Calling all Candy Makers

denalea

I think I may aim for making candy this year, rather than baking a ton.  What kind of chocolate do you use?

I'm thinking coconut clusters and chocolate covered pretzels. 

Tips?  Recipes?  Words of wisdom or warning?

photoelise

I would use a higher quality chocolate chip or baking chocolate squares like Ghirardelli for those recipes. I like to do caramels around Christmas...super easy and really yummy. Here is the recipe I use. 

http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/2048/aunt-emilys-soft-caramels

lishie

I've gotten chocolate supplies from make a cake in the north hills and been fairly happy with the quality. When I'm lazy, I melt down Trader Joes pounder dark chocolate bars and cover whatever I've made with that..

kris356

I second Ghirardelli. I used it last year for my buckeyes and my husband told me that they were the best ones. Make a Cake is also a great place, my aunt used to go there when she still made chocolate.

denalea

Thanks!  I was tempted to use Sarris' break ups, but it is so $$.  I'll pick up some ghriadelli chips!  And the caramels sound fantastic!

csuave

Thank you for this thread and suggestions @photoelise, @denalea, @kris356.  I made buckeyes for the first time last night and the Ghirardelli chips worked very well and tasted great!

mc0113

Peter's chocolate! You can get it from Make a Cake in the North Hills. This is what my parents have always used for Easter candy and it's delicious. It tastes like Betsy Ann's.