Taffy Time

We were a little disappointed this morning, because we were supposed to meet up with friends and the plan fell through. So we quickly came up with Plan B.... Taffy Pulling!

If you want something fun to do in the kitchen with your kids, this is it. If you want something healthy, then read the blog entry about Fruit Roll ups on April 23rd. Be prepared, this is not healthy at all, so turn away now if you must!

We had lots of laughs making the taffy, however, I'm not sure I would actually give any of you what we made. It ended up on the floor more times than I can count, but it sure was fun. It took Luke a few minutes to get over the "slimy hands" but after I said, "lick it" he was fine. BOYS.... Then he asked, "how far can we stretch it?!" Turns out, Taffy can stretch F.A.R.! I know I'll be finding taffy in weird spots for days to come. Oh well, totally worth it! Here's the recipe.

We called it "Laughy" Taffy:
2 1/2C white sugar
3T cornstarch
1C light corn syrup
1 1/3C water
2T butter (plus lots extra to butter hands)
1t salt
1 small envelope of unsweetened, fruit-flavored drink mix (like Kool-Aid)
1/2t vanilla extract

Butter large cookie sheet well, including the sides.

In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar and cornstarch. Add corn syrup, water, butter and salt. Stir well until butter is melted. Bring to a boil and stop stirring. Cook mixture until candy thermometer reads 250 degrees F (120 C). This takes a long time.

Once it approaches 250 degrees, watch very close because it cooks quickly at the end. Immediately remove from the heat. Carefully stir in vanilla and drink mix. Stir well, or you will get dark spots in the taffy. Pour mixture into the buttered cookie sheet. Allow to cool enough to handle, about 20 minutes.

Once taffy has cooled enough to handle, butter hands and begin pulling.

And pulling

And pulling


And pulling
After the taffy has been stretched long enough, it will become more opaque and lighten in color. Pull into long ropes and cut with buttered scissors.



Wrap in wax paper and twist the ends.


Enjoy! I know we did! What a great way to spend a day that started out so disappointing.

I am thankful to have the time to spend with my children cooking in the kitchen.