Candy Jewels Recipes

CANDY GEMS

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 2 tablespoons corn syrup to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat until syrup registers 300 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon extract and 1 or 2 drops food coloring using a rubber spatula. (Mixture will steam and bubble when liquid is added, so be careful.) Transfer mixture to a liquid measuring cup, and let the bubbles settle slightly, about 15 seconds.
• Slowly pour mixture into gem candy molds just below the top. Let cool until candies harden, about 30 minutes. Remove candies from molds. Repeat with remaining 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons corn syrup, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon extract, and 1 or 2 drops food coloring (same color as first batch).
• Let second batch cool slightly, about 3 minutes. Top with first batch of hardened candies, flat sides together, matching sizes and shapes. Let harden and cool completely before removing from molds.

JEWEL NUT BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into a lightly greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake 15 minutes. , In a large bowl, whisk together egg and salt; stir in remaining brown sugar. Stir in nuts, cherries and chocolate chips. Spoon evenly over crust., Bake until topping is set, 20-25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

PECAN CANDIED JEWELS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
• In large bowl, beat butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar and the granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium-high speed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. On medium-low speed, beat in apple juice, flour, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Stir in nuts and fruit until incorporated (mixture will be stiff and sticky).
• On cookie sheet, drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart.
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack; cool 10 minutes.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat all glaze ingredients to boiling; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Brush over tops of cookies.

ISOMALT JEWELS

Steps:

• Additional Tools Needed:.
• Plastic or glass jewels you want to replicate.
• Food-safe Moldable putty.
• toothpicks.
• hot glue gun.
• HOW TO:.
• I recently came upon the wonder that is isomalt! I've been making my own candy glass for years, and while I'm glad I have that experience under my belt, isomalt is worlds easier to work with and nowhere near as finicky! It's available to order online or pick up at your local cake supply store. If you're on a budget or don't have time to pick up isomalt, please see my candy glass recipe (in the ingredient section under Hocus Pocus Cottage Cake) for a homemade substitute!
• I will say the same danger applies here as candy glass and you should use extreme caution when working with either. This liquid is EXTREMELY hot! I made the mistake of working in bare feet, and a single drop caused a really unpleasant burn! So long sleeves, thick pants, eye protection, shoes, and gloves are what I recommend! You may look like a lunatic, but who cares!?.
• Instructions:.
• Break toothpicks in half and using your hot glue gun adhere to the backs of your jewels to use as a handle when pressing the shapes into your mold.
• Follow molding putty directions by mixing equal parts of the two putty's and rolling out with a rolling pin. Press jewels into the putty and remove immediately to create molds. Allow to set (About 30 minutes or so).
• Put 2 cups isomalt crystals into a pot and melt at medium heat, stirring occasionally until all crystals are dissolved, and the mixture is bubbling. Remove from heat and add coloring. Wait till the mixture is clear before using.
• Once ready, using a small metal spoon or measure, pour tiny amounts into your jewel molds one at a time. Use a toothpick or needle to sharpen or perfect edges.
• Allow to cool. Remove from molds and apply directly to your cookie! I adhered mine by resting the jewels in the places I wanted and piped royal icing as brackets to fasten. Once the royal icing had dried completely, I used gold luster dust to paint the brackets gold giving them a fairly realistic jewel look.