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This is a recipe I got from my Grandmother Cornetha. She and my Papa Reed (Mama’s Daddy) got married when my mother was fourteen, adding a whole other branch to our family tree. Honestly, at this point we got one of those HUGE oak trees with all of the branches jutting out all over the place (you know I had thirteen living grandparents when I was born, right?).
Cornetha (called Mama Reed by my children) and Papa hosted all of the big Reed family reunions at their farm each summer and she used to let us come stay with them during vacation bible school week so that we could attend it at her church. I loved getting to spend the night there because each morning she’d let you go and gather the eggs from the chicken coop. Have you ever gathered eggs? It is a bit harrowing for beginners seeing as how those chickens can look a little vicious at times. This is why I made my sister go with me. She was a good chicken-runner-offer and I could just reach into the empty nest and find the little treasures. To this day, there is nothing like fresh eggs for breakfast and my heart will always long for my own chicken coop.
~sighs~ I’m gonna eventually have to leave Bountiful and move to the country, I know. My heart already lives there despite my city limits address.
Of course, there was one drawback of spending the night at the Reed farm – and that was the clothes line. Each morning after breakfast, before we left for church, Cornetha would set out with her basket to the line. You’d hear the clothes snapping as she gave ’em a good shake to get the wrinkles out and then hung them on the line, just knowing that your underwear was among them. This wouldn’t have been so bad back at home because our clothes line was in the back yard but out there on the farm Papa had set Cornetha’s up in the most convenient spot, just outside the laundry room door, parallel with and having an unobstructed view from the road. I remember trying to hide my clothes before I went to bed but let me tell you, I’ve never in all of my born days known anyone more efficient with clothes washing than my Grandmother Cornetha! Lo and behold, no matter what avoidance tactic you used (and we tried them all), come early morning that sun would rise on your undies hanging on the line.
We survived it, though, and I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything in the world. Come to think of it, I really need to get a clothes line of my own put up….
~grins~
You’ll need: Sweetened condensed milk, strawberry gelatin powder, green food coloring, red crystal sprinkles, sweetened flaked coconut, finely chopped nuts (I’m using pecans)…
and some slivered almonds.
Pour your sweetened condensed milk into a bowl.
I could just drink a whole can of this if my blood sugar would let me. I swannee, anything with sweetened condensed milk in it is delicious!
Add your coconut and nuts
And gelatin powder.
Stir and stir and stir and stir and stir until it looks like this.
(It won’t take long, I just felt like being dramatic)
Cover with foil and let sit in the refrigerator for 48 hours.
24 hours later…
Oh who are we kidding? Like I’m gonna wait forty eight hours on anything. I didn’t even let my own kids wait til their due dates. I have the patience of a hyperactive gnat on sugar.
So the next day go ahead and take that out (unless you want to follow the original instructions and not be rebel with me, whatever cranks yer tractor).
Spoon up about a teaspoon full like this.
and shape into a strawberry…
and roll around in sugar.
Now do that a whole bunch more times..
Like this.
Now we need to dye our almonds. I place mine in a sandwich baggie
and pour about a tablespoon or so (I use too much so feel free to use less!) of green food coloring in the bag.
Seal that and move them around to give them a good coating.
Then pour them out onto a paper towel lined plate to dry.
If you like, you can also put them in a baking dish and put them in the oven on 250 to speed up the drying process.
Stick one in the end of each strawberry.
Like so.
and so
Aren’t they pretty? They taste YUMMY, too!
Cornetha’s Strawberry Candy Ingredients- 1 Cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 Cup finely chopped nuts (I used pecans)
- 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 - 3 ounce boxes strawberry gelatin
- 1-2 jars red sugar crystals (you can get by on one, but I used 1½)
- slivered almonds (you just need about three dozen pieces, ½ a cup is more than enough)
- green food coloring
Instructions- In a medium bowl, combine milk, coconut, nuts, and gelatin powder, mixing well. Cover and refrigerate for 48 hours. Remove and form teaspoonfuls into strawberry shape. Roll in red sugar. Dye almonds green with food coloring and place one in the end of each strawberry as a stem. Store in refrigerator. *Makes about three dozen.
- 1 Cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 Cup finely chopped nuts (I used pecans)
- 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 - 3 ounce boxes strawberry gelatin
- 1-2 jars red sugar crystals (you can get by on one, but I used 1½)
- slivered almonds (you just need about three dozen pieces, ½ a cup is more than enough)
- green food coloring
- In a medium bowl, combine milk, coconut, nuts, and gelatin powder, mixing well. Cover and refrigerate for 48 hours. Remove and form teaspoonfuls into strawberry shape. Roll in red sugar. Dye almonds green with food coloring and place one in the end of each strawberry as a stem. Store in refrigerator. *Makes about three dozen.
Sometimes we are given guidance through subtle signs, smiling faces, and inner confirmations. I’m always grateful for those. My favorite times, though, are when the guidance comes through the equivalent of flashing lights and neon billboards! I think today’s quote may be a repeat (I might have sent it out in the past two weeks) but the circumstances surrounding it are pretty neat so I’m going to take my big hint and send it again.
You see, I’d never seen, read, or heard this quote until a few weeks ago. Since first happening upon it, I’ve had it emailed to me three times, happened upon it countless others, and just last night Leigh posted it on the Give A Penny Page. So I’m gonna consider that a divine sign that it bears repeating today!
Keep a green tree in your heart
and perhaps a singing bird will come.
-Chinese Proverb Submitted by Leigh. Submit your quote here.
Yum 
Thank you so very very much. I cannot tell you how much this recipe means to me. My Granny, my cousin and I used to make these ALL the time. My Granny passed about 4 years ago and we were very very close. But noone could remember this recipe. You just made my day, heck, my year. Maybe this was Granny’s way of telling me Hi. 🙂 I wish you could see me crying at work. Thank you so so so very much.
Love,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
I cannot thank you enough for your comment. This is what it is all about. I’ve had so many dear, dear people in my life that aren’t with me anymore and when I can make one of their recipes or happen upon one that I thought was lost forever, it brings them back so vividly.
I can guarantee you that this is your Granny’s way of saying hi to you, I bet you can even feel her giving you a hug if you close your eyes.
Please tell her thank you for me :).
I’m sharing your tears on this one.
Love and Gratitude,
Christy
We (Granny) called it “making memories”. The reason it was so touching for me is that we did this when we were elementary school age, but up until the day Granny passed talked about the “strawberry memory” constantly. I am going to make these with MY daughters who never got to make them with Granny and “make a memory”…
And just because of this post I want to buy your cookbook instead of just printing recipes off the internet. I am your faithful supporter.
xoxo
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, you are the gift that keeps on giving today!
My cheeks hurt from smiling now. Thank you thank you thank you!
That is so dear, too, about the strawberry memory. I remember the one time Daddy made cookies with us, it was the only time he ever even attempted it. Mama hardly ever went anywhere but she wanted to learn to cross stitch and found a little single evening class. I honestly don’t remember being left with just Daddy any other time than that one! Anyway, Daddy burned the cookies but we ate them anyway. The amazing thing is how vivid the memory is, even though we only did it that one time.
It sounds to me like all of you knew that was going to be a special memory as you were making it, and Granny wanted you to hold onto it even now.
Is it okay if I love your Granny, too?
Gratefully
Christy
Gee ladies, you’ve both succeeded in making me cry at work. Reading Christy’s info about today’s quote and reading this really IS what it’s all about. 🙂
Also, I just got my giveaway Veggie Tales DVD today (via mail from my office being mailed UPS to my house, lol) along with a handwritten note from Christy. Made me smile and I know we have lots of fun family memories about to be made with the Silly Songs that my children will always remember……….when they are old enough to realize this blog is how their Mama learned to cook, they’re going to be thanking Christy themselves in some fashion too I reckon!
Hey Lisa!
I just gotta apologize for that note. I really enjoy handwriting notes to people but feel everyone should come with an apology because my handwriting is so incredibly horrendous. Here are my list of excuses:
1. I’ve gotten so used to typing that I seldom write anymore
2. I’ve always had bad handwriting
3. I actually have arthritis in my hands (this is the one that is incredibly true but I count on it to win me understanding based on sympathy when I write REALLY horribly).
I tell you, all of today’s comments have just given me so much personal affirmation. I just feel like I’m in the right place at the right time, and surrounded by some of the most wonderful people in the entire universe. I sure do hope I get to meet all of y’all someday.
I hope you enjoy that DVD. As I type this the Larry Boy theme song is floating into my room from the den. Katy and I were just singing the Yodeling Veterinarian Of The Alps in the car a while ago, too. The kids want a DVD player in the car but it dawned on me a few days back that if we had that, they’d sit there and watch tv whenever we went places. We’d miss out on singing silly songs and telling silly jokes and all of the other fun things that come from family car trips – even short ones.
I’m not telling Bradybug, but I sure do hope we never have a DVD player in the car 🙂
Gratefully,
Christy
Christy~
You can love Granny TOO! She was the ultimate Southern Woman. She could still stand on her head at the age of 70 something! Had boxed wine in the fridge, Kahlua on the counter, and would cuss like a sailor as she whipped up dinner! 🙂 And as she would say…ROLL TIDE.
xoxo
Elizabeth
How funny we both had Granny’s who made these, and lots of memories, with us!!
Oh my goodness, these are fantastic! My daughter is turning 3 in April and has told me that she wants a “strawberry cake with candles and sparkles” for it. These candy strawberries are going to look awesome as decorations on and around the cake! Thank you so much!!!
Great idea Emily! So much better than using more frosting!!!
WOW WEE WOW WOW! Those look great! I can’t wait to try them! Its like faux food you can still eat! HA!
These look interesting I have never seen anything like them before, unfortunately I don’t eat coconut. I do love the stories that come with all your recipes though, I love to see clothes lines to this day.
You can just leave the coconut out, no problem! I need a clothesline, feel the same way you do!
Gratefully,
Christy
Thank you so much for this! My mother passed away suddenly when I was 5. This is the only thing I remember making with her. It took me years to get a recipe for them. We would dip the tops in green sugar and stick green toothpicks in for the stem.
Hey Sal,
Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman. I’m so glad you can carry on her recipes!
This comment warmed my heart more than I can say.
Gratefully,
Christy
Thanks for the memories! I remember helping my Grandma gather eggs! I also remember helping wring their necks!! Oh what a fun day that was LOL
Wow – blast from the past!! I remember my neighbor invited me over many years ago and she showed me how to make these. I always wanted the recipe and now I do thanks to Southern Plate!! Love ya Christy!!!!
Jeanette
Oh, Christy, I found myself longing for a clothes line just this week. The weather has been so Spring-like I couldn’t help but think how much better the sheets and towels would be if they could be hung up outside. Sadly, I live in a neighborhood where they would have the biggest conniption fits if I hung a line. I live below the Mason-Dixon, but sometimes I swear you wouldn’t know it! 🙂
As a child, I too hated to see our clothes hanging on the line for all to see. Isn’t it funny how you change your opinions as you get older?
My Granny used to love these. Sadly, she is no longer with us. I actually cried when I saw these because it made me think of her. I will get the ingredients and make them for my kids this weekend.
This has turned out to be an emotional post for a lot of people and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you commenting. I feel like Grannies who have passed on are reaching down and hugging us all today!
Me too AMY! Me too!!!
This has to be the cutest candy I have ever seen! What a neat idea! I have never heard of these before. I will have to try these sometime soon! They really do look like strawberries! LOL!!! 😉
I love reading all these comments. Y’all have some wonderful memories. The only candy I had when I was little was whatever penny candy they sold at the corner candy store. I loved the visits to that store, some of the candy isn’t even made anymore. ~sigh~ but the memories will last.
I just love reading your posts. Ah, the clothes line, I so feel you on that one, and it always seemed that all grandma’s had theirs in view of the entire world. As kids we did not realize that we were not the only ones being tortured with the clothes line in plain view, every kid at grandma’s had the same experience, but then again when you are 10 the whole world revolves around your world…lol
erica
p.s. candies sound good too…:)
Well…ummmm…..I MUST be a durn Yankee because I’ve never even heard of or seen anything like this! lol It would never even dawn on me to do something like this either. hehe It does look rather tasty though. Is there a difference if you don’t wait 48 hours though? Is it less congealed or something?
Thanks for bringing us another cool story from your family Christy!!
Oh, BTW, I left out my clothes line story because it’s not exactly G-rated. We’ll just leave with the image of lil ol me needing fresh underwear and having to run out to the clothes line to get em. hehe
I do prefer real ones, but those are too cute!
Woo Hoo!!! We had a dear friend of the family who use to make these and she has moved to GA so we don’t get to see her often. Seeing this reminds me of all the memories I shared with her. I think I will surprise everyone and make up some for Easter. She would make leaves on hers with green icing, I like the almond stem too!
I have not seen these in many years and they are so pretty sitting in a dish. I think this would be a terrific thing for my grandughter and I do do on our Saturday night “girls night in”. I always try to have something special to entertain her and these are surely special. Just think maybe somewhere a generation or two away she will think of me as she shows her children Nana’s strawberries. No hurry though LOL.
I don’t remember ever having these! They sure are pretty, though! It does seem like anything with sweetened condensed milk is good!
Christy, I’m still in awe over the fact that you had 13 living grandparents a one time. How awesome is that!!! I had only one Grandmother (she died the same year my mother did ’65). I was 11, I remember going to her apartment, she had this little machine that you cranked, that made home rolled cigarettes. I bet between my brothers and I we made enough cigarettes to last a year or more.hehe Than we would play dominoes. Thanks for the memories!!!
Hi everyone!
I just know I have had these before, more than likely from honey-pie hubby’s Mama’s house in Augusta Ga. I remember that they look soooo purdy and taste soo good. I am eager to make these now and see how my first attempt turns out.
Thanks everyone for sharing about your Grandmama’s and Mama’s on this post. It is nice to hear how recipes/food can truly reconnect you with loved ones that have passed on. I always knew that, right Christy-poo? Thanks for sharing about your underwear too today. You know, most folks wear them….I’m jes sayin’ ……
Hugs to all ya’ll!
LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Hello Christy,
Your strawberry candies are the prettiest,sweetest, most delightful treats I’ve seen in forever. I look forward to calling them “Christy Spring Delights” and making them part of every Easter celebration! I don’t know who will love them more, Kent, the boys or me!
Hope you and your family enjoy a blessed Easter!
Maralee
Those look like a lot of fun to make with kids! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe Christy. You are so awesome!
I was reading that first comment by Elizabeth and it also brought tears to my eyes. My Grannie is still with me, and we are also very close, but I really dread the day the Lord takes her home. Hope you have a blessed day!
Your friend from Louisiana,
Vickie
Bless your heart Christy….this is the first time I’ve heard anybody “swannee” in many many years! Thank you for saying it!
P.S. Reminds me of another “southernism” I still hear people say occasionally….”They lawww!!!!” lol….have you ever heard that one? I’ll be you have…;)
Hey Christy,
These look delish!
What can I substitute for chopped nuts? My kids are allergic.
Also, can sugar free jello work?
thanks!
Sugar Free jello will work just fine and I’d just leave the nuts out altogether, you won’t know a difference!
Gratefully,
Christy 🙂
We had a clothesline when I was a kid and I had three younger brothers, two much younger than me. I can’t tell you how many diapers I hung on the line over the years. Our line had three strands and my Mom had a rule; sheets and towels on the first line and underwear in the back so it wouldn’t be seen from the street. Loved your story; it reminded me of all those times I had to hang out the clothes!
Funny, I had thought about clotheslines this week, too. My mother used “pants stretchers,” adjustable metal frames that went inside the legs of pants while they hung on the line to keep them from having wrinkles. We lived so far out in the country that nobody ever saw what we had hanging on the line. After we were married my husband would hang clothes on our line on his day off while I was at work. One of the male neighbors told him he had to stop that — the other wives were getting ideas!
Love your stories as well as your recipes!
Oh, Aunt Charley, I had forgotten those pants stretchers and how very funny they looked hanging on the line to dry. I can remember our hanging out clothes when they froze before you could get them up there and to bring them in you thought they would break before they thawed. Had to bend them over your arm to quickly get yourself back in the house to the heat. I live in Tenn if you are wondering still below the Mason Dixon Line.
Love you site Christy I have never seen or heard of the strawberry candy just wonder how they would store as can’t wait too close to Easter to make them. Airtight or not? Refrigerate or not?
We still have those pants stretchers in our basement, my parents never threw anything out. My dad is 87 and I bet he has a pair of britches on them stretchers right now, he also has a good bit of rope to hold some of his britches up when he works in the garden.
I would also love to know how to best store these.. Thanks for the recipe!!!
Never mind…..went back and saw it on the recipe to store in refrigerator. Sorry!!!
Christy,
I finally got around to reading this post. My computer has been doing its own thing lately … really slowly.
We have a U-pick strawberry patch and I would love to make these to get into the spirit of the season. However, my son is allergic to nuts. I saw where you told someone they could leave the coconut out, so I’m guessing I could keep the coconut and leave the nuts out, right? Do you have any suggestions for what to use for the stem? I’m thinking piece of green fruit roll-up or gum drop(?)
Thanks,
Beverly