Southern Living
When the parents are at work the kids will play... with taffy. Pulled taffy is a soft, chewy candy that is a staple at candy shops. The process of making pulled candy is so easy and enjoyable that it deserves to be made at home as a fun holiday activity for the kids. This pulled candy is made up of a few ingredients including cooked sugar, vinegar, and desired food coloring. The most important and arguably the most entertaining part comes with pulling the taffy.
Some important tips for properly pulling taffy: when the taffy is cool enough to handle, butter your hands and start pulling it until the color lightens and the candy becomes more elastic. As the taffy is being pulled repeatedly into long ropes, it develops a shiny coating. Then when it is ready to be cut, pull the taffy into a rope that’s about 1/2-inch and cut it with a knife. Create a candy shop in your home with this easy and sweet treat. Gather the kids and get them involved with this fun candy-making process to create lasting memories.
How to Make It
Step 1
Lightly butter a 15-by-10-inch jelly-roll pan.
Step 2
Combine sugar, corn syrup, vinegar, and 1/2 cup water in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until sugar dissolves. (Do not stir after sugar is dissolved.) Cover and cook over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes to wash down sugar crystals from sides of pan. Uncover and cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 270°F (soft crack stage), about 25 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 1/4 tsp. orange or peppermint extract and desired food coloring. Pour into prepared pan. Let cool 10 minutes.
Step 3
With buttered hands, pull candy until porous and light colored (about 30 minutes). Cut into small pieces, using buttered kitchen shears. Wrap in wax paper.
