.

Draining off the water, she was able to remove the brown skins very easily.

The almonds were then placed in a shallow pan in which a little olive oil or butter had been melted, then baked in a hot oven to a light golden brown.

Betsey needed to watch these constantly and shake the tin occasionally that the almonds might be evenly browned.

The next step was to pour them on brown paper and sprinkle lightly with salt.

The brown paper soaked up all the extra oil or butter and made them much nicer.

Next Betsey tried

Glacé Nuts and Fruits