The other day, we went on a hunt.
A Big Hunk Hunt.
We failed miserably, and came home without even one.
They certainly aren’t my favorite candy bar . . . but the hubbie really likes them.
He doesn’t love anything sweet – except for me of course.
hee hee.
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So . . . I went on a hunt of my own.
I found Homemade Big Hunk recipes!
Now,
according to the Big Hunk expert . . . these homemade versions are MUCH BETTER!
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I’ve made both recipes now, and they are BOTH really good.
However, the easier version with the Marshmallow fluff is our favorite.
That really surprised me!
In fact . . . I’ve made that version twice now.
I added Chocolate to the top of half .
LOOK . . . LOOK BARS!
These really are fast & simple to make.
The wrapping is the time consuming part.
Start by buttering a large sheet pan, and scatter a bottle of Dry Roasted Peanuts over the butter.
You will need 3 small containers of fluff, or one large and one small.
Place the Marshmallow fluff, butter chunks, salt & vanilla in the bowl.
Yes….I’m not using the brand FLUFF . . . the Marshmallow cream works just as well.
It’s o.k. just add it now, even though the recipe tells you a bit differently.
Set it aside while you make the syrup mixture.
It is sugar & Karo Syrup . . . that’s it.
Note: I also buttered the sides of my Old pot.
Stir to combine and place on Medium High Heat. Stir, stir, Stir.
Once it comes to a boil, clip a candy thermometer to the edge of your pan.
Let it boil until the thermometer reaches 280 degrees.
Remove the pan from the heat, and let it sit for two minutes.
DO NOT STIR DURING THE TWO MINUTE WAIT!
Pour the hot syrup over the top of the fluff and butter.
Important:
DO NOT SCRAPE THE PAN – JUST POUR IT OUT UNTIL IT STOPS POURING – AND DISCARD WHAT’S LEFT.
Stir – stir – Stir, until it’s smooth and all blended together.
See . . . mine still needs some stirring, but I stopped to take a picture!
Once it’s nice & smooth, pour it evenly over the nuts.
You could also leave the nuts out – and add those cut up ju ju candies.
That’s also quite good!
If you plan to add chocolate to the top, do it while the candy is still warm.
or,
You can melt a large bar of chocolate like I did . . . or simply melt some chocolate chips.
Once the candy is set, cut into squares and wrap in wax paper.
Store in a container with a lid, and you’ll have perfect bite size BIG HUNKS!
Yum. Yum. and more Yum!
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BIG HUNK NOUGAT CANDY BAR
INGREDIENTS
- Part 1:
- 1 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 1/4 c. light corn syrup
- 1/4 c. water
- 3 small egg whites
- Part 2:
- 3 c. sugar
- 3 c. light corn syrup
- 4 t. vanilla
- 1/2 c. melted butter
- 1 t. salt
- 3 c. redskin peanuts (grandma uses slivered almonds)
DIRECTIONS
- To make part one, combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Continue to cook at low boil to the soft ball stage (238°).
- When syrup reaches 230°, beat egg whites until they stand in peaks.
- When syrup reaches 238°, add it in a fine stream to egg whites, beating constantly with electric mixer on medium speed, until mixture becomes thick and is lukewarm.
- To make part two, combine sugar and corn syrup in a 4 qt. heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, to the soft crack stage (275°).
- Meanwhile, place part 1 in a lightly buttered large heavy bowl. Pour hot candy (part 2) over it all at once. Mix with heavy wooden spoon. Slowly add vanilla and melted butter, continuing to stir. Add salt and nuts and mix again. Turn onto a well buttered jelly roll pan. Cut and wrap with waxed paper when cooled.
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by Get Off Your Butt and BAKE
janett - Help! I’m wondering why my sugar mixture stuck to the sides of my mixing bowl.. Does anyone have a idea or suggestion? Thanks
****Hi Janett,
I always butter the sides of my pot. Also….make sure you don’t stir at all, during the two minute wait!
You can also butter the sides of your mixing bowl if you had problems with it sticking.
JonnaDecember 14, 2012 – 10:55 am
Get Off Your Butt and BAKE! - Thanks Andrea!
JonnaDecember 12, 2012 – 7:16 pm
andrea - We’ve been making these candies since I can remember for a christmas treat. Parchment paper always seems to stick less then waxed paper. Also don’t wrap them on a humid day
December 12, 2012 – 12:10 pm
Ashley - Big hunks are one of my Dad’s favorite Candies so I made this recipe for him and LOVED them! The only problem was that the wax paper kept sticking to the candy, which got kind of annoying (luckily my dad “suffered” through them anyway). Did you have this problem? Should I use a different brand of wax paper? This was my first time to make a wrapped candy, any suggestion would be awesome.September 27, 2012 – 6:59 pm
Jonna - Hi Daylee,
Great idea!August 1, 2012 – 6:41 pm
Daylee Richadrs - This look amazing! I’m definitely going to make these soon, but I was wondering if Butter Toffee Nuts would be a tasty substitute. Any ideas?August 1, 2012 – 6:31 pm
Jonna - Hi Esha,
I haven’t tried this recipe with honey, but it probably would work just fine.
JonnaJuly 24, 2012 – 10:26 am
esha - can u use honey instead of karo syrupJuly 24, 2012 – 10:22 am
Kim - Have you ever had an ABBA ZABBA? It’s like big hunks but with creamy peanut butter in the middle instead of peanuts. I think it is even made by the same company. I wonder if this would work that way. Also, FYI, you can get almost any candy bar at Winco in I.F.July 1, 2012 – 1:13 pm
Jonna - Hi Janelle,
I’ve tried both, and both work equally the same.
Use Fluff if you can find it…..if not use the other.
For the record, I can’t tell any difference.
JonnaJune 29, 2012 – 10:28 am
Janelle - For the record, what you have in your pictures is NOT marshmallow fluff. Fluff is a brand name, and is a similar though different product.June 29, 2012 – 8:08 am
Jonna - Hi Jeanne,
Yes…they taste almost identical. I cooked my syrup to 280 degrees exactly. Make sure that you test your thermometer.
My second batch seemed a little stiffer than the first, but I still did 280.
They are also really good topped with melted chocolate for a LOOK bar.
JonnaJune 29, 2012 – 7:13 am
Jeanne - I cannot wait to try this. Big Hunk is my favorite candy. Does this recipe have the same properties as the original? Chewy but also breaks when you smack it on the table…June 29, 2012 – 6:27 am
Kristin - Big Hunks are my all time favorite!!! I’m so excited to see this recipe today and I can’t wait to make it! Thanks so much for sharing!June 29, 2012 – 6:14 am
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar - This is such a fun sweet treat! Yum!June 29, 2012 – 4:25 am
Dottie - I have such a sweet tooth lately and this will take care of that I am sure!June 29, 2012 – 2:03 am
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes - My hubs is a Big Hunk lover. I should make this for him.June 28, 2012 – 8:50 pm
Lynn - Thanks for doing all the research and sharing what you find is the best. I’ve never heard of this candy bar before. Sounds and looks amazing. Going to try this for sure this summer.June 28, 2012 – 4:08 pm