Mine were out flying today during a break in the rain. It was great to see after the drop in temps a couple of days ago! The expected temp for tomorrow is 64 so I thought I would feed them if needed. How do you make the candy?
~Angie
Here is a candy recipe I use a lot, I will pour it into inner covers, paper plates or wax paper
FONDANT BEE CANDY RECIPE
This recipe is our choice for making a good fondant candy for the bees. We have chosen not to use corn syrup because of GMO and of all the hybridization that the corn plant has gone through. It has been proven not to be beneficial for the bees. Cream of Tarter is excluded for the same reason because it is not beneficial to the bees.
1. Use 1 part water to 4 parts sugar. 1 cup of sugar weighs 8 ounces.
2. Add 1/4 tsp. vinegar per pound of sugar.
The vinegar helps to break down the sugar as it cooks and will be evaporated.
3. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until boiling begins.
If you try to make the candy without stirring it will yield a transparent gel that will be extremely sticky.
4. Boil covered for 3 minutes without stirring.
5. Boil until mixture reaches 234F. Do not go over this temperature since this will cause the mixture to caramelize and will be harmful to the bees.
6. Remove from heat and allow to cool to 200F. This will cause the candy to have an increased thickness.
7. Whip with a whisk until whiteness occurs.
8. Quickly pour onto waxed paper having a towel beneath. Be sure that the towel is not fluffy since it will depress the cake’s width. This method will make a nice cake.
9. Allow to cool undisturbed.
10. Remove waxed paper and store each cake in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
The cakes can be handled as plates, but may be a little fudgy. They will be
completely white with whiter areas inside. Tiny crystals will shine from a
broken edge. Place fondant directly over the brood cluster so the bees can have access to it.