Homemade Saltwater Taffy
This Homemade Saltwater Taffy recipe brings the charm of seaside candy shops to your own kitchen. Made with simple ingredients and customizable flavors and colors, this chewy, nostalgic treat is perfect for gifting, parties, or just a fun hands-on cooking adventure.
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- ¾ cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A few drops of food coloring
Instructions
- Grease a marble slab or baking sheet and prepare wax paper squares for wrapping.
- In a large saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch.
- Add corn syrup, water, butter, and salt. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- Attach a candy thermometer and cook without stirring until the mixture reaches 250°F (hard-ball stage).
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and food coloring.
- Pour hot candy onto the greased slab or sheet.
- Cool slightly, then butter hands and pull the taffy until light and firm (about 10–15 minutes).
- Stretch into a rope and cut into bite-sized pieces with buttered scissors.
- Wrap each piece in wax paper, twisting the ends.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter to control salt levels.
- Butter hands and scissors to avoid sticking.
- Customize with different extracts and food colorings.
- Store wrapped taffy in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
- For a rainbow batch, divide the cooked taffy and add different colors/flavors before pulling.