Historical Cooking: Honey Balls
This is a simple and rustic little candy recipe from an Australian cookbook.
Original Recipe:
Thoughts:
We liked this candy a lot! It had a really nice taste, from the honey I think. It was ridiculously easy too - I mean, three ingredients, come on! It was a little bit messy, but it only dirtied 2 dishes, a spoon, and a measuring cup, so that's okay. The candy was chewy when warm and hardened up when cool. So please, PLEASE do not bite these balls! Take it from me, it is not fun. These candies are for sucking on!
Modernized Recipe:
(Adapted from The Keeyuga Cookery Book, found in Possum Pie, Beetroot Beer And Lamingtons: Australian Family Recipes 1868-1950)
1/2 cup HONEY
1/2 cup BROWN SUGAR
1/4 cup UNSALTED BUTTER
- Butter a plate or two, or use parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan, melt together the honey, sugar, and butter. Boil for a few minutes, until it sets on a buttered plate. Let the candy cool for a few minutes and either scoop out and roll into balls or drop small amounts on the buttered plates, let cool, and roll into balls when you won't burn your hands. They will stay pliable for a while.
- Let the balls cool and harden before eating.
Note: I found this also made nice toffee (when warm anyway, not sure how it would be when cool) and could be a caramel sauce if cooked less.