:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cream-butter-sugar-0622-f6108609557d491fa54a22c177b483ed.jpg)
Two types of treats come together in familiar candy-cane-style stripes. Our recipe calls for layering the nougat on top of the caramel on a baking sheet, then slicing and twisting the two together.
Ingredients
Caramel
-
Safflower oil, for baking sheet and knife
-
1 cup heavy cream
-
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
-
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
-
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
-
¼ teaspoon coarse salt
-
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Nougat
-
½ cup nonfat milk powder
-
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
-
1 ¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
-
¾ cup light corn syrup
-
1 large egg white, room temperature
-
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
-
2 ounces white chocolate, melted and allowed to cool
Directions
-
Caramel: Lightly brush bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch rimmed baking sheet with oil. Line with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on long sides; lightly brush parchment with oil.
-
Bring cream, granulated sugar, butter, and corn syrup to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat to medium-high; continue cooking, without stirring but swirling pan occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately remove from heat; stir in salt and vanilla.
-
Pour caramel onto prepared baking sheet; spread with an offset spatula. Let stand, uncovered, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
-
Nougat: Sift together milk powder and confectioners' sugar into a bowl.
-
Place 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking, without stirring but swirling pan occasionally, until a candy thermometer registers 250 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, as sugar starts to boil, beat together egg white and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar on medium speed until stiff but not dry peaks form. Reduce speed to low; as soon as sugar syrup reaches 250 degrees, carefully pour down side of bowl. Increase speed to high and continue beating until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes more. Beat in vanilla, then chocolate. Fold in milk-powder mixture. (Nougat will appear grainy.)
-
With a rubber spatula, scrape nougat onto caramel; smooth with an offset spatula. Let stand, uncovered, until completely cool and crystallized, 8 to 12 hours.
-
Using parchment, lift candy slab onto a cutting board, keeping parchment underneath. With an oiled knife, cut into 9-by-1/2-inch strips; twist into spiral ropes. To serve, cut strips into 2-inch pieces, if desired. Candies can be wrapped individually in waxed paper and stored in an airtight container up to 1 week.