Some Days Like These and Candy Shots
This post below first appeared on the Rantings of an Amateur Chef site www.rantingchef.com where I used to do some guest posts. I thought I should re-publish my guest appearances on my own site too. It’s a cool recipe that’d be handy in these coming up warmer days. Hope you like it and make it at home!
Let’s just face it, some days are better than others. So, when those other days happen, we seek rest, comfort and a bit of indulgence (quite often all three). Most of us have a set of coping strategies, what works and what doesn’t. And, as far as foods are concerned, there are some that are just natural “stress killers”.
Chocolate comes to mind when we think of a great comfort and indulgence, as well as ice cream, cheesecake – whatever it is that’s your favorite. We keep a stash of peanut M&Ms and potato chips at work for “immediate medication” after those less than pleasant patient interactions. A nice chilled beer or Margarita will do the trick as well but after the work hours.
So, to cut down on all the possible choices of stress relieving foods, we are basically talking about sugar and alcohol. Even better if they are combined, especially in something as innocent looking as candy. You can then “medicate” yourself without having to answer to any prying eyes. They’re also excellent if you’re trying to celebrate something and want to have a boozy dessert. Actually, they’re good no matter what the occasion is so just try them! 🙂
What’s Cooking This Week
Making hard candy may look complicated but it’s not, it’s really just sugar and syrup. It’s all about making sure the boiling liquid reaches the hard candy stage, so, you’ll need a candy thermometer and shot molds, and a lot of patience, plus steady hands not to burn yourself and pour it out quickly. These candy shots are like a tiny sweet version of a moonshine drink, packed with liquored cherries inside the candy and holding either whipped amaretto cream or an actual shot of liquor. You just can’t go wrong with this recipe, not when sugar and alcohol are involved! Plus you can eat the actual shot glass too, what could be better?!
Cherry Cordial Candy Shot Glasses with Cherry Amaretto Whipped Cream
The ingredients list is not complicated, you probably have most, if not, all of them at home. Moonshine cherries are packed in liquor. If you want to use some other cherries or any other fruit, it’s fine too.
In a metal pan, combine water, sugar and corn syrup, stir until sugar is dissolved over medium heat. Insert a candy thermometer and let it boil, without stirring, until the mixture reaches Hard Crack stage at 295F degrees.
While it’s boiling, brush inside the candy molds with a light vegetable oil. Also cut moonshine cherries into smaller pieces, small enough to be inserted inside the sides and bottom of candy shot glasses.
When the mix is at the Hard Crack stage, remove from heat and stir in 2 Tbsps of liquor moonshine cherries were in (do not heat). Working quickly before the candy mix hardens, pour some into each mold, insert cherry pieces on the sides and bottom and cover with more candy mix to the very top. Let them harden for several hours and then carefully remove from the molds.
To make the cream, whip heavy cream until almost done, then add Maraschino cherries liquid and Amaretto and finish whipping.
You can fill these candy shot glasses with straight amaretto or any other alcohol you want. Put a cherry on top and you got yourself a drink. And you can eat the shot glass afterwards too.
Or better yet, pour in some amaretto and top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Sugar, liquor, cherries and sweet cream – what could be better to cure any stressful day blues?! A couple of these babies and all your troubles are forgotten!
Cherry Cordial Candy Shots Glasses with Cherry Amaretto Whipped Cream
Ingredients
- Makes 8 small candy shot glasses:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup of water
- 8 moonshine cherries
- Whipped cream:
- 2 Tbspoons of moonshine cherry liquor
- 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 1 Tbspoon of Amaretto
- 2 Tbspoons of Maraschino cherries liquid
- 4-8 Maraschino cherries
- Sprinkles optional
- Candy thermometer
- Candy/ice shot glasses molds
- Oil for molds
Instructions
- In a metal pan, combine water, sugar and corn syrup, stir until sugar is dissolved over medium heat. Insert a candy thermometer and let it boil, without stirring, until the mixture reaches Hard Crack stage at 295F degrees
- While it’s boiling, brush inside the candy molds with a light vegetable oil. Also cut moonshine cherries into smaller pieces, small enough to be inserted inside the sides and bottom of candy shot glasses.
- When the mix is at Hard Crack stage, remove from heat and stir in 2 Tbsps of liquor moonshine cherries were in (do not heat). Working quickly before the candy mix hardens, pour some into each mold, insert cherry pieces on the sides and bottom and cover with more candy mix to the very top. Let them harden for several hours.
- When the candy shots are ready, carefully remove them from molds.
- To make the cream, whip heavy cream until almost done, then add Maraschino cherries liquid and Amaretto and finish whipping.
- Pour some amaretto in and pipe whipped cream inside each candy shot glass, decorate with sprinkles. Or fill each glass with liquor of your choice and top with maraschino cherry.