Macadamia Nut Chews

Chocolate-dipped, buttery caramels with chopped macadamia nuts.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 teaspoon butter
4 ounces macadamia nuts, roughly chopped
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup light corn syrup
Pinch salt
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup heavy cream, room temperature
1/2 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 pound milk chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vegetable oil - divided use

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with aluminum foil, allowing the foil to hang over the edges of the pan. Grease the pan with 1 teaspoon of butter.
2. Place the nuts in a 9-inch round cake pan and place in the oven. Toast until golden brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. If you shake the pan a couple of times in the oven, it helps for overall browning. Remove from the oven and cool.
3. In a 2-quart saucepan, over medium heat, combine the sugars, salt, vanilla, butter, and cream. Stir constantly until fully incorporated, about 1 minute. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 254°F / 120°C (hard ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 15 minutes after the mixture comes to a boil.
4. Sprinkle the nuts over the butter of the prepared pan. Pour the sugar mixture over the nuts, place in a draft-free area, and allow to cool completely. Place each of the chocolates in separate bowls over pots of simmering water. Stir occasionally until all of the chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir 1/2 teaspoon of the oil into each chocolate.
5. To Temper the Chocolates: Dip the bottom of each bowl of chocolate in a bowl of cold water and stir the chocolate until it begins to thicken. Immediately remove from the cold water and place back over the pot of simmering water. Stir over the hot water just long enough to make the chocolate liquid again. Remove the bowl from the heat. Set aside until ready to use.
6. Turn the caramel out onto a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut into 1-inch squares. In a cool and draft-free area of you kitchen, dip half of the nut caramels in the semisweet chocolate and the remaining in the milk chocolate, coating completely and shaking off the excess. Place the chocolates on a piece of parchment paper and let sit for a couple of hours or until the chocolate sets. Place the chocolates on a serving platter and serve.
7. Chocolates will keep for 1 week in an airtight container. Do not refrigerate.

Makes 64 (1-inch) squares.