Sesame Candies

From the Food Network

Sesame Honey Candy
Recipe courtesy Wayne Harley Brachman
1 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (shelled)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds (shelled)
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
Non-stick spray
In a saute pan, toast the seeds over medium heat for 2 minutes until golden (the pumpkins will pop). Combine the water, honey, and sugar in a saucepan. Over high heat, bring the syrup to 240 degrees F. Add the seeds and bring the syrup to hard crack (250 degrees F). Spritz a cookie sheet with non-stick spray and pour the syrup onto it. After a few minutes, score the candy into 2 by 1/2-inch bars. Let harden, and then cut into bars.

–and–

Uncle Bubba’s Benne Candy
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
1 cup sesame seeds
1 (1-pound) box light brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Heavily butter an 11 by 2-inch pyrex baking dish.
Wash sesame seeds and remove any debris that may be in the seeds and drain well. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat until a drop of water bounces around the skillet. Pour seeds into skillet and stir constantly. Dry and parch seeds until light brown, approximately 2 minutes. Do not burn seeds.

In a heavy saucepan, combine and melt the sugar, butter, milk and vinegar. Using a wooden spoon, stir constantly until ingredients are dissolved. Cook over medium high heat to light crack stage. If using a candy thermometer, the temperature should be between 265 and 285 degrees F. Once it reaches the desired temperature, remove from heat and beat in the sesame seeds with your spoon. Pour immediately into prepared dish. Score candy while still warm and cut into squares when cool.