Heavy Cream And 2 Nuts Are The Start To An Easy Old-School Candy That Deserves More Love

Any combination of nuts and sugar is bound to taste good, but Oklahoma nut candy is especially cherished by Southerners. The rich, fudgy confection with a praline-like flavor is an old-school staple served in the state around the holidays. Also known as Aunt Bill's Brown Candy, the recipe traces back to 1936, when it was first published in a local Oklahoma paper. Some variations have been created along the way, but the basics are still the same: heavy cream, two types of nuts, and a few other pantry staples.

Tasting Table's Oklahoma nut candy recipe calls for walnuts and pecans for depth. Our recipe developer suggests cooking down the sugar very slowly for a creamier finish and deeper flavor. Simply melt some sugar on low and then combine it with heavy cream and more sugar before increasing the heat, stirring in a little baking soda and then adding butter and vanilla. The temperature aspect is key here, as if the mixture gets too hot, it will harden into brittle. Our recipe developer also likes to allow the mixture to rest for about 20 minutes before stirring in the nuts. 

Toasting the nuts is also key — this intensifies the flavor and makes them crunchier. Do this in a dry skillet on the stove for about five minutes, or until they're fragrant and golden brown. You can do this before or after you prepare the candy mixture, but doing so after will help you kill time while you wait for it to rest. 

You can use different nuts if you like. Peanuts or almonds would work, and macadamia or hazelnuts could be a nice twist. Pour, spread, and leave the candy to cool in a lined baking pan for at least a few hours before slicing for the best results. It's very sturdy, so you can expect it to stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks in an airtight container or for a couple of months in the freezer. 

Make sure you use granulated sugar — brown sugar will create a different texture. The cream can be swapped out for milk, though if you don't have it on hand. If you want to upgrade the candies, drizzle some chocolate over the top to mimic the flavor of a caramel chocolate turtle. You could also try adding a little cinnamon or nutmeg to the nuts for a festive twist. 

A touch of salt can also bring out the sweetness further — add it to the mixture with the baking soda or sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top. One of the joys of these candies is that they are rustic and old-fashioned, so maybe don't doctor them too much. Save your creativity for old-fashioned toffee, classic fudge recipes, and other easy confections for candy makers.