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Homemade Saltwater Taffy Recipe

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4.1 from 3 reviews

This homemade saltwater taffy recipe delivers chewy, flavorful candy perfect for wrapping and sharing. It combines classic ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, and butter, cooked to the perfect soft crack stage, then pulled and shaped by hand to create a satin-textured, sweet treat. With customizable flavors and colors, this traditional candy is a fun project and delicious reward.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 30-40 pieces
  • Category: Candy
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 Tbsp corn starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (sea salt or kosher)

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 2/3 cup water

Additional

  • Food coloring (3-4 drops)
  • 1/2 teaspoon concentrated flavoring oil (or 1 teaspoon extract)
  • Butter for greasing pan and hands

Instructions

  1. Prepare baking sheet: Butter a baking sheet thoroughly and set it aside to prevent sticking of the taffy later.
  2. Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn starch, salt, butter, corn syrup, and water.
  3. Heat mixture: Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the sugar mixture comes to a boil.
  4. Cook to temperature: Attach a candy thermometer to the pan. Without stirring, allow the mixture to cook until it reaches 250-253°F, the soft crack stage, which ensures proper taffy texture.
  5. Remove from heat and add flavor: Take the pan off the heat. Quickly stir in 3-4 drops of food coloring and your chosen flavoring oil or extract.
  6. Pour mixture onto baking sheet: Immediately pour the hot mixture onto the prepared buttered baking sheet and let it cool until it’s warm enough to handle but not hot.
  7. Grease hands and start pulling: Butter your hands or food-safe gloves, then pick up the taffy and form it into a ball. Begin the pulling process, stretching and folding repeatedly.
  8. Pull to desired texture: Continue pulling for 5-15 minutes. The taffy will transform from a glassy, dark look to a satin texture with a lighter color and change from soft and stringy to stiff and smooth.
  9. Shape the taffy: Once the desired consistency is reached, roll the taffy into a rope shape.
  10. Cut into pieces: Using scissors greased with butter, cut the taffy rope into bite-sized pieces.
  11. Wrap the pieces: Wrap each piece individually in small squares of wax paper to prevent sticking and preserve freshness.
  12. Yield: This recipe makes approximately 30-40 pieces of taffy, depending on how large you cut the pieces.

Notes

  • Use a candy thermometer to accurately monitor temperature; reaching 250-253°F is critical for proper texture.
  • If you don’t have concentrated flavoring oil, you can use 1 teaspoon of extract like vanilla, peppermint, or fruit flavors.
  • Butter your hands or gloves well when pulling the taffy to prevent sticking and make the pulling easier.
  • Patience is key during the pulling process; it can take from 5 to 15 minutes to reach the ideal consistency.
  • Wrap pieces individually in wax paper to avoid them sticking together and to keep them fresh.
  • The size of cut pieces will affect the total yield between 30 to 40 pieces.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/homemade-saltwater-taffy-recipe/