Homemade Saltwater Taffy: A Taste Of Summer Adventure Recipe
This homemade saltwater taffy recipe brings a nostalgic taste of summer right to your kitchen. With simple ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, and butter, you’ll create chewy, sweet taffy flavored to your liking with vanilla or other extracts. Follow the classic candy-making process including boiling to the soft-ball stage and hand-pulling to achieve the perfect chewy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 40 small pieces 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or other flavorings
- ½ teaspoon food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking when you pour the hot taffy mixture.
- Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add granulated sugar, light corn syrup, water, and salt. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Boil mixture: Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and allow the mixture to boil without stirring until it reaches the soft-ball stage, about 240°F (115°C).
- Add butter and flavoring: Remove the saucepan from the heat carefully. Stir in the unsalted butter and your choice of flavor extract. Add food coloring if desired and stir to combine evenly.
- Pour and cool: Pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and let it cool for a few minutes until it’s warm but safe to handle.
- Pull the taffy: Butter your hands to prevent sticking. Stretch and fold the taffy repeatedly for 10-15 minutes until it becomes lighter in color and has a firm, chewy texture.
- Shape and cut: Shape the pulled taffy into a log and cut it into small bite-sized pieces using scissors or a sharp knife.
- Wrap pieces: Individually wrap each piece in wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
- Cool completely: Let the taffy cool entirely before serving to allow it to set properly.
Notes
- Try experimenting with different extract flavors like peppermint, strawberry, or lemon to customize your taffy.
- Store taffy pieces in an airtight container to keep them chewy and fresh longer.
- This recipe scales easily—you can double or halve ingredients depending on how much taffy you want to make.
Keywords: saltwater taffy, homemade candy, chewy taffy, summer candy, vanilla taffy recipe
