Heavenly Hash Bars

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 16 Servings

Heavenly Hash may be better known as an ice cream flavor, but it actually started out as a candy. The homemade treat was originally created by a New Orleans department store to pass out to shoppers, up until the recipe was acquired by Elmer’s Candy Corp and promptly launched into large scale production. That was 1923, and the egg-shaped chocolate and marshmallow confection still remains a Louisiana Easter tradition.

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
16 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
2 cups roasted, salted almonds, kept whole
2 cups miniature marshmallows

Instructions

Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper with enough excess hanging over the sides of the pan to use as "handles"; spray paper with cooking spray.
Combine the sugar, evaporated milk, and corn syrup in a medium-sized, heavy saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking often, and continue boiling the mixture until it reaches 218°F to 220°F on an instant read thermometer, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let cool for 2 minutes. Fold in chocolate and vanilla and stir until melted. Let cool for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, then fold in the nuts and marshmallows.
Transfer the chocolate mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly with a silicone spatula. Refrigerate the candy until firm, at least two hours. Using the parchment paper handles, remove the candy from the baking dish and cut into squares. (It helps to use a knife dipped in hot water.)
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Pull 5 to 10 minutes prior to serving.