does any natural sweetner harden like sugar?

[WhiteTara]

I'm trying to mimic a prepared nut bar that's basically held together by hfcs and sugar. I tried honey and agave and it's just a gooey mess; not what I planned. Any suggestions?

[beac]

1. Can't vouch for it personally, but I hear isomalt hardens as well as sugar.

I'd copied this recipe a (LONG!) while ago, thinking I would make the intriguing "black mustard, fennel, and coriander" brittle and I'd actually kind of forgotten about it until your post. I Googled to find the original page here:

http://www.herbivoracious.com/2008/01/fun-with-isomal.html

[WhiteTara]

2. thank you! I just bought some

and some pom molasses and vanilla beans.
What a great website by the way!
Thanks again! :hi:

[beac]

3. Yes, I was glad your post reminded me so I could add it to my bookmarks.

I think I had it bookmarked on my previous laptop, but it fell thru the cracks when I got the new one.

[Lucinda]

4. Seeing that website reminded me that i've seen pastry chefs

experiment with isomalt. Thanks for the link!

[Denninmi]

5. Well, isn't that a freaky little thing.

Who knew?

[Tsiyu]

6. Maple might help

Boil pure maple syrup down, but don't let it scorch.

Not sure how it will work for that application but tasty.