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[–] lemon11 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago  (edited ago)

It was wholesome, cheap, friendly, and fostered a craft. Candy is industrialized now, so you don't find craftsmen even at boutique shops. At most, you'll find taffy pullers and fudge cutters who can't answer basic questions about the chemistry, tradition, or tradeoffs involved in their business. But information is also industralized, so you can find most of that online, instead.

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[–] beefartist 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

Beyond the very odd treat homemade baked good are so much tastier. A barely involved 3 year old loses their mind more baking bite sized cupcakes or decorate-able sugar cookies than having free reign at the dollar store.

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[–] tokui 0 points 7 points (+7|-0) ago 

Candy making is actually a craft. It's not easy and requires special trade tools.

Sure, ppl can make simple things, but even carmel covered apples require making caramelized sugar. Easy - to burn. And dangerous.

The real negative here is that refined sugar is poisonous and affects the addiction zones of the brain. Eric Clapton professed his own drug addictions started not with pot, but as a child with SUGAR.

The food industry has also conspired to increase sugar loads in food, especially "low fat" foods. Low fat food tends to be less flavorful, so they compensate by upping the sugar content - which leads to subtle build up the body's sugar expectation and addiction.

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[–] 18507162? [S] 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

You made so many good points. Just want to add that there are simple old fashioned candies that aren't dangerous to make for little kids.

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[–] 18507792? ago  (edited ago)

I've been making stovetop kettle corn. Super easy to make, satisfies my sugar cravings as I ween off of candy.

  • 3 Tbsp Canola Oil (Olive oil works too, just burns more easily. Been meaning to try it w/ coconut oil)
  • 3 Tbsp Cane sugar
  • 1 cup popcorn

    1. Medium heat, add sugar and oil and stir
  • 2. Add popcorn. Continue stirring until popcorn starts popping
  • 3. Put lid on pan, pop until there's a few seconds between pops
  • 4. Salt to taste

Would love to hear some alternatives! Smoothies usually get the job done, too.

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[–] Drkadrka 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

Buttermints.

Cream together butter, powdered sugar, and extract. Roll into long snakes, cut into bite size mints and allow to dry at room temp. Fun and you never have to turn on a burner.

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[–] tokui ago 

Candied popcorn balls - melted butter & sugar for the glue.

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[–] thebearfromstartrack 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Having FAR fewer sources of SIMPLE pleasures IS a good idea for ANY good community.

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[–] ottermom56 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

but its a good idea to support your local candy making businesses. I love Josh Early candies, check 'em out.

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[–] Palindromedan 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

I believe homemade marshmallow is relatively easy to make. My great grandma used to make divinity and I haven’t been able to find any like it since *sigh