Mommaw Candy Recipe

memory lane

Apologies for the long story , but the story is as delicious as the candy. From the time I was a very little girl, I helped my Mommaw make what she called Plantation Bars. They’re basically a foolproof little candy with only 4 ingredients and no candy thermometer, that she made every Christmas in HUGE batches. About 15 years ago, she announced that she wasn’t going to make them or put up a tree anymore, and my family revolted. So, every December, I drive to her house, put up her Christmas tree, string lights along her front porch and beloved flower bed, and make a few batches of candy.

Origin of Mommaw Candy: My younger sister started making them for a yearly Valentine’s Day bake sale with her fellow hairdressers to raise money for SIDS, and things got interesting from there. She started stirring other stuff like heart-shaped sprinkles, then they started popping up at elementary school Easter parties in pastel colors, or with pastel M&Ms mixed in. The local high school band started selling them, with jimmies in school colors mixed in, at fundraisers, but the name of these treats is now known as “Mommaw Candy” in several surrounding counties. This is especially special to my sisters and I because my grandparents were known as “Poppaw” and “Mommaw” to everyone we grew up with. It’s comforting knowing that she has this kind of legacy because very few of the kids around here who love Mommaw Candy actually know who MOMMAW is (even if they actually know her.)

Upcoming Event: This weekend, I’ll be making a batch of Mommaw Candy with maroon jimmies for my son’s graduation party. When he requested the candy, he mused that it’s funny that it’s called Mommaw candy, and our Mommaw used to actually make it. Our education system at work, ladies and gentlemen. Common sense is not taught.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 packages of almond bark blocks
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1-2 cups roasted peanuts (I like salted, she used half and half salted/unsalted)
• 5-6 cups Rice Krispies
• OPTIONAL: a few handfuls of stir-ins (jimmies, M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, etc)

Instructions:

1. Lay out several sheets of wax paper or foil (dull side up).
2. Melt the almond bark. In the old days, we used a large pot on the stove, but a large plastic mixing bowl in the microwave is faster and helpful during cleanup. Do it slowly, either on low on the stove or in small increments in the microwave, stirring often until smooth.
3. Stir in peanut butter until it’s melted and the mixture is smooth.
4. Stir in remaining ingredients.
5. Working quickly, drop candy by the spoonful onto wax paper or foil.
6. Allow it to cool and harden, then transfer them to airtight containers.

Note: Jimmies are another name for sprinkles.