10 Sweet and Spicy Cowboy Candy Recipes

Cowboy Candy Recipes

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a culinary masterpiece that seamlessly blends the sweet, the spicy, and the tangy: Pineapple Jalapeno Cowboy Candy. This delectable treat features juicy chunks of pineapple, infused with the zest of fresh jalapenos and the comforting warmth of brown sugar, creating an irresistible symphony of flavors.

The preparation of this delectable dish is surprisingly effortless, requiring only a few simple steps. Begin by carefully slicing fresh pineapples into bite-sized pieces, ensuring each morsel captures the fruit’s natural sweetness and tangy essence. Next, finely dice a handful of crisp jalapenos, releasing their fiery essence that will dance upon your palate. In a spacious saucepan, combine the pineapple and jalapenos with granulated sugar, brown sugar, and a hint of apple cider vinegar, creating a flavorful marinade.

Bring the marinade to a gentle boil, allowing the sugars to dissolve and infuse the fruit with their caramel-like sweetness. As the mixture thickens and bubbles, reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking until the pineapple becomes translucent and tender, absorbing the zesty flavors of the jalapenos. The result is a tantalizing elixir, perfect for savoring as a standalone treat or as a vibrant accompaniment to your favorite dishes.

Gather Your Ingredients

To make this sweet and spicy treat, you’ll need a few simple ingredients: pineapples, jalapeños, white sugar, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, and salt. The specific quantities of each ingredient will vary depending on how much Cowboy Candy you want to make, but here’s a general guideline:

**Pineapples:** Use fresh, ripe pineapples for the best flavor. Peel, core, and cut the pineapple into bite-sized chunks.

**Jalapeños:** Choose fresh jalapeños that are firm and have a vibrant green color. Remove the stems and seeds, and finely dice the peppers.

**White sugar:** Granulated white sugar is the sweetener of choice in this recipe. It provides a base for the flavorful syrup that coats the pineapple and jalapeños.

**Granulated sugar:** Brown sugar adds a hint of caramel-like sweetness to the Cowboy Candy. It complements the spicy heat of the jalapeños and balances the acidity of the vinegar.

**Apple cider vinegar:** Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy flavor to the syrup, which helps to cut through the sweetness. Use a high-quality vinegar for the best results.

**Water:** Water is used to thin out the syrup, making it pourable and easy to coat the pineapple and jalapeños.

**Salt:** A small amount of salt helps to balance the flavors and enhances the sweetness of the Cowboy Candy.

Ingredient	Quantity
Pineapples	2 cups
Jalapeños	1/2 cup
White sugar	1 cup
Brown sugar	1/2 cup
Apple cider vinegar	1/4 cup
Water	1/4 cup
Salt	1/4 teaspoon

Prepare the Jalapeños

Preparing the jalapeños is an important step, as it helps to remove some of the heat and acidity. Here’s a more detailed guide:

1. Wear Gloves

Capsaicin, the compound that gives jalapeños their heat, can cause skin irritation. It’s important to wear gloves when handling jalapeños, especially if you have sensitive skin.

2. Remove the Stems and Seeds

The stem and seeds of jalapeños contain the highest concentration of capsaicin. To reduce the heat, use a sharp knife to remove the stems and seeds. Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise, then use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and pith. Rinse the jalapeños under cold water to remove any remaining seeds or capsaicin.

3. Slice the Jalapeños

Once the jalapeños are destemmed and seeded, slice them into thin rings or strips. The thinner the slices, the more evenly the heat will distribute. Use a sharp knife to make clean, uniform cuts.

4. Optional: Marinate the Jalapeños

To further reduce the heat and acidity of the jalapeños, you can marinate them in a mixture of water and vinegar or lemon juice. Combine equal parts water and vinegar or lemon juice in a bowl and let the jalapeños soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drain the jalapeños before using.

By following these steps, you can prepare the jalapeños for your cowboy candy, ensuring that they are flavorful but not overpowering in heat.

Slice the Pineapple

Pineapple is the star of the show in cowboy candy, so it’s important to choose a ripe and juicy one. Once you’ve got your pineapple, slice off the top and bottom, then cut it in half lengthwise. Use a sharp knife to remove the core, then slice the pineapple into thin, even slices.

How to Choose a Ripe Pineapple

When choosing a pineapple, look for one that is heavy for its size and has a deep golden color. The leaves should be green and not easily pulled out. Avoid pineapples with any bruises or soft spots.

How to Slice a Pineapple

Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple.
Cut the pineapple in half lengthwise.
Use a sharp knife to remove the core.
Slice the pineapple into thin, even slices.

How to Remove the Core of a Pineapple

There are two ways to remove the core of a pineapple. You can use a sharp knife to cut around the core, then scoop it out with a spoon. Or, you can use a pineapple corer, which is a specialized tool that removes the core in one easy step.

Make the Sugar Syrup

Measure and prepare your ingredients

Begin by measuring out 1 cup of pineapple juice, 1 cup of jalapeño juice, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup of brown sugar. In a medium-size saucepan, combine all of the ingredients and stir until the sugar dissolves.

Bring the syrup to a boil over medium heat

Once the sugar has dissolved, bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the syrup has thickened. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the syrup from burning.

Test the syrup for readiness

To test the readiness of the syrup, drop a small amount onto a plate. If the syrup holds its shape and doesn’t run off, it is ready. If the syrup is too thin, continue to simmer for a few more minutes. If the syrup is too thick, add a splash of water and stir until combined.

Prepare the pineapple and jalapeños

While the syrup is simmering, prepare the pineapple and jalapeños. Remove the core and skin from the pineapple, then cut it into 1-inch cubes. Remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeños, then finely chop them.

Add the pineapple and jalapeños to the syrup

Once the syrup is ready, add the pineapple and jalapeños to the saucepan. Stir to combine and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the pineapple is softened and the jalapeños are heated through.

Serve

Serve the cowboy candy warm or cold. It can be enjoyed on its own, spooned over ice cream or yogurt, or used as a topping for grilled meats or fish.

Combine the Pineapple and Jalapeños

Combine the pineapple chunks and sliced jalapeños in a large Dutch oven or stockpot. Add the sugar, brown sugar, water, apple cider vinegar, and salt to the pot. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the pineapple is translucent and the liquid has thickened.

During the simmering process, stir the mixture occasionally to prevent burning. The mixture will thicken as it cooks and will eventually reach a syrupy consistency.

To test the consistency, dip a spoon into the mixture and allow it to cool slightly. The mixture should coat the back of the spoon and run off in a slow, steady stream.

If the mixture is too thick, add a little bit of water and stir until dissolved. If the mixture is too thin, continue to simmer until it reaches the desired consistency.

Ingredients	Amount
Pineapple Chunks	1 (20 ounce) can
Sliced Jalapeños	1 (4 ounce) can
Sugar	1 cup
Brown Sugar	1/2 cup
Water	1/2 cup
Apple Cider Vinegar	1/4 cup
Salt	1/2 teaspoon

Simmer the Mixture

Now that your ingredients are combined, it’s time to simmer the mixture until it thickens. This process will concentrate the flavors and create a delicious sauce. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to simmering:

Bring to a Boil: Place the pot containing the pineapple-jalapeno mixture over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Reduce Heat and Simmer: Once the mixture boils, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for the following durations based on desired consistency:

Desired Consistency Simmering Time

Soft Set 30-45 minutes

Medium Set 45-60 minutes

Firm Set 60-90 minutes

Stir the mixture frequently as it simmers to prevent burning at the bottom.
Monitor the Consistency: As the mixture simmers, it will start to thicken. To check the consistency, drip a small amount onto a cold plate. If it wrinkles or holds its shape for a moment, it has reached the desired set.
Remove from Heat and Cool: Once the mixture has reached the desired consistency, remove it from heat and let it cool slightly before proceeding to the next step.

Desired Consistency	Simmering Time
Soft Set	30-45 minutes
Medium Set	45-60 minutes
Firm Set	60-90 minutes

Thicken the Syrup

Once the syrup has reduced and thickened slightly, add a cornstarch slurry to further thicken it. A cornstarch slurry is simply a mixture of equal parts cornstarch and water that is whisked together until smooth. Gradually add the slurry to the syrup while whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until the syrup has reached your desired consistency.

Here are some tips for thickening the syrup with a cornstarch slurry:

Tip
Start with a small amount of slurry and add more as needed.
Whisk the slurry constantly while adding it to the syrup to prevent lumps.
Bring the syrup back to a simmer after adding the slurry and cook for a few minutes, or until the syrup has thickened to your liking.

If you don’t have cornstarch on hand, you can use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch instead. These starches will also thicken the syrup effectively.

Remove the Candy from Heat

Once the candy has been cooked to the desired consistency, it is time to remove it from the heat. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Prepare a cold water bath: Fill a large bowl or sink with cold water and ice.
Transfer the candy to the water bath: Using heat-resistant gloves, carefully pour the hot candy into the cold water bath.
Stir the candy in the water bath: Use a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula to stir the candy continuously. This will help to cool it down and prevent crystallization.
Check the temperature: Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature of the candy. Continue stirring until the temperature has dropped below 120°F (49°C).
Remove the candy from the water bath: Once the candy has cooled to the desired temperature, use a slotted spoon or strainer to remove it from the water bath.
Spread the candy on a baking sheet: Spread the candy in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Break the candy into pieces: Once the candy has cooled completely, break it into desired-sized pieces.
Store the candy: Store the candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Store the Pineapple Jalapeño Cowboy Candy

Store the pineapple jalapeño cowboy candy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The candy will thicken as it cools, so if it becomes too thick, you can add a little bit of water or pineapple juice to thin it out. You can also freeze the candy for up to 6 months. To freeze, place the candy in an airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months. To thaw, remove the candy from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for several hours or overnight.

Tips for Storing Pineapple Jalapeño Cowboy Candy

Tip	Description
Store in an airtight container.	This will prevent the candy from drying out or absorbing odors from other foods.
Keep refrigerated.	This will help to preserve the candy and prevent it from spoiling.
Freeze for longer storage.	Freezing the candy will extend its shelf life to up to 6 months.
Thaw at room temperature.	When you’re ready to eat the candy, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for several hours or overnight.

How to Make Pineapple Jalapeno Cowboy Candy

Cowboy candy is a sweet and spicy treat made with pineapple, jalapenos, and sugar. It’s perfect for snacking on, adding to salads, or using as a topping for desserts. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh pineapple, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup chopped jalapenos (fresh or canned)
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup water

Instructions:

Combine the pineapple, jalapenos, sugar, and water in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the pineapple is translucent and the liquid has thickened.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Pour the cowboy candy into a jar or other airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.