A homemade candy that tastes just like the nostalgic Midwest candy – a soft Bing cherry flavored filling surrounded by layers of chocolate covered peanuts.
What is Bing Cherry Candy?
Bing cherry candy is a homemade candy that tastes just like Palmer’s Twin Bing Bar, which is a candy bar with a cherry nougat covered in chocolate covered peanuts. If you are from the Midwest, particularly northwestern Iowa (or near Sioux City where Palmer’s Candy is located), you have probably heard of a Twin Bing Bar. This nostalgic candy bar was first made in 1923, according to the Palmer Candy Company’s website and continues to be a Midwestern favorite. This particular recipe for Bing cherry candy evolved from home bakers who wanted to create the classic candy in their own homes and is a popular recipe around the holiday time.
About the Recipe
My Grandpa used to make a box full of homemade candies each year at Christmas, which always included this homemade Bing cherry candy. This was my favorite candy in the box and I always seemed to eat it before everyone else in my family could! I still make this nostalgic candy each Christmas and think of my late Grandpa when I make this special recipe.
This recipe really is not too complicated to make, as the process for making the filling is similar to making fudge. Sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt are cooked on the stovetop; once removed from heat, vanilla, marshmallows and cherry chips are stirred in until melted and smooth. Meanwhile, the chocolate peanut mixture for the layers can be made in the microwave while the filling is cooking. Then, one layer of the chocolate peanut mixture is poured into the bottom of the pan, followed by the cherry filling and then topped with the remainder of the chocolate peanut mixture. Once the candy is set, it can be cut.
Tips for Making Bing Cherry Candy
- Cherry flavored baking chips readily available during the holiday season. You can search online to purchase if you have difficulty finding them.
- Grease the foil lined pan very well to prevent candy from sticking
- Allow candy to completely set before cutting
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Bing Cherry Candy
Equipment
- medium sized saucepan
- standard 9" x 13" pan
- foil
- baking spray
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 large marshmallows
- 1 6 oz. pkg. cherry flavored baking chips
- 1 12 oz. pkg. good quality semi-sweet chocolate or baking chips
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 10 oz. finely chopped or crushed salted peanuts
Instructions
- Line a 9” x 13” pan with foil, extending over sides of pan and grease well with baking spray.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, 2 cups granulated sugar, 2/3 cup evaporated milk, 11/2 cup unsalted butter and pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat; once boiling, cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- After 5 minutes, remove from heat. Add in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, followed by the 12 large marshmallows and 1 6 oz. pkg. cherry flavored baking chips. Stir until marshmallows and cherry chips have melted and mixture is smooth.
- Meanwhile, in a microwave safe bowl, combine 1 12 oz. pkg. good quality semi-sweet chocolate or baking chips, 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter and 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter. Microwave on 50-60% power until chocolate is melted, then stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in 10 oz. finely chopped or crushed salted peanuts.
- Pour half of the chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Then, pour all of the cherry mixture over the first layer of chocolate. Pour remaining chocolate mixture on top, spreading until the cherry mixture is completely covered.
- Let cool completely before cutting candy into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Cherry flavored baking chips readily available during the holiday season. You can search online to purchase if you have difficulty finding them.
- Grease the foil lined pan very well to prevent candy from sticking
- Allow candy to completely set before cutting