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Dessert First

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Field Guide to Candy is Out! Win a Copy of Your Own!

Oct 5 by Anita 176 Comments

FieldGuideCandy

Two years ago, one of my long-cherished goals suddenly blossomed into reality: I was offered the chance to write a cookbook. A great deal of testing, retesting, writing, and rewriting later Field Guide to Cookies emerged.

One year ago, just as the reality that I was now published was sinking in and the sight of my book in bookstores was becoming less surreal, fate came tripping round again: I was asked if I’d like to do a companion piece to my book, on candy.

Today, I’m happy to announce that my second book, Field Guide to Candy, is officially out in bookstores and available online!

Taking on candy was a truly exciting challenge for me. I had learned basic confection-making in pastry school and always wanted to keep expanding my knowledge. The plethora of renowned chocolatiers and candymakers in the Bay Area also served as constant inspiration. I’d take home a box of chocolates from Charles Chocolates or toffees from Fiona’s Sweet Shoppe and dream of reproducing them at home. Now, with the second book, I was able to turn my apartment into a miniature candy factory (sometimes a great thing, other times maybe not so much).

In Field Guide to Candy, I explore 100 candies from all around the world, from fudge to toffee to peanut butter cups to truffles. One of the reasons I think I’ve worked well with the Field Guide format is that I have a natural tendency to categorize things. It’s how I figure things out, by determining how they relate to each other and fit into the big picture. Knowing that toffee, caramels, and taffy are all variants of working with sugar, or that fondant and fudge are based on similar principles suddenly makes it easier to grasp the dizzyingly wide world of sweets.

I’ve tried to break the world of candy into bite-size categories in my book, from chocolates to sugar candies, to even a simple classics section. If you’re wondering if caramel corn, peanut butter balls, and rocky road made it onto the list, be assured these childhood favorites are there.

I’ve also included notes on the all-essential tasks of working with chocolate and working with sugar. Knowing how to work with these ingredients is integral to candy-making, and surely the root of many candy-making fears. I’ve tried to address many of the common pitfalls, and provide guidelines to make tempering chocolate or cooking sugar a snap.

Also, anyone who’s ever had a favorite candy, be it Milky Way or gummy bears or peppermint patties, likely knows there is a fabulously colorful history behind candy. From the origin of saltwater taffy, to Joseph Fry’s creation of the first chocolate bar, to why English toffee and sherbet mean different things in the UK and the US, there are plenty of fascinating stories once you pull back the sugary sweet curtain. Learning about the history behind some of the most well-loved candies was definitely a highlight of the research I did, and I hope that you’ll find the tidbits I share in the book as entertaining as I did.

 

Finally, in creating the photos for the book, I got a chance to work with Tucker+Hossler, a very talented SF-based team. Their experience in working on cookbooks really shone through as we blazed through a three day photoshoot. I’m really happy with the art direction for this book; as you can see, we got to do a bit more styling this time and come up with some really lovely shots. Just as with the Field Guide to Cookies, there is a photo of every candy in the book!

You can find Field Guide to Candy at your local bookstore, or order it from Amazon, Quirk Books, or Chronicle Books.

Most exciting, there’s going to be a party!! if you are in the Bay Area, I’d like to invite you to the book release party for Field Guide to Candy which will be

Saturday, October 17, 2009, 3-4 PM at

Omnivore Books

3885 Cesar Chavez Street

San Francisco, CA 94131

415-281-4172

 

Omnivore Books is like my my fondest foodie dream realized: a bookstore filled exclusively with books about food. The owner, Celia Sack, knows so much about food literature: the fabulous vintage cookbooks displayed throughout the store are from her collection. I had a great time speaking there last year about my cookie book, and I’m extremely excited to be able to celebrate the release of Field Guide to Candy there! I hope to see you October 17!

Even if you can’t make it, I’d like to thank all my readers for their continued support by giving away two copies of Field Guide to Candy. Just tell me your favorite candy in the comments below, and I will randomly pick two winners at the end of Sunday, October 11. Good luck and happy candy-making!

Filed Under: Field Guide to Candy, My Books

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{Product Review} Of Chocolate and Tempering »

Comments

  1. 1

    Jamie says

    Oct 5 at 11:20 pm

    Wow! Isn’t that exciting and congratulations! What a thrill! I’d love to win a copy of your cookbook. My favorite candy? Difficult! Either chocolate-covered soft caramels or chocolate-covered marshmallows. Yum!

    Reply
  2. 2

    deeba says

    Oct 5 at 11:46 pm

    Congrats on your second book Anita. No mean feat & an excellent one. My fave candy is the English toffee that the nuns used to sell in the tuck shop in school! Good luck to you for the release & book signings. Wish I lived in the US!!

    Reply
  3. 3

    Lauren says

    Oct 5 at 11:50 pm

    Hmmm, I’d have to say my favorite candy would probably have to be Dark Chocolate Macadamia Nut Turtles, but if marshmallows count as candy then peppermint marshmallows.

    Reply
  4. 4

    christine u says

    Oct 5 at 11:56 pm

    omg, it’s already out! congrats, anita!! i love peanut butter cups…and toffee, too…

    Reply
  5. 5

    Mina says

    Oct 6 at 12:06 am

    It’s truffles – in every way! But actually chocolate is my favourite.. 😉

    Wish you all the Best with yout new book!

    Mina

    Reply
  6. 6

    Aparna says

    Oct 6 at 12:34 am

    Congratulations Anita on realising your dream. One more book and it’ll be a hat trick! 🙂

    I don’t like toffee or caramel types of candy but if its chocolate I love it (so long as it isn’t the liquor filled kind). 🙂

    Reply
  7. 7

    Dani says

    Oct 6 at 12:44 am

    I have so many recipes tagged in Field Guide to Cookies that I haven’t been able to try them all yet. I have only taken baby steps with candy making. I really look forward to the tips and techniques which you’ll be providing in Field Guide to Candy. And there will be time to play with it and (hopefully) learn enough by Christmas to make candy good enough for gifts! I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. My favorite candy is any kind of chocolate-covered nuts.

    Reply
  8. 8

    Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy says

    Oct 6 at 1:20 am

    Even more than cookies, I am really a candy freak, to be honest! I’m excited about your cookbook!!

    I used to love Goetze Caramel Creams but I’ve been avoiding most things made with corn syrup so I haven’t eaten them much – ditto for Candy Corn and all things caramel. But I love them probably the most of all candy. Last weekend I made some caramel at home (with honey instead of CS) and it was great so I’ll probably try to recreate them now.

    Here in Italy, I crave Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and chocolate with caramel or peanuts in it – here it’s mostly almonds and hazelnuts. And of course things made with marshmallows, which are not popular here, or are only the French colored versions which are definitely different from our plain white ones.

    Reply
  9. 9

    Maureen in Oakland says

    Oct 6 at 1:34 am

    Congrats! It looks fantastic. And peanut brittle is my hands down favorite candy.

    Reply
  10. 10

    Renee says

    Oct 6 at 2:20 am

    Wow! That is so awesome!!! You should be super proud of yourself!

    My favorite candy is really good dark chocolate.

    Good luck!!

    Reply
  11. 11

    JanJan says

    Oct 6 at 2:28 am

    I remember picking out MilkMaid caramels from my Halloween loot so I could gobble them up right away. Now, mention anything caramel or toffee (anything browned sugar and butter!) and I’m interested!

    Reply
  12. 12

    Ria says

    Oct 6 at 2:34 am

    Anita,

    CONGRATULATIONS!!! The front cover tells a lot about the contents of the book! WOW!

    My favourite candy is FUDGE, especially Chocolate Pistachio Fudge. I love the contrast of the colours in it…deep brown n green 🙂

    Thanks a bunch for the inviting us! 🙂

    xx

    Reply
  13. 13

    Maddox says

    Oct 6 at 2:43 am

    Congratulations on the book! How marvelous.

    Favorite candy? Oh definately slightly salted hazelnut pralene truffles…today…

    Reply
  14. 14

    Eva says

    Oct 6 at 2:56 am

    i recently found your blog, and it’s been a real joy to read. congratulations on your second book.

    by the way, my favorite candy is dutch liquorice.^^

    Reply
  15. 15

    Julia says

    Oct 6 at 3:17 am

    My favorite candy: leche quemada, or burnt milk candy. Mmmmm…

    Reply
  16. 16

    Lisa says

    Oct 6 at 3:55 am

    Congratulations again, Anita! So happy for you! 🙂

    xoxoxox

    Reply
  17. 17

    AmyLynn says

    Oct 6 at 4:24 am

    Caramels!

    Reply
  18. 18

    Maybe says

    Oct 6 at 4:32 am

    Congratulations for your second book ! My favourite candy is salted butter fudge (I’m French so I don’t know if it’s the right translation…). Can international reader participate to the giveaway ?

    Reply
  19. 19

    AmyRuth says

    Oct 6 at 4:35 am

    Oh my lovely goodness…. truly. I make toffee with dark chocolate and toasted almost slices. Its wonderful. My children’s teachers receive it for Christmas presents. They (the teachers) love my children. he he
    So I would love to learn more about other candy making from you and your book. Please and thank you for this opportunity to receive your gift.
    AmyRuth

    Reply
  20. 20

    Michelle says

    Oct 6 at 4:44 am

    anything chocolate will be my favourite =)

    Reply
  21. 21

    Chocolate Shavings says

    Oct 6 at 4:59 am

    I’d have to say lolipops and carambars! Your books sounds great!

    Reply
  22. 22

    Valerie says

    Oct 6 at 5:07 am

    Good Morning! YIKES, a candy book, a girl after my own heart!! Ummm…*gumdrops* would do it for me!!! Thx loads, Valerie xo

    Reply
  23. 23

    Alicia says

    Oct 6 at 5:08 am

    I love Snickers! Yummy 😀

    Reply
  24. 24

    sara says

    Oct 6 at 5:12 am

    Oooooh, cool giveaway! I’d have to say my fav candy is Reeses! 🙂

    Reply
  25. 25

    Becky says

    Oct 6 at 5:13 am

    Chocolate covered cherries especially at Christmas.

    Reply
  26. 26

    Jalanda says

    Oct 6 at 5:22 am

    My absolute favorite candy is Chocolate Turtles. Love the nuts, caramel and chocolate. Yum!

    Reply
  27. 27

    Amarielle says

    Oct 6 at 5:32 am

    So hard to choose! Depends on my mood, but for now, sour candies (e.g. lemon heads). Congrats on the book!

    Reply
  28. 28

    Kati Angelini says

    Oct 6 at 5:45 am

    Oh, congrats and I am thrilled for you!! You are the field guide queen-I love this style of books-keep up the great work. My fave candies are pb cups and toffees, but there are soo darn many more, thanks for the chance to win a copy of this exciting new book!

    Reply
  29. 29

    kristina says

    Oct 6 at 5:47 am

    Congratulations! How I wish I could attend the party! I’d love to enter the giveaway. My all-time favorite candy is my grandma’s walnut chocolates 🙂 K

    Reply
  30. 30

    Alessia says

    Oct 6 at 6:01 am

    Way to go, Anita!
    My favorite candy would have to be truffles – as for the flavor, I don’t know… that varies 🙂

    Reply
  31. 31

    Kim U says

    Oct 6 at 6:07 am

    Sounds like a really interesting cookbook! My favorite candies are peppermint patties, followed closely by peanut butter cups.

    Reply
  32. 32

    Tammy Adin says

    Oct 6 at 6:09 am

    The book sounds wonderful! My favorite candy is white chocolate fudge.

    Reply
  33. 33

    Denise says

    Oct 6 at 6:10 am

    Congratulations on the last book! I hope the sales are great!
    I wish I could buy your books, and any of the books you recomend… but Amazon doesn’t ship to my country…
    I love skittles btw!!

    Reply
  34. 34

    Emily Z says

    Oct 6 at 6:12 am

    All candy is my favorite! If I had to narrow it down however, it would probably be jelly beans or licorice.

    Reply
  35. 35

    Sharlaine says

    Oct 6 at 6:12 am

    Wonderful and Congratulations, my favorite candy is fudge, love it, love it, love it!!

    Reply
  36. 36

    Diane McNeil says

    Oct 6 at 6:14 am

    This book is gorgeous and I can’t wait to win one and buying one for Christmas, I have the perfect person for it.
    My favorite candy is anything with nuts, chocolate and caramel, so turtles win.

    Reply
  37. 37

    Devyn says

    Oct 6 at 6:18 am

    My favorite candy are cold reeses peanut butter cups – i keep them in the fridge!

    Keep up the good work, girl! love the site!

    Reply
  38. 38

    Qte says

    Oct 6 at 6:20 am

    Congratulations, your new book looks super-fun and delicious! I would LoVe to win one. So here is my favorite candy: TURKISH DELIGHT. (especially the one with double roasted nuts: yummm!!)

    Reply
  39. 39

    Stephanie says

    Oct 6 at 6:24 am

    First of all, congratulations on the new book! It has been such an exciting year for you! Secondly, my favorite candy is snickers. I could eat a bar every day and be completely happy 🙂

    Reply
  40. 40

    Akane says

    Oct 6 at 6:35 am

    I can’t choose only one favorite candy! My favorites are: dark chocolate truffels, daifuku mochi, licorice jellies, panforte and dark chocolate dipped nuts and coffee beans.

    Congrats for your fantastic book!

    Reply
  41. 41

    s.tai says

    Oct 6 at 6:38 am

    congrats! i vote for dark chocolate covered nuts.

    Reply
  42. 42

    Brandy says

    Oct 6 at 6:47 am

    My favorite candy….hmmm. Do I really have to choose JUST one? I *heart* ALL candy but I do go though spurts where I will crave one specific kind – right now it’s peanut butter cups. However with the holiday season coming, that will change – I do so love those candy canes!

    In case I win my email in words is:

    brandy underscore jarvis at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  43. 43

    Double Dipped Life says

    Oct 6 at 6:52 am

    Congratulations on the publication! It looks great! I have to say my favorite candy is caramel apples!

    Reply
  44. 44

    Meredith says

    Oct 6 at 6:57 am

    My favorite candy is the peanut butter cup…I have a weakness for it.

    Reply
  45. 45

    pat says

    Oct 6 at 6:57 am

    Almound mounds are to die for! I treat myself only once or twice a year as they are addictive.

    Reply
  46. 46

    Amanda Penhale says

    Oct 6 at 7:03 am

    My favorite candy is one that I made in school. It is a Pecan Buttercrunch. It has a toffe center with tempered chocolate and salted toasted pecans on top. It was my favorite thing I did in school.

    Reply
  47. 47

    Anda says

    Oct 6 at 7:04 am

    Congrats! I have your first book and I will surely get this one too.
    I love caramels and truffles.

    Reply
  48. 48

    Blair says

    Oct 6 at 7:13 am

    Anything chocolate and peanut butter!

    Reply
  49. 49

    Esme says

    Oct 6 at 7:23 am

    Turkish delights-I love the soft jelly, perfumed taste with just a sprinkling of sugar on top.

    Reply
  50. 50

    Sarah GIanocaro says

    Oct 6 at 7:44 am

    My favorite candy is dark chocolate truffles 🙂 Congratulations on another book, Anita!

    Reply
  51. 51

    Annalise says

    Oct 6 at 7:53 am

    My favorite candy? That’s a hard one. But my favorite is probably Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

    Congrats on the book, I think I’m going to have to buy it!

    Reply
  52. 52

    Anne says

    Oct 6 at 7:56 am

    Congratulations!! The book looks wonderful! My favorite candy? Milk chocolate, especially combined with hazelnuts. Yum!

    Reply
  53. 53

    Dolce says

    Oct 6 at 8:06 am

    Congratulations ! This looks yummy… and doable… Which is even better. I’ll go see the book at Amazon right away !

    My fav candy… Well… I would say the French “fraise tagada”, which is a strawberry flavored marshmallow, shaped like a strawberry and covered in red sugar. Truly chemical and amazingly good !

    Reply
  54. 54

    Stephanie says

    Oct 6 at 8:13 am

    That’s a tough one, but I really enjoy twizzlers…for homemade I love truffles. Congratulations on your 2nd book! What an accomplishment

    Reply
  55. 55

    Kat says

    Oct 6 at 8:14 am

    Congrats on the book =) I have way too many favorite candies but Ferrero Rocher is my ultimate comfort!

    Reply
  56. 56

    Mala says

    Oct 6 at 8:23 am

    Hi there,

    My favorite candies would be Toffees, caramel choclates, sugar candies…. Yumm….

    The book sounds great !!!! It would be really great to learn more from your book.

    Thanks again for the give away !

    Mala

    Reply
  57. 57

    Lisa J. says

    Oct 6 at 8:31 am

    Congratulations on the new book! I love to cook, and especially bake, but when it comes to candy I’m pretty easy. Any kind of chocolate covered peanuts!

    Reply
  58. 58

    Gina Lane says

    Oct 6 at 8:33 am

    My favorite candy is my own homemade peanut butter dark chocolate cups.

    Reply
  59. 59

    Charlynne says

    Oct 6 at 8:42 am

    Congratulations on the new book!

    Tough thing to do, but if I have to narrow it down to two it would have to be chocolate-peanut butter cups and peanut brittle.

    Reply
  60. 60

    Debbie says

    Oct 6 at 8:50 am

    I think it really depends on my mood…but I’ll take milk chocolate anytime! 🙂

    There’s one that I LOVE that I used to eat in Hong Kong when I was little…Kinder Bueno…mmmmMMM…that decadent hazelnut chocolate cream…mmmmMMMMMM…

    Reply
  61. 61

    Rosa says

    Oct 6 at 8:53 am

    congratulations! i do love a chilled twix, but that’s mostly for the shortbread

    Reply
  62. 62

    lisa says

    Oct 6 at 8:55 am

    Congrats on the 2nd book! That’s great news! I love Omnivore Books (it’s in my old neighborhood!) I only wish I could be there for your book signing.

    Hmmm, my favorite candy has to be any kind of dark chocolate truffle variation…

    Reply
  63. 63

    Myla says

    Oct 6 at 9:06 am

    Congratulations!

    Tiger butter’s my favourite!!

    Reply
  64. 64

    Mimi says

    Oct 6 at 9:12 am

    Congratulations on your new book. My favorite candy is brown sugar fudge, or anything brown sugar flavored.
    Mimi

    Reply
  65. 65

    Julie says

    Oct 6 at 9:12 am

    Congrats on the book! I’m all for chocolate covered orange peels and chocolate and caramel covered marshmallows.

    Reply
  66. 66

    Lucy Vaserfirer says

    Oct 6 at 9:27 am

    I love pâte de fruit and anything chocolate. Also, congratulations on your new book!

    Reply
  67. 67

    Lisa Blank says

    Oct 6 at 9:43 am

    Congrats on your new book! I fondly remember buying your first book as gifts for family members last year and including a tin of cookies made from the book. It was a hit!

    It’s hard to narrow my favorite candy down to one, since it’s subject to change at any time. Let’s just go with a current favorite: Italian torrone.

    Reply
  68. 68

    Patricia says

    Oct 6 at 9:54 am

    It’s really hard to choose one candy as a favorite, I love them all so much… but if I had to pick only one today I would say pralines.

    Reply
  69. 69

    Dee says

    Oct 6 at 9:54 am

    Aww..how awesome is that….Congrats on your second book!!
    Love everything from sees candies especially the Toffee-ettes®

    Reply
  70. 70

    Vickie says

    Oct 6 at 9:56 am

    Hi,

    I’ve been following your blog for more than two years now and I regret never having commented before.
    Congrats on the second book, your phtotos are amazing! And so are your recipes.
    My favorite candy has got to be fudge or anything chocolately.

    Vickie

    Reply
  71. 71

    Collette says

    Oct 6 at 10:04 am

    Favorite candy? Hmmm, sadly enough it’s probably chewy mini sweetarts. I know, I can’t explain either.

    And Congratulations! The book looks lovely.

    Reply
  72. 72

    Willow says

    Oct 6 at 10:19 am

    I honestly don’t think toffee (preferably with almonds and coated with chocolate) can beat. I also like nougat with almonds. But I am completely delighted to see that daifuku mochi is in your candy book; when I saw that, I knew I *had* to find this book. Congratulations! 🙂

    Reply
  73. 73

    Rachel B says

    Oct 6 at 10:43 am

    Anita, congratulations on your second book!! I hope to see you at my favorite store on earth, Omnivore.
    My favorite candy is the dark chocolate covered bordeaux from See’s Candies. It’s brown sugar buttercream center covered with tiny real chocolate sprinkles.
    http://www.sees.com/prod.cfm/Milk_Chocolates/Milk_Chocolate_Bordeaux
    Also, are those lovely pastel pillows in the silver dish in the photo on top of the post marhsmallows? Or another type of candy? I assume the recipe is in the book. 🙂

    Reply
  74. 74

    Faith Kramer says

    Oct 6 at 10:54 am

    Congrats. Wishing you lots of sweet success.
    I have many favorite candies but right now the object of my desire is (very stale) chocolate malted milk balls.

    Reply
  75. 75

    Lindsay the Scoop Adventurer says

    Oct 6 at 11:10 am

    Congrats on your second book, Anita! I would have to say that my favorite candy is anything dark chocolate, but especially the Endangered Species brand 72% dark chocolate. Yum!

    Reply
  76. 76

    Jacquie says

    Oct 6 at 11:14 am

    Homemade marshmallows!

    Congrats on your new book. Looks deeelish!

    Reply
  77. 77

    Adi says

    Oct 6 at 11:27 am

    Congratulations on the release of your new book!
    My favorite candies are sour wine gummies.

    Reply
  78. 78

    abbey says

    Oct 6 at 11:28 am

    sea salt caramel — most days— current guilty pleasure (that I’ve so far avoided actually eating) – candy corn.

    Reply
  79. 79

    Lauren says

    Oct 6 at 11:30 am

    Does fudge count as candy? If so, the milk chocolate is my fave! Other than that I love Lifesaver gummies!

    Reply
  80. 80

    steph (whisk/spoon) says

    Oct 6 at 11:49 am

    congratulations–your new book is lovely! picking a favorite candy is a toughie, but i’d have to say truffles.

    Reply
  81. 81

    Kerrin @ MyKugelhopf says

    Oct 6 at 11:55 am

    Congratulations on book #2! The categories sound perfect – the book will be real easy to use and find things fast. Looking forward to the recipes and photos, and to the stories and history too!

    Favorite candy? Tough question. Buuut, if I have to chose… sponge candy/honeycomb, dipped in dark chocolate. Mmmm!

    Reply
  82. 82

    sarah says

    Oct 6 at 11:57 am

    my favorite candy is Reeses pieces!

    Reply
  83. 83

    Jen T. says

    Oct 6 at 12:06 pm

    Congratulations Anita! I don’t know if I have a favorite candy, but I guess I really like gummies and chocolate-covered peanuts.

    Reply
  84. 84

    Amy says

    Oct 6 at 12:11 pm

    Congratulations! One of my favorites is homemade Russian Fudge (it’s no coincidence I make a huge batch of it for Christmas).

    Reply
  85. 85

    Louise says

    Oct 6 at 12:21 pm

    congrats!!! my favorite candy is caramel candy 🙂

    Reply
  86. 86

    Maria says

    Oct 6 at 12:40 pm

    I can’t wait to have this book in my hands:) I loved your cookie book and I know this one will be just as fabulous. Congrats Anita! I am sure I will be making lots of candy for the holidays.

    Reply
  87. 87

    Renee Ting says

    Oct 6 at 12:54 pm

    Yay!!! Congrats!! Can’t wait to see it! (no need to enter me in the drawing)

    Reply
  88. 88

    Rachael says

    Oct 6 at 1:01 pm

    Snickers!

    Reply
  89. 89

    Rene Rodgers says

    Oct 6 at 1:06 pm

    I love making Toffee! I can’t make it very often though, because I can and will happily eat the entire batch :D.

    Reply
  90. 90

    snooky doodle says

    Oct 6 at 1:08 pm

    nice!! peanut butter cups and liquorish are my favourite

    Reply
  91. 91

    ReNi says

    Oct 6 at 1:35 pm

    Congratulations to your new book!
    ReNi

    Reply
  92. 92

    Judith says

    Oct 6 at 1:37 pm

    My favorite is that rainbow coconut candy they have in the South. Congratulations!

    Reply
  93. 93

    Maggie says

    Oct 6 at 1:40 pm

    peanut butter cups with just the right ratio of chocolate to peanut butter!

    Reply
  94. 94

    Cathy says

    Oct 6 at 1:51 pm

    I love Maltesers!

    Reply
  95. 95

    Hannah J says

    Oct 6 at 2:03 pm

    Hmm… my favorite candy would deffinetly be gummies shaped like over easy eggs 🙂

    Reply
  96. 96

    Caroline Côté says

    Oct 6 at 2:08 pm

    Congratulations for your new book! It looks delicious! My favorite candy are chocolate nutty truffles 😀 Thank you!

    Reply
  97. 97

    Karen says

    Oct 6 at 2:11 pm

    I love Mars bars!

    Reply
  98. 98

    shoshana says

    Oct 6 at 2:20 pm

    Homemade marshmallows in pretty much any flavor, but my absolute favorite might be cranberry marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate. Out of this world delicious

    Reply
  99. 99

    Sarah says

    Oct 6 at 2:34 pm

    How can I pick a favorite? I’ll go for top two: caramels and anything peanut butter and chocolate.

    Reply
  100. 100

    Andrea Lowther says

    Oct 6 at 3:08 pm

    Congratulations on your book. I love candy, because it makes me happy. I go through different stages of what I like, however you can usually find Candy Corn in my cabinet.

    Reply
  101. 101

    Laura says

    Oct 6 at 3:10 pm

    congratulations! my favourite candy is definitely chocolate truffles, preferably filled with praline… yum…

    Reply
  102. 102

    Caroline says

    Oct 6 at 3:21 pm

    Congratulations on your 2nd book! I wonder if we’ll hear about a 3rd book soon!

    My favorite candy would be tagada from Haribo.

    Reply
  103. 103

    Hannah says

    Oct 6 at 3:38 pm

    Congratulations on the cookbook. My favorite candy is anything with chocolate and hazelnut. Mmmm.

    Reply
  104. 104

    Joyce says

    Oct 6 at 3:59 pm

    Congratulations to you…. very nice of you to give us a chance to win ur books. i would say chocolate truffle would be my best candy..hehe.. have fun party

    Reply
  105. 105

    jo says

    Oct 6 at 5:12 pm

    Congratulations on your 2nd booking! I thought the Cookies one was great and look forward to seeing this one on the shelfs soon. My fav has got to be peanut brittle, love the crunch and the sugar fix!

    Reply
  106. 106

    Jessica says

    Oct 6 at 5:17 pm

    Congrats! My favorite candy has to be anything sour, though I also love gummy bears!

    Reply
  107. 107

    Angela says

    Oct 6 at 6:03 pm

    Good luck! Peanut brittle and fudge!! Yummy!

    Reply
  108. 108

    Anna says

    Oct 6 at 6:06 pm

    Caramels 🙂 yum.

    Reply
  109. 109

    Jessica "Su Good Sweets" says

    Oct 6 at 6:20 pm

    Congratulations! My favorite candy is chocolate truffles.

    Reply
  110. 110

    Jenny says

    Oct 6 at 6:34 pm

    My favourite candy… i really like those chinese peanut candy, traditional and yet wholesome. Whole roasted peanuts covered with sugar syrup and coated with toasted sesame seeds… with each bite and chew, the peanuts just burst with peanuty flavour… simple but yet nice.

    Reply
  111. 111

    Carlene says

    Oct 6 at 6:36 pm

    Congratulations on your 2nd book. My favorite candies are Velati’s Caramels (available only by mail order these days)and really, really good dark chocolate covered vanilla and/or fruit cremes…

    Reply
  112. 112

    Corynn says

    Oct 6 at 6:43 pm

    Skittles are my favorite!

    Reply
  113. 113

    Kirsten says

    Oct 6 at 6:44 pm

    Turtles (the candy, not our hardshelled, slow moving friends) or thin mints. Chocolate and mint, mmmmm….

    Congrats on your book Anita! Come to New York!

    Reply
  114. 114

    Betty says

    Oct 6 at 6:59 pm

    Does marzipan count? Because oh man, marzipan.

    Reply
  115. 115

    mags says

    Oct 6 at 7:27 pm

    Congratulations! This is so very exciting.

    My favorite candy is toffee covered in milk chocolate. That and Twizzler Cherry Bites.

    Reply
  116. 116

    Jill says

    Oct 6 at 7:32 pm

    Congratulations on book #2!

    I like just about any kind of candy, but one that stands out are fruit slices: those jelly candies that look like a slice of fruit and they’re covered with sugar. So good!

    Reply
  117. 117

    Jit says

    Oct 6 at 7:52 pm

    I love Mars candy bars.

    Reply
  118. 118

    Angie says

    Oct 6 at 7:52 pm

    I love gummy candies with all my heart! 🙂

    Reply
  119. 119

    Josiah says

    Oct 6 at 8:02 pm

    I like lollipops!

    Reply
  120. 120

    Belle says

    Oct 6 at 8:05 pm

    Red gummy worms.
    And chocolates from Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates in Wichita, Kansas.

    Reply
  121. 121

    Amanda says

    Oct 6 at 8:23 pm

    congrats on your new book! my fav candy is sour patch kids but my fav chocolate is lake champlain 60% dark chocolate!

    Reply
  122. 122

    My says

    Oct 6 at 8:54 pm

    Congratulations Anita. How exciting! Re: my fave candy — that’s hard cuz I like everything…especially candy with almonds in them!

    Reply
  123. 123

    maddy says

    Oct 6 at 9:33 pm

    Circus Peanuts!

    Just kidding, my favorite candy would have to be gummy bears.

    Reply
  124. 124

    Kendall says

    Oct 6 at 11:59 pm

    Mmm…favorite candy? That’s difficult. Do chocolate covered strawberries count? Or is that more fruit?

    Mmm…I’m hungry now.

    Reply
  125. 125

    Elizabeth McWilliams says

    Oct 7 at 3:12 am

    Congrats on your new book coming out! Favorite candy is definitely Chocolate covered honey comb, both milk chocolate and dark chocolate are equally delicious.

    Reply
  126. 126

    Debbie says

    Oct 7 at 3:42 am

    Congrats on your new book! Wonderful! My favorite candy–See’s chocolate covered bordeaux’s. YUM!

    Reply
  127. 127

    Yael says

    Oct 7 at 5:48 am

    Congratulations! I love your first book “Field Guide to Cookies”! Hope I can win this one, but will buy it even if not. Favorite candy? Hmmmm, that’s a hard one since I LOVE candy- but I will go with twizzlers red licorice- simple but divine!

    Reply
  128. 128

    Susan says

    Oct 7 at 8:00 am

    Ok. Really good chocolate covered cherries or sallted caramel covered in dark chocolate. Congratulations on the book!

    Reply
  129. 129

    Christi says

    Oct 7 at 8:23 am

    That’s so impressive to have another book out already! Congrats!

    My fav. candy is homemade turtle candies!

    Reply
  130. 130

    Kath says

    Oct 7 at 9:32 am

    Caramels, always caramels! Any way, any time doesn’t matter! So happy for you – the book looks amazing. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  131. 131

    alexis ellis says

    Oct 7 at 9:37 am

    My farvorite would have to junior mints.

    Reply
  132. 132

    Suzanne says

    Oct 7 at 10:31 am

    Congratualtions on your book!! I’m looking forward to peruing it, although candy-making does intimidate me a little. My favorite candy is dark chocolate-covered caramels.

    Reply
  133. 133

    Asha says

    Oct 7 at 11:36 am

    Anita.. Congratulations on the book!! :)) Candy is an interesting subject.. Will look out for the book at my store (but I hope I win one from you 🙂 ).. Anyway my favorite candy is “Almond Joy”. My grand aunt used to bring it for me during her annual visits when I lived in India and the love still holds 🙂

    Reply
  134. 134

    Jelli Bean says

    Oct 7 at 12:51 pm

    My favorite candy is a simple milk chocolate truffle. No nonsense, just gooey chocolate goodness. MMM. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  135. 135

    Cookbook says

    Oct 7 at 1:11 pm

    Congrats on the new book! My favorite candy is the classic Toblerone bar.

    Reply
  136. 136

    sandhya says

    Oct 7 at 1:19 pm

    Congrats on your book anita… My fav candy is chocolate truffles….

    Reply
  137. 137

    Chris T. says

    Oct 7 at 2:04 pm

    Congratulations & Kudos to you for both books published. It’s a great achievement and don’t forget to give yourself a big PAT on your back!

    My favourite candy brings back memories to Chinese New Year candies which I had not have in many, many years. It’s pillow shape (rectangular with the ends kinda tucked in like ‘inverted c’ at both ends. It is not overly sweet, crunchy on the outside and yummy melty inside with a taste of peanut butter…Oh,if only I know how to make these. By the way, I think it was covered with a piece of rice paper too, then the wrapper. I always let the rice paper melt on my tongue first before eating that yummy candy. It truly brings back sweet memories!

    Cheers and goodluck on your book release party, Oct 17 2009 – A Great Day to Remember for you!

    God Bless
    Chris

    Reply
  138. 138

    Wynn says

    Oct 7 at 5:24 pm

    Dark chocolate covered caramel. Yum!

    Reply
  139. 139

    Amanda says

    Oct 7 at 5:35 pm

    Divinity is my favorite, just walnuts in it – no candied “stuff” or pretty colors. Fluffy sugar stuff! Marvelous…

    Reply
  140. 140

    Meghann says

    Oct 7 at 5:45 pm

    Congrats on the new book! I can’t wait to pick up a copy of it. My favorite cheap candy would have to be Almond Joys or the old school Bit O’ Honey. For something fancier I love an exotic flavored truffle. Yum!

    Reply
  141. 141

    Meghan says

    Oct 7 at 7:07 pm

    Congratulations on the new book! What fun. I love candy, especially gummies! Gummy bears, gummy worms, fruit jellies… mmm, candy!!

    Reply
  142. 142

    la peca says

    Oct 7 at 8:18 pm

    Wow!! Congratulations!! Such great accomplishments. I wish I were in the Bay Area to celebrate alongside. Me? I’m all about truffles…as long as they’re good quality chocolate. 🙂

    Reply
  143. 143

    Diane Ocon says

    Oct 7 at 10:23 pm

    My grandma used to work for Annabelle’s when I was a kid…my favorite candy is their Abba Zabba’s. And their Big Hunks!

    Reply
  144. 144

    Anita says

    Oct 7 at 10:45 pm

    I love chocolate truffles…. actually anything chocolatey.

    Reply
  145. 145

    Annie S says

    Oct 8 at 4:44 am

    Hi,

    Congrats! I am commenting for the first time thou i am pretty everyday on your blog . Would love to own both your books for in India we still do not have detailed books on cookies and candies:)

    Fav candy is peanut butter cup and all kinds of truffles:)

    thanks for posting such delicious recipes
    Annie

    Reply
  146. 146

    Jill B says

    Oct 8 at 9:28 am

    Hmmm. A good truffle (meaning an “actual” truffle, not some factory-made block-o-chocolate).

    Reply
  147. 147

    Carol says

    Oct 8 at 10:37 am

    I love all forms of Kit Kats — though sort of along those lines, Coffee Crisps as well! 🙂 The books looks fantastic!

    Reply
  148. 148

    Bing says

    Oct 8 at 10:45 am

    Scharfenberger chocolates are my favorite!

    Reply
  149. 149

    Sarah says

    Oct 8 at 12:18 pm

    Congratulations! Two books: so impressive!

    My favorite candies are dark chocolate truffles and fruit chews (ie, Starburst) . . . so different but each are bite-size and fill different types of cravings.

    Reply
  150. 150

    Annie D says

    Oct 8 at 12:32 pm

    My favorite candies are dark chocolate vanilla creams. There is a local candy company here in Ohio called Ben Heggy Chocolates and their candy is awesome!! I dream about their dark chocolate candies and also their caramels. They are heavenly! Congratulations on your book. I would love to learn how to make candy.

    Reply
  151. 151

    Betsy says

    Oct 8 at 12:55 pm

    Your book sounds great – congratulations! My favorite candy is buckeyes (the state tree of Ohio and, for those who aren’t familiar, they are chocolate covered peanut balls). Yum!

    Reply
  152. 152

    Suzy says

    Oct 8 at 3:33 pm

    Congratulations, Anita! This is so exciting! I love toffee. It is by far the best candy around. Anything with it, is a zillion times better in my opinion!

    Reply
  153. 153

    Jess says

    Oct 8 at 4:10 pm

    all of it?? I love caramel and chocolate together 🙂

    Congrats on the books!

    Reply
  154. 154

    Sarah says

    Oct 8 at 10:17 pm

    Milk bottles! They’re vanilla flavored white bottle shaped candies. Yum!

    Reply
  155. 155

    sylvie says

    Oct 9 at 12:06 am

    Only 2, that’s hard! I’d say fudge and toffee. Congrats on the new book.

    Reply
  156. 156

    Nirmala says

    Oct 9 at 5:28 am

    Congrats Anita! And wishing you many more field guides 😉 My favorite candy is a simple cadbury milk chocolate bar (no additions :))!

    Reply
  157. 157

    doreen says

    Oct 9 at 8:38 am

    Candy is my weakness, so I don’t know that I have one favorite. In fact, I have several! Red Vines and anything with caramel make me happy, but See’s rasberry buttercreams make me swoon!

    *fingers crossed*

    Reply
  158. 158

    jane says

    Oct 9 at 8:53 am

    Congrats on the book ! Any type of caramel candy is my fav 🙂

    Reply
  159. 159

    Rachel says

    Oct 9 at 8:58 am

    congrats! fantastic book with very nice pictures. wish i’m in US. my fav candy would be the rabbit milk candy. 😀

    Reply
  160. 160

    Lindsay says

    Oct 9 at 10:00 am

    I love Peanut Butter Cups and have a soft spot for Almond Joys. Your book looks fabulous. Can’t wait to check it out 😉

    Reply
  161. 161

    Chris Quinones says

    Oct 9 at 10:28 am

    I love a GOOD peanut brittle. Congratulations on your newest book!

    Reply
  162. 162

    Nicole says

    Oct 9 at 10:51 am

    Wow Anita congrats with the new book!

    my favorite candy is chocolate toffee turtles! Love love those! yummy!

    Reply
  163. 163

    Tracy says

    Oct 9 at 4:39 pm

    Congratulations on the book!

    Trying to pick ONE favorite candy is a difficult task but since moving to Kentucky, I would have to say bourbon balls. Nothing like the cookie crumb rum balls I grew up with but a boozy, creamy center enrobed in rich chocolate and topped with a pecan- yum!

    Reply
  164. 164

    Mati says

    Oct 9 at 6:12 pm

    When my mom was pregnant with me, she had a powerful craving for those orange circus peanuts, which otherwise repelled her. Sure enough, years later I rediscovered them and craved them too… although they’re really pretty gross.

    Otherwise, chocolate and coconut marshmallows.

    Reply
  165. 165

    Eunice says

    Oct 9 at 6:38 pm

    Cadbury Flakes!

    Wow. A job that incorporates photography, food and writing. Do you need a assistant? Because that’s like a dream come true!

    Reply
  166. 166

    brittany mcmillan says

    Oct 10 at 12:21 pm

    congrats Mine would have to be caramel dipped apples 🙂

    Reply
  167. 167

    Julie says

    Oct 10 at 12:32 pm

    My favorite candy to make is truffles. My favorite candy to eat would be candy cane marshmallows.

    Reply
  168. 168

    Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes) says

    Oct 11 at 5:04 am

    If the cover is anything to go by, this book is going to be just as successful as your previous book! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    Reply
  169. 169

    Deepthi says

    Oct 11 at 5:36 am

    My favourite candy is my grandma’s sesame brittle (chikki, in Hindi)that she made using cane sugar and all kinds of delicious spices. When I was a kid, I used to take them to school and told all my friends that I had a chikki tree from which I used to pluck off a few chikkis every morning ;). They all believed me! 🙂

    Reply
  170. 170

    Laurel says

    Oct 11 at 6:30 pm

    Congratulations! Isn’t it wonderful when you can have so much fun and make a living too? My only other question is why there are never any book signings in Waxahachie, Texas? Of course, we don’t have a for real bookstore but hey, they’ll order it for you.

    Reply
  171. 171

    Eleanor says

    Oct 11 at 8:57 pm

    I would love to win a copy however, I cheated and bought my copy……. It arrived a few weeks ago and I can’t decide which one to make first!

    Reply
  172. 172

    anahita says

    Oct 12 at 8:32 am

    Dark chocolate covered honeycomb pieces!

    Reply
  173. 173

    maike says

    Oct 12 at 11:14 am

    Charleston chews … frozen 🙂

    Reply
  174. 174

    omri says

    Oct 12 at 1:03 pm

    I thought that my favorite candy is somthing else, until I saw your “formal strawberry” it look so GOOD!!! I hope to win this thing, because usaly english-recpie books get to isreal….:(

    Reply
  175. 175

    David says

    Mar 30 at 9:09 pm

    I just bought your book Field Guide to Candy. I was very impressed with how well you made the recipes so easy to follow. I had to check out your website. I work in sales and finance all day long. My escape and outlet is making desserts and dishes for others. Bringing a smile to people at the end of the day makes all the rest of the torment go away. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face. I don’t want the free book. I would rather buy it to show support. Thank you for your blog and talent!

    Reply
  176. 176

    Olivia C. says

    May 21 at 9:03 pm

    I know this has been out now for a few years, but there aren’t words to describe how much this book ROCKS!!!! 🙂 Every recipe in it is golden, and I can’t get enough! Thank you so much for an amazing resource!! 🙂

    Reply

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about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. More about pastrygirl

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