How to Make Taffy Without Fire
When taffy pulls were part of everyday life, children and teenagers would cook molasses over a fire. They would then make their own taffy out of the cooked molasses by pulling it until it cooled. In today's world, making taffy is a simpler process. While you must still pull the taffy, you no longer need to build a fire and find a fire-safe pot to have a taffy party. In fact, even the fire of a gas stove is unnecessary---you can make taffy in a microwave. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tsp. salt
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Spoon
- Candy thermometer
- 1 tsp. flavoring (vanilla, peppermint, cinnamon or citrus extract)
- 2 tbsp. butter, plus extra
- Baking sheet
Instructions
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1
Combine the sugar, corn syrup, hot water and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir well to mix, then place into the microwave. Microwave on high for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture begins to boil. Stir the ingredients thoroughly again, then return the bowl to the microwave.
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2
Microwave the mixture on high for another 10 minutes, then take its temperature with a candy thermometer. If the mixture has not yet reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit, return it to the microwave for one more minute. Continue heating the mixture for one minute at a time, checking its temperature after each time, until the mixture reaches 160 degrees. This will heat the candy to the point that will give it will the proper stiff yet not rock-hard consistency that finished taffy should have when it cools. At this point, the mixture should still be a hot, syrupy liquid. Grease a baking sheet with some butter while you are microwaving the taffy.
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3
Stir the flavoring (such as vanilla, peppermint, cinnamon or citrus extract) and the butter into the mixture as soon as the taffy stops bubbling. When you have completely incorporated these ingredients into the sugar mixture, pour it onto the greased baking sheet and allow it to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, or until you can handle it comfortably.
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4
Divide the cooled (but still warm) mixture into three to six pieces. Grease your hands lightly with butter, then pick up one of the pieces of taffy. Stretch the taffy into a rope, then fold it back together. Stretch it out again, then fold it back together again. Repeat this process until the taffy becomes dull and stiff rather than shiny and easy to stretch. This will probably take 10 to 15 minutes.
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5
Twist or fold the stiff taffy into a visually appealing finished shape. Your final product should be thin enough that you can easily cut it into pieces if you wish to do so.
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Tips & Warnings
Grease a pair of clean kitchen scissors if you wish to cut your taffy. Cut it into bite-sized pieces, then wrap each piece individually with waxed paper to keep the candy fresh.
If possible, have other people help you stretch the taffy. If you cut it into six pieces and try to stretch each piece in turn yourself, the last piece will have cooled and stiffened long before you get to it.
