History

Modjeskas were created by an early 20th-century Louisville confectioner inspired by a performance of Polish-American actress Helena Modjeska at the Macauley's Theatre. The confection combines a soft homemade marshmallow centre dipped in a buttery caramel coating, a Louisville-only candy with a hundred-year history. Muth's Candies on East Market Street has produced modjeskas by hand since 1921, the family-owned confectioner now in its fourth generation of operation. Other Louisville candy makers including Bauer's and Schimpff's also produced the modjeska in their day; Muth's is the longest-running.

Common allergens: Dairy

Make it at home

Yield Makes 24 modjeskasHands-on 45 minTotal 4 hrDifficulty Advanced

Ingredients

  • For the marshmallow: 3 tbsp powdered gelatin, 120ml cold water, 450g granulated sugar, 240ml light corn syrup, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla extract, icing sugar for dusting
  • For the caramel: 450g granulated sugar, 240ml double cream, 240ml whole milk, 120g unsalted butter, 240ml light corn syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp salt

Method

  1. Make the marshmallow: bloom gelatin in 60ml cold water. Heat sugar, corn syrup, 60ml water and salt in a saucepan to 115C.
  2. Pour the hot syrup into a stand mixer, add the bloomed gelatin and whip 10 minutes until thick and fluffy. Mix in vanilla.
  3. Pour into a 20cm square pan dusted with icing sugar. Smooth the top and let set 4 hours.
  4. Cut the set marshmallow into 24 small squares. Dust with more icing sugar so they don't stick.
  5. Make the caramel: combine all caramel ingredients in a heavy pot. Cook over medium heat to 115C, stirring constantly.
  6. Off heat, dip each marshmallow square into the warm caramel, fully coating. Let drip and place on parchment.
  7. Cool until the caramel sets, around 1 hour. Wrap individually in waxed paper to store.

Tip from the editors. Get a candy thermometer; both the marshmallow and the caramel need exact temperatures. Don't rush the marshmallow set time.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat modjeska

Modjeska in Louisville

Muth's Candies ★ 4.7

Why locals love it: Locals send tourists to Whiskey Row; insiders walk three blocks south to Muth's, the 1921 confectioner where modjeskas are still rolled by hand.

Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Modjeska is the heritage candy: caramel marshmallow.

630 East Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202

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