Old-Fashioned Taffy

Old-Fashioned
Taffy

Children of all ages
enjoy making their own
taffy! This is a fun
activity for an entire family.

Safety Warning: Adult supervision is required.



What You Will Need:

• 1 Cup Sugar
• 3/4 Cup Light Corn Syrup
• 2/3 Cup Water
• 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 2 Teaspoons Vanilla
• Food Coloring (optional)
• Candy Thermometer (optional)
• Medium-sized Saucepan
• Wooden Spoon
• Buttered Cookie Sheet
• Wax Paper (or Glassine Bags)

What You Do:

• Mix all the ingredients, except vanilla, in a medium-sized saucepan.
• Stir the mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil.
• Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture, and stir occasionally until the taffy reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit. (Note: If you do not have a candy thermometer, continue heating the taffy until a small amount dropped into cold water forms a hard ball - this typically takes about 20 minutes of cooking).
• Remove taffy from heat and stir in the vanilla.
• If you want to make different colored taffy, stir in a drop or two of food coloring.
• Butter a cookie sheet to prevent the taffy from sticking to it.
• Pour the prepared taffy onto the cookie sheet, turning the edges of the taffy in toward the center as it cools.
• When the taffy is cool enough to safely handle, butter your hands and pull off pieces of the taffy to pull and twist. Pull the taffy until it changes color and becomes satiny. (Note: Do not allow the taffy to cool completely before pulling, or it will harden and become very difficult to pull). Pulling taffy typically takes about 10 minutes - get those muscles in shape!
• When the taffy is ready, form the taffy into strips and cut with a buttered scissors to form one-inch pieces. Wrap the taffy in waxed paper (or glassine bags).

Variations:

• Experiment with different flavoring extracts - vanilla, lemon, raspberry, spearmint, etc.
• Make it a party! Invite friends over and make taffy together. Fun for kids!
• Twist two different colored ropes of taffy together to form colorful candies.
• Flatten a small piece of taffy, then place another different colored/flavored piece of taffy on top. Roll together and cut into pieces. Experiment with different patterns, colors, and flavors for unique candy pieces.

The Science:

Pulling and twisting the taffy allows the taffy to become more airy - giving it a lighter, chewier consistency.