Microwave Hardtack

A major milestone in the hardtack making endeavor happened this weekend. I finally conquered the microwave! This has been no minor obstacle and has been over a year in the making. Last year I found a recipe for microwave hardtack and tried making it. I've always made the candy the way my mother did - on a gas stove with a candy thermometer and cutting it with a pair of scissors and rubber glove. I've experimented with other things but always came back to the same routine. This process is time-consuming to say the least with a batch taking about 30 min., that's as long as I don't burn it. Equipment is critical for my candy making, also. The pan must be no bigger than 2 quart (1 is better), heavy or copper bottom (for heat distribution) and have a straight side (for proper placement of the thermometer). I've been using my candy thermometer for as long as I can remember and my gloves have to be tight enough to pull the candy out and cut it. My first attempt at microwave candy was a disaster with it boiling over and burning. I was also trying some candy molds for the first time. I found that the mold would not hold my batch of candy. The second attempt was better but it still burned. The third attempt worked, did not burn, filled 2 molds and hardened like it was supposed to. The only change I will make is to put more candy oil in the microwave batch. I can now make a batch of candy in less than 10 minutes! I think my mother would be proud.