Until recently, I had never even heard of Oklahoma Nut Candy, but the name alone was intriguing enough to make me look it up. What I discovered was a sweet treat with a rich history that goes back decades! This candy first appeared in 1936 in the food column of The Daily Oklahoman, where it was originally called Aunt Bill’s Brown Candy. From there, it seems to have traveled far and wide, delighting candy lovers across the country. Clearly, people recognize a good Christmas treat when they taste it!
Over the years, the instructions for making Oklahoma Nut Candy have shifted slightly, but the core ingredients have remained mostly unchanged. At the heart of it all? Sugar—lots and lots of sugar. In fact, the recipe calls for a whopping six cups! Beyond the sugar, you’ll find other classic baking staples that you probably already have in your pantry.
When it comes to nuts, the choice is up to you. Historically, pecans and walnuts have been favorites, but I can’t help thinking that peanuts might bring a fun twist to the classic recipe. For my version, I decided to stick with tradition and used pecans, which give the candy that perfectly rich, nutty flavor.
