Leon County Cooks: Trudy Barnett Huffman

Trudy Huffman is the “Willie Wonka” of our family. Sherry’s Shots Christmas is the time for family and friends; the time to count our blessings and stop to reflect on what is truly important to our lives. With that statement in mind I want to introduce you to one of my greatest blessings; my sister and best friend, all wrapped up in one beautiful package.

Trudy Barnett Huffman currently lives in Palestine but was born in Flo which qualifies her to be a Leon County Cook. When she was five years old our family moved to Dallas and remained there for nine years, at which time they moved to Buffalo where she attended all four years of high school.

Trudy married Bob Huffman in 1971, graduated from Stephen F. Austin University and gave birth to their only child, Jason in 1976. Shortly after receiving her degree in Speech Therapy and Special Education she began teaching in the Palestine Independent School District. Later she earned her Master’s from SFA and “sort of retired” in 2003. She currently works half-time for PISD as an Assistive Technology Specialist.

Trudy was the younger sister and was the one who took care of our two brothers who were born after I had gotten married. When one brother was having problems in school at Buffalo Trudy and Bob took him into their home where he lived until he graduated high school from Palestine High. Then after our mother had a massive heart attack, seven years ago, Trudy and Bob, gave our other brother who has Down’s syndrome, a loving home.

One of Trudy’s specialties at the Holidays is making candy. She will be the first to tell you that reading cookbooks and trying new recipes are not her idea of having fun, but she makes the best, smoothest peanut patties in all of the world and Texas. When my kids and grandkids come home, without exception they send word before hand for her to have plenty of those treats on hand.

We grew up in a time when there weren’t too many extras, even at Christmas time. But somehow we managed to have homemade candies during the Holidays. Following are some of her recipes. Give them a try for a special homemade treat and enjoy. I seem to remember that these recipes are calorie free!?
PEANUT PATTIES
3 cups sugar
3 cups peanuts
1 cup corn syrup
½ cup evaporated milk
1 stick butter
1 tsp. vanilla
Red food coloring
Boil first four ingredients for five minutes. Remove from heat and add other three ingredients. Let cool for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. When mixture thickens and turns a pale pink color, drop from teaspoon onto wax paper.
PEANUT BRITTLE
1 cup sugar
½ cup white Karo syrup
1 ½ cup raw peanuts
1 T. butter
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix sugar, Karo, and peanuts in a large microwave safe dish and stir well.Microwave on high 8 minutes, stirring half way through (4 minutes). Add butter and vanilla Cook on high for 2 more minutes After cooking , remove and add baking soda. Stir well until mixture becomes foamy and light in color. Immediately pour on wax paper. Spread with a knife (about ¼ inch thick). Let sit until completely cool. Remove wax paper and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container. (You may need to reduce your cooking time if you have a new microwave).

EASY PECAN PRALINES

½ pint whip cream
1 box brown sugar
Mix & cook 13 minutes in
microwave.
Stir in 2 cups pecans & 2 T.
butter
Drop on waxed paper.
(You may need to reduce the cooking time for more powerful microwaves. This is an old recipe).

MICROWAVE FUDGE

1 lb. powdered sugar
¼ cup milk
½ cup cocoa
¼ tsp. salt
½ cup butter
1 cup nuts
1tsp. vanilla
Blend first four ingredients and half the butter in a 1 ½ quart casserole. Put remaining butter over top and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and blend in nuts and vanilla. Pour into buttered dish and chill.

MOUNDS CANDY

1 can Eagle Brand
1 pkg. coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1 pkg. chocolate almond
bark
Mix first three ingredients. Chill, then roll into balls. Chill again for several hours. Melt chocolate, dip balls in chocolate and cool on waxed paper.