Pull Taffy

Making pull taffy takes patience, but it’s definitely worth the efffort. It makes a good activity for the Christmas holidays – invite some friends over to help. The taffy is very hot, so this activity is best for children 10 and over with adult help.

You will need:

2 cups sugar

1 cup corn syrup

½ cup butter

1 tbsp vinegar

1 tbsp molasses

½ tsp vanilla

Method:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan.
   
   
2. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
   
   
3. Boil until the candy reaches the hard crack stage.*
   
   
4. Pour out onnto a greased cookie sheet and wait until it is just cool ennough to handle without burning.
   
   
5. Rub some butter on your hands, and pull off a piece of tafffy. Pull it between your hands until it is shiny and light in colour. Twist it into a rope.
   
   
6. Break the taffy ropes into small pieces, or cut them with scissors
   
   

There are a few ways to tell if your candy is at the hard crack stage. One is to use a candy thermometer. The temperature should register above 146 degrees Celsius (295 degreee Fahrenheit). If you don’t have a candy thermometer, use a bowl full of cold water or snow. Drizzle a thin ribbon of candy into the bowl. If it forms a very thin, brittle strand that cracks rather than bends, it’s ready.