Old Fashioned Oklahoma Nut Candy

 

Ingredients (Big Batch – makes about 4 pounds of candy)**

• 4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups evaporated milk
• 1 ½ cups light corn syrup
• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups chopped pecans (or walnuts)
• 1 ½ cups chopped almonds (optional)
• 1 ½ cups chopped peanuts (optional mix-in for crunch)

Instructions**

Step 1: Prepare Your Pans

• Grease two 9×13-inch pans or line them with parchment paper.
• You’ll pour the candy into these when it’s hot — have them ready!

Step 2: Cook the Syrup

1. In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, salt, and butter.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.
3. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture reaches soft ball stage (235–240°F) on a candy thermometer.

Step 3: Add Flavor and Nuts

1. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
2. Stir in vanilla extract and your nuts (pecans, almonds, and peanuts).
3. Stir briskly until the mixture begins to thicken and lose its gloss—this gives the candy its firm, creamy texture.

Step 4: Pour and Cool

1. Quickly pour the candy mixture into your prepared pans.
2. Smooth the surface with a buttered spatula.
3. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
4. Once firm, cut into small squares or rectangles.