The Ultimate Candy Book: More than 700 Quick and Easy, Soft and Chewy, Hard and Crunchy Sweets and Treats

I paged through this book at the library and realized it was valuable enough to add to my group of cookbooks so I immediately ordered it. There are 248 pages in the book with only three chapters - Quick and Easy Sweets, Soft and Chewy Treats and Hard and Crunchy Candy. Many variations in the candy recipes are provided which is how the 700 recipe number is reached. Some reviewers took issue with this, but for me it is not a problem because there is much imagination in many of the additions that I would not have considered.Granted there are some easy recipes that would be great to make with children (the entire first chapter,) but complex candy recipes are also included. This is a clearly printed, easy to read black and white, no-nonsense cookbook, comprehensive in nature and chock-full of ideas. There are NO photographs, normally a point of contention with me but in this situation I had no problem. Most candy is pretty straightforward in appearance, which is not the case with many types of cooking/baking - so although photographs would have been nice, their absence did not detract. Where appearance is unusual, Weinstein took pains to clearly describe how to create the candy.High altitude candy making is a problem I have repeatedly wrestled with and although it is not the subject of this comprehensive book, I found the author's (Bruce Weinstein) suggestion to test the candy thermometer to find the boiling point very smart. Perhaps this seems obvious, but it never occurred to me, and ultimately, all that matters is what each thermometer registers. I was using another author's suggestion -- subtract fifteen degrees from any temperature given to adjust for altitude -- but Weinstein's method is much more accurate in candy making where there is little room for error.Also, I appreciated the reminder of how weather affects candy making - high humidity and high temperatures. Further, the advice for treating burns is evidence of the thoroughness of the material. That is the point - the author makes an effort to cover every eventuality in the candy making process.I prepared the Burnt Sugar Fudge and the Mocha Buttercream Truffles (a variation from the basic Buttercream Truffle recipe) and was very pleased with the results. I plan on trying the Infused Truffles. The basic recipe is infused with black tea and variations include infusing with basil, Earl Grey tea, sliced ginger, juniper berries and tarragon. Every time I look through the book I find another recipe I want to try -- some fun some sophisticated -- Gummy Bears with variations, Halvah, Chewing Gum, Buttermilk Pralines (one variation includes Tabasco sauce), Chocolate Cherries with variations that include adding a small piece of jalapeno pepper, spiked cherries (vodka, kirsch or brandy) and on and on. Whether the user only has 20 minutes or a couple of hours this book has recipes to suit any situation. This is a book I know I will use again and again.

When I first started making candy about 8 years ago, I was at my wit's end to find a book that had excellent instructions AND quality recipes with quality ingredients- no cheap-o shortcuts. When I ran across this book, I knew I had to have it. The hazelnut brittle is incredible! In fact, I truly can't name a recipe that isn't great. I also love that he proves multiple variations on basic recipes so that once you master the technique and basic recipe, you can start tweaking flavors. My one complaint would be that there are NO pictures. I'm a visual person and pictures really help me figure out what I'm doing. That said, I'm not even going to ding this book with less starts than a stellar "5 stars" because it is still an amazing book. Any candy maker, novice or experienced, should have this candy making bible in their collection.

I have been making candy for almost 20 years, since I was a child. I found this book to be helpful, even the first chapter, even though I'm not what most people would consider a beginner. There were still a lot of fun candies that I had never thought to try, or didn't know existed! There are a ton of great recipes in this book, although, as another reviewer mentioned, most of the "700 recipes" are simple variations on the main recipe. Usually as simple as using a different flavor or type of chocolate. Sometimes the variations were so simple it seemed they should not have been included. Again, just changing chocolate types should be a no brainer. If you know how to make milk chocolate PB cups, you also know you can make them with white chocolate or dark. The author stating that you can make either choice should not be included in the recipe count, but including simple variations to each recipe is how the advertised recipe count is achieved. Some of the variations are fun and helpful though, since we all don't think alike, we're not all going to think of the same flavor combinations. I'm not complaining that the variations are included, so don't get me wrong, just that it would have been more accurate to market fewer recipes. I would have given the book 5 stars if it weren't for the fact that they advertised "700 recipes" and only gave us a generous handful of true recipes, with hundreds of variations. That's sort of shady marketing, in my opinion. I don't need to be tricked into buying your book, if it's good enough. I still would have bought this book if it would have said "over 300 recipes" which might be closer to the truth. There are a lot of old fashioned recipes that I didn't even know existed, but am now looking forward to trying! Such as "sugar plums." I always heard the line in the Christmas story about "visions of sugar plums" but I never had any idea what the heck a sugar plum actually was and why all the children were dreaming about them. They also sound horribly disgusting, but after reading the recipe, I'm actually interested in trying them! The book has no pictures to speak of, but if a recipe sounds good or intriguing, just do a google image search for the candy name and there's a picture! That's what I've been doing :) Overall, I recommend this book to anyone, as long as you have an interest in candy making!

This is the greatest book. I found it originally in the library and liked it so much i looked for it at amazon and found it for cheap. Love it! Tried the pecan pralines so far, and the hints it gives are really good- like use a high pan or it'll boil over and don't stir too much or it gets crystally. i am planning on trying out a bunch of recipes before Christmas to decide what to make for gifts and for myself! you won't be sorry with this book.

I love this book it teaches you how you can be creative. Many different types of candies u can make.

"The Ultimate Candy Book" by Bruce Weinstein. Recipes are excellent and easy to follow instructions. This book is going to help me with my Christmas candy gifts. Amazon is an excellent source for internet shopping. I am pleased with all the products bought on your site.

Making candy it goes to my granddaughter

When I had received this book my wife gave me the look and said "anouther cookbook". I smiled and nodded as she began to flip through the pages and she started listing off recipes of interest. By the time she closed the book she began talking about the recipes we are going to be trying this Christmas season. This book is now in a good home.

So many recipes and variations for every kind of candy imaginable. I get excited just looking at it!

The only candy recipe cookbook you will ever need.... I Love It!!!!