Comments on: Aunt Bill’s Brown Candy

By: Colleen Hosford

Colleen Hosford — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 22:58:46 +0000

I first tasted Aunt Bill’s when I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There was a lady who made it every Christmas and would sell it in a quart jar to her regular customers. She never gave the recipe out that I knew of. We loved it and each had a few pieces each Christmas. A few years later after I was married, a family friend said she had the recipe and shared it. My husband and I have made it every Christmas for over 50 years. It does take both of us when the melted sugar has to be slowly poured into the other mixture. Our recipe is almost the same except mine called for 1/4 tsp. soda and only 2 cups of chopped pecans. The process is almost the same except after removing from heat and adding the soda, we need to stir vigorously as it foams up. Then add the butter allowing it to melt as you stir. Cool for 20 min. and then add the vanilla and start beating. In later years I have been using my hand electric mixer for most of the time. When it starts looking like it’s close to stopping, I beat the rest of the time by hand.
It does take time but it is so good and well worth it! I’m glad to know others enjoy it as well.

By: Lyndye Goodnoh

Lyndye Goodnoh — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:13:18 +0000

This is the most delicious carmel-like yummy recipe. I have seen the old version of this recipe from the Oklahoman and it was very hard to follow. Your more user-friendly directions made it easier to understand. It took 2 of us to accomplish it Christmas Eve, but it was totally worth it! I did, however, need a larger saucepan than just a medium one. When I was in the “don’t stir while it reaches 242 degrees” stage, it over flowed some. But it still was great! Thanks!

By: Jack

Jack — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 18:53:52 +0000

Glad to hear there is interest in the recipe. @TheFrozen5, it would be awesome if you could scan that recipe. I’d love to see it.

@debsmith124, you’re more than welcome.

I uploaded a picture of the candy today!!

By: debsmith124

debsmith124 — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:40:39 +0000

I was so excited to see this recipe. My grandmother used to make this candy at Christmas time and we all loved it. I have a copy of her handwritten version of the recipe and it is exactly the same except for the amount of baking soda. Her version calls for 1/4 teaspoon. I had to call my mother and tell her about finding the recipe. It’s wonderful to know a little more about the origins of the recipe. Grandma always called it Oklahoma Brown Candy. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

By: thefrozen5

thefrozen5 — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:56:16 +0000

I have a original copy of this recipe from the Oklahoman and it’s a bit different. My Grandmother in law made it for her brothers during World War Two and sent it for a taste of home, Blackwell Oklahoma.
Regards,
Christian

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:12:57 +0000

Hey Shari, that’s a really good question. I suppose the last part, where you are trying to beat the sheen off of the candy could be done in a mixer, but that mixer better have some serious ooomph. Otherwise you could just enlist some family to help stir.

All of the other stirring has to be done by hand.

Jack

By: shari

shari — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 23:10:22 +0000

Um, do you think some of this stirring could be done in a stand mixer? I’m not sure my wimpy forearms could take it!