Lincoln Discussion Symposium

According to The Buffalo Express dated February 26, 1922, The Mary Lincoln Candy Co. was growing and opening a chain of stores called the Mary Lincoln Candy and Coffee Shop. Eighty stores were opening in cities such as Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. In addition to candy, coffee, and ice cream, patrons could enjoy lunch.

Within a few years, the chain grew to 500 stores and 50 factories nationwide. One of their best sellers was "Mary Lincoln Buttermilk Chocolate." I have searched the internet for a buttermilk chocolate recipe and have found ones for cakes, pies, cookies, and breads. I have found recipes for buttermilk candy, fudge, and buttermilk truffles with white chocolate, but no buttermilk chocolate candy.

Some of these stores lasted until the 1950's. Does anyone remember them? Has anyone ever had buttermilk chocolate candy?

You are making me hungry, Donna.

You don't need to be eating candy this early in the morning Roger!

Ah......a day without chocolate is like a day without sunshine!

Seriously, go here for information on the Mary Lincoln Candy Company - and we all thought that Mary Washington nailed that area of culinary expertise!

http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_...andies.htm

Never heard of it but am fascinated by it!

There is a label of the candy on Ebay.

(06-03-2013 06:56 AM)BettyO Wrote: [ -> ]Ah......a day without chocolate is like a day without sunshine!

Seriously, go here for information on the Mary Lincoln Candy Company - and we all thought that Mary Washington nailed that area of culinary expertise!

http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_...andies.htm

The photos are wonderful. I love the white hats the women wore to keep their hair out of the product.

It was a common practice to name companies after famous individuals. The Martha Washington Candy Co. was located in Washington DC. The Mary Lincoln Candy Co. was based in Buffalo, New York. And (my favorite being a Hoosier) the Betsy Ross Candy Co. was located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Probably one of the most successful companies named after a famous lady was the Dolly Madison Bakery. This company closed in 2012, but another corporation has purchased the brand, and products should start showing up on store shelves soon.

Does anyone think that perhaps Buttermilk chocolate was simply another name for white chocolate? or do you think it was a chocolate bon bon with a buttermilk cream center?

I LOVE old cookbooks! I found a recipe for Buttermilk Chocolate Candy. It has few ingredients and seems simple to make.
And here it is:

Buttermilk Chocolate Candy
2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
butter the size of a walnut (I'm guessing -- maybe 3 Tablespoons)
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

In a heavy bottom saucepan, melt butter and sugar together over low heat. Add buttermilk. Raise temperature slightly and boil mixture to soft ball stage when dropped in cold water.
Remove from heat. Add vanilla if desired. Beat until creamy.
Pour into a buttered pan. ut into squares and roll into balls.
Dip into melted chocolate.

Now, if my grandmother were to make this kind of candy, she would probably cook the mixture in an iron skillet. I would use a quality chocolate such as the kind purchased at a candy/cake supply store. Semi-sweet chocolate chips and paraffin could be used - but I'm not a fan of the wax content. I may have to try to make some of this for our church bazaar. It looks very simple.

I'll be experimenting with the buttermilk chocolate candy this weekend! YUM!!

One question: My grandmother made our butter from scratch while I was little, and I loved her buttermilk. However, modern buttermilk from the store tastes nothing like hers and doesn't even have the same consistency. Would Mary Lincoln Candy of even 75 years ago taste the same as what is made with this recipe?

Laurie, try organic buttermilk. I don't know if it will be the same or not, but it will be closer than most. Also, at our local farmer markets, there are families who sell fresh dairy. Maybe there are some in your area as well. There must be a way to find the same taste.

Betty -- you must let us know how it taste!!

I will probably wait until fall to make this. Our church bazaar is in November.

(06-05-2013 05:45 PM)BettyO Wrote: [ -> ]I'll be experimenting with the buttermilk chocolate candy this weekend! YUM!!

Did you make this candy? If so, what did you think? My church bazaar is coming up, and if this is good, I'll try my hand at making it as well.

Donna -

Yes, I did make the candy! It was pretty good - creamy and very rich. But I used regular, store bought buttermilk and Donna, it is pretty good!

I also have a pumpkin fudge recipe to die for!

(09-15-2013 03:19 PM)BettyO Wrote: [ -> ]Donna -

Yes, I did make the candy! It was pretty good - creamy and very rich. But I used regular, store bought buttermilk and Donna, it is pretty good!

I also have a pumpkin fudge recipe to die for!

Please share the pumpkin fudge recipe! It seems that every year, we make the same candies for the bazaar. While I know I have to make red hots and lemon hard candy, I would really like to find some different goodies to share. How long can the fudge me made in advance?