SUPER SIMPLE “KING CAKE” CANDY

Here’s another super cute Mardi Gras themed treat idea from one of our contributors, Amanda Pugh !

DIY King Cake Candy

*Saltine crackers (about 42)

*1 1/8 cup light brown sugar

*1 cup + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

*2 tsp. cinnamon (divided)

*4 cups powdered sugar

*dash of salt

*6 to 8 tablespoons hot water(may need more)

*1 to 2 tsp. almond or vanilla extract

*1 cup melted white chocolate chips

*chopped pecans

*green, purple, & gold sugar crystals

*candy pearls

*1/4 cup light corn syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray well with cooking spray.

2.Line square saltine crackers as close as possible in rows.

3. Boil 1 1/8 cup of light brown sugar with 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter for 3 minutes, stirring.

4. Add 1 tsp of cinnamon, mix.

5. Carefully pour the hot mixture over the crackers and spread evenly with a spatula. Work fast it thickens quickly.

6.Bake for 5 minutes.

7. While crackers are baking, whisk together 4 cups of powdered sugar, 1 tsp of cinnamon, a dash of salt, 6 to 8 tablespoons of hot water, and 1 to 2 tsp of almond extract to make the glaze.

8. Add 1 cup of melted white chocolate chips to the mixture, and 1/4 cup of light corn syrup to make it a little easier to spread. Mix until smooth. You want the glaze to be spreadable but not too thin.

9. Pour the king cake glaze over the crackers on top of the brown sugar mixture, spread the glaze evenly with a spatula. Quickly top with festive Mardi Gras colored sprinkles and chopped pecans before the glaze hardens.

nce it's hardened you can either cut them in squares or break apart. Put on those aprons and have some fun in the kitchen.

To make it a Valentine treat, replace the Mardi Gras sugar crystals with pink and red sprinkles/sugar crystals. Use candy hearts for a finishing touch.