How to Make Banana Salt Water Taffy

It is rumored that saltwater taffy was first invented by taffy stand owner David Bradley in Atlantic City in 1883. The myth suggests that Bradley's entire stand flooded, and his taffy stock was soaked completely in salty ocean water. When a girl approached the stand and wanted to buy some taffy, Bradley introduced the taffy as "saltwater taffy," and the unique name and sweet-and-salty flavor were first coined. Although saltwater taffy is a wonderful candy to enjoy at the beach, you can also enjoy it in your own home by using the following saltwater taffy recipe.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsp. cornstarch 2 cups sugar 1 cup corn syrup 2 tsp. glycerin 1 tsp. salt 3/4 cup water 2 tbsp. butter Several drops banana artificial flavoring Several drops yellow food coloring Vegetable or canola oil for greasing Candy thermometer Pastry brush Medium saucepan Rubber spatula Cooking scissors Cookie sheet Waxed paper

Instructions

1. Mix 2 tbsp. cornstarch and 2 cups of sugar in a medium saucepan with a rubber spatula.

2. Slowly add the glycerin, corn syrup, salt, water and butter to the saucepan. Heat the mixture until it begins to boil. Then place the candy thermometer inside the saucepan and cook until the ingredients reach 270 degrees. As the syrup is cooking, use the side of your spatula and a pastry brush soaked in warm water to clear the sugar from the sides so it does not crystallize on the side of the pot.

3. Remove the saucepan from the heat when it reaches 270 degrees. Add a few drops of yellow food coloring and a few drops of banana artificial flavoring to the mixture to taste. Stir until the color is fully mixed.

4. Pour the mixture, which should have just slightly cooled, onto a baking sheet covered with waxed paper. Let the taffy rest until it is cold enough to handle with your hands.

5. Pull the taffy gently with oil-greased hands. Pulling the taffy should take about 10 to 15 minutes and will be ready when it has a glossy sheen to it and gets slightly lighter in color. You will notice the taffy becoming more like the color and sheen of saltwater taffy that you have seen in stores or at the beach.

6. Roll and stretch the taffy into a long rope shape, which should be about 1/2 inch in diameter. With cooking scissors greased with oil, cut the taffy rope into 1-inch pieces.

7. Let the taffy pieces sit for an hour. Once they are completely cool to the touch, wrap each piece in waxed paper by twisting the paper around either side of the taffy.

Tips & Warnings

• If you'd like to make a different flavor of saltwater taffy, use a different artificial flavoring and food coloring.

• Keep hot taffy out of the reach of children.

Resources

• Exploratorium: Science of Candy--Saltwater Taffy
• Candy Warehouse: Buy yellow banana saltwater taffy