Make Jack Wax Maple Candy

Heidi Hunt, Mother Earth News

Here is a delicious winter treat that is easy to make and has only two ingredients: maple syrup and new snow. My grandma taught me to make this confection and called it jack wax.

Put 1 cup of real maple syrup in a pan and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer to 235 degrees on a candy thermometer (if you don't have a candy thermometer, cook until 'soft ball' stage, which means a spoonful of the syrup dropped into a cup of cold water forms a soft ball). While the syrup is simmering, take a 9-by-13-inch cake pan and fill it with clean snow, packed down well. When the syrup reaches softball, slowly pour the hot syrup in ribbons onto the packed snow.

With clean fingers, pick up a section of the caramel-like candy and pop it in your mouth. The combination of the super-sweet maple syrup and the slightly metallic taste of the cold fresh snow is a delightful winter treat.

Got a favorite candy recipe your kids love to make? Please share it below. We'll review the recipes on Valentine's Day and send a bag of our delicious organic cocoa to whoever sends in the best one.