Let me start by saying something I absolutely do not like at all. And I know, what an inappropriate day (of all days) to be disliking something, the day of love … However, I really don’t like it at all when a Pinterest pin goes no where.
More times than I’d like to recall (I’d hate to confess how often I use Pinterest 😉 …) I’ve gone to click through on a project I pinned and it’s a dead link. That makes me sad.
Normally I am able to find the link through a little digging, but in this particular instance I couldn’t. 😦 (So if anyone comes across the original source, please let me know!)
Now that I got my dislike out of the way, let me share a few things I love:
I love Pinterest. (I really do). And I love my husband. And he loves Maple Nut Goodies.
Have you ever heard of Maple Nut Goodies? I never had before I met my husband. But he introduced them to me as his absolute favorite candy.
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They are little maple-flavored nuggets coated in a butterscotch layer. The Bach version of the candy is okay-ish. Kind of plastic tasting in my opinion.
However, insert my idea to surprise my amazing husband with a baggie of homemade Maple Nut Goodies.
Normally recipes are only a Google click away. However, searching for a Maple Nut Goodies recipe was not that simple for me. After a little digging I did find a very confusing and jumbled pin with a recipe and I just decided to give it a try (worst case scenario I’m out a few dollars on evaporated milk and confectioner’s sugar … no big deal really). You can see that original pin here.
Well I changed it some, and let me tell you … these are amazing. They put the cheap plastic-y grocery-store version ones to shame. Rich with thick, sweet tones of maple. These are so good (I definitely had to avoid eating them the entire time I was making them.)
Also the nugget layer is very thick and easy to mold. I could easily see using these for other holidays (Christmas, Easter, even birthday shapes!) … or possibly even rolling the nugget layer out on some parchment paper and using small cookie cutters to shape them.
Now this was also a very messy recipe, and I under-bought butterscotch chips (I also noticed how many ingredients were in the butterscotch chips (yikes!) and might see if I can find a recipe to make my own next time …)
Nevertheless, despite their lack of beauty, they did not lack at all in taste. 🙂 My husband said I have ruined him for the cheap, bagged kind (that’s good as far as I’m concerned!).
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So here is the recipe (note the adjustments I made … no way am I mixing in wax to my food … the coconut oil probably makes them less stable to warm temperatures, but just store them in the fridge 🙂 ):
Maple Nut Goodies Candy Recipe (for Valentine’s Day)
For the Nugget:
- 1 1/2-2 lbs Confectioners Sugar
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
- 2 Tbsp natural maple flavoring
- 1 lb chopped pecans
For the Coating:
- 1 lb butterscotch pieces
- 1/4 cup Coconut Oil (give or take)
- If using whole pecans (because they are cheaper, anyone else do this? lol), run the pecans through a food processor until small pieces but be careful not to turn them into flour (or almond butter for that matter! 🙂 )
- Mix together the almond pieces, maple flavoring, condensed milk, butter, and 1 1/2 lbs of the confectioners sugar. Add more sugar if the mixture is too sticky or does not hold together well.
- Taste this. Yes, that’s a step. It’s amazing.
- Once the mixture is cool enough to handle, form into balls (or fun, seasonal shapes) on lined baking sheets.
- Place the baking sheets in the freezer for an hour.
- Near the end of the freezing time, melt the butterscotch pieces with the coconut oil in a double broiler (or a regular pan, just use very low heat and stir constantly).
- Dunk the frozen nugget pieces in the candy, using a brush to smooth out the coating. Place back in the freezer for 15-30 minutes to freeze up.
- Put in a bag and surprise someone you love 🙂
Ps. This recipe makes a HUGE batch. I mean a ton of candies. Enough to cover nearly 2 baking sheets. So feel free to half it, though I don’t know what you would do with 1/2 a can of condensed milk. You could be like Pooh Bear and have it on some toast with honey I suppose though 🙂 That might make for a very fun Valentine’s tea party 😉
Clearly they were a hit:
And I couldn’t resist this picture of my sweet little lady! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Nigel Gildon editor:Nigel Gildon is the editor of Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou: Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years and has a passion for helping new authors get their work into the hands of readers. 63 Liberty Street * Springfield, MA 01003
