Servings: About 60 small pieces
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Cooling Time: 1–2 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Old-Fashioned Creamy Nut Candy
This Oklahoma Nut Candy is a rich, old-fashioned Southern treat made with caramelized sugar, cream, butter, and crunchy pecans or walnuts. It turns into soft, creamy little squares that melt in your mouth.
Perfect for holidays, cookie trays, or gifting.
Ingredients
- 6 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts
How to Make Oklahoma Nut Candy
1. Prepare Pan
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Set aside.
2. Melt 2 Cups Sugar
In small saucepan, cook 2 cups sugar over low heat.
Stir until melted and amber colored.
Takes about 20 minutes.
3. Heat Remaining Sugar and Cream
In large pot combine:
- 4 cups sugar
- Heavy cream
Heat on low until warm.
4. Combine
Slowly pour melted sugar into cream mixture.
Stir carefully.
Mixture will bubble.
5. Cook to 244°F
Cook over medium heat.
Use candy thermometer.
Cook until mixture reaches 244°F.
244^\circ\mathrm{F}
This is called the soft-ball stage.
6. Add Butter and Vanilla
Remove from heat.
Stir in:
- Baking soda
- Butter
- Vanilla
7. Rest 20 Minutes
Do not stir.
Let mixture sit.
8. Add Nuts and Stir
Add chopped pecans or walnuts.
Stir hard until candy loses shine and turns matte.
9. Pour and Cool
Spread in prepared pan.
Cool completely.
Cut into squares.
Tips
- Toast nuts first for extra flavor.
- Work quickly once candy turns matte.
- Store in airtight container.
Final Thoughts
This is the kind of old-fashioned candy that disappears fast at family gatherings.
Creamy, buttery, and full of crunchy nuts, it tastes like something straight from grandma’s kitchen.
