Candy Is Magic

March 20, 2017
Curl, the owner of the Quin Candy Company in Portland, Oregon, is passionate on the subject of candy, and her cookbook promises to teach readers the behind-the-scenes sleight of hand necessary to make great candy at home. Curl uses real ingredients (such as fruit flavorings that come from actual fruit) in gumdrops, caramels, and lollipops. People who are timid about candy-making will find Curl’s detailed instructions encouraging. Her lesson on making caramel—a task that can put fear into the heart of even the most stalwart cook—is worth the price of the book. Readers can learn to make lollipops, gumdrops and marshmallows, all using fruit purees made from scratch. And on days when candy making seems like too much, there are simpler recipes, including homemade colored and flavored sugar sprinkles, peanut butter hot fudge sauce, and a pan of s’mores made with homemade marshmallows. Balancing kid-friendly lollipop flavors (peach, caramel) are Pinot Gris and rosé ones for those with more mature palates. Unique flavor combinations can be found throughout the book, and include coffee, orange, and smoked salt caramels, and iced tea and lemonade gumdrops. Curl’s enthusiasm for her craft makes this cookbook a pleasure to read; she is the ideal coach for would-be candy makers.

Starred review from January 1, 2017

Curl is the owner of Portland-based candy company Quin (quincandy.com), which she opened after successful stints as a marketer and bakery owner. Writing in refreshingly plain language, she deftly instructs readers in the fickle yet rewarding art of small batch candy making. Her recipes (e.g., cherry honey vanilla lollipops, popcorn caramels) are simple and well executed, and most get an extra boost of flavor from roasted fruit purees, infused syrups, and other homemade components. Crafty confectioners will love Curl's presentation suggestions, which cover how to make tiny pinatas and "candy pow wows" (gift-wrapped paper tubes stuffed with candy and confetti). VERDICT A treasury of uncommonly creative candies and striking sweets.

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