Hway-ling started Sweetdragon Baking Company intending to make pies but took a detour after the owners of a food truck asked if she could make peanut brittle for them to sell. She was not excited by the idea. Most of us have tried (and been disappointed by) brittle that consists of a few measly peanuts tied together with a webbing of too hard, too sticky, too sweet and uninteresting hard candy. But since they asked, she decided to give it a try.
But she had never made candy before. She reviewed lots of recipes, read candy-making texts, watched YouTube videos and even consulted a Ph.D chemical engineer who told her that so many variables affect candy-making; that the only way to determine whether something worked was to, “try it and see.” After lots of experiments (family and friends kindly ate the failures), she came up with some recipes that hit her flavor and texture profile goals.
One of her first flavors was a black sesame brittle, inspired by her grandmother who didn’t eat sweets except for a black sesame seed filled bun that she made herself. In 2013, it won a Good Food Award. Along with her Black Sesame, Hway-ling’s peanut brittle flavors now include Serrano and peanut, chocolate stout, and even pumpkin ale! She also makes wonderful ginger and Black Sesame caramels, along with delicious almond cookies that fit with a Paleo diet.
We carry an ever-changing array of Sweetdragon treats at Discover San Jose. Never overly sweet and made with all natural ingredient, these brittles, caramels, and cookies make great gifts for anyone with a sweet-tooth! Or, you could always pick up a small, indulgent treat for yourself… We won’t tell.
Get more info at Sweetdragon’s website: sweetdragonbaking.com
Follow Sweetdragon on facebook: facebook.com/sweetdragonbaking
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