Taffy is a special type of chewy candy made with very few ingredients. The art of making taffy goes back two hundred years, and spans different recipes and consistencies. While there are many flavors of taffy, such as peppermint, chocolate, vanilla, and even cinnamon, the most popular form of taffy is saltwater taffy, which has been made and sold in Atlantic City since 1883.
If you want to make your own taffy, start by gathering all ingredients: sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, unsalted butter, and water. Salt is optional, but highly recommended. If you prefer to add flavorings, consider additives such as vanilla or mint. To make your own taffy, you also need basic cooking utensils such as a large saucepan, wooden spoon, and candy thermometer.
To make your own taffy, you will need to get used to the idea of a messy kitchen. Taffy is, by definition, sticky, and spills are commonplace because of the nature of the mix. Once you have mixed all ingredients, heat until the mixture boils. When that happens, remove the saucepan from the stove and let cool for a few minutes.
The next step is one of the most important ones to make your own taffy. Start by greasing your hands with butter and get ready to pull. What makes taffy so special is the airy consistency that forms when you pull and roll. This should take from ten to fifteen minutes, depending on the size of the mix. When you make your own taffy in large quantities, it may be wise to enlist help, as the pulling can become exhausting after a few minutes. Additives such as coloring and flavoring should be added sometime during the pulling stage. To make your own taffy more attractive, you can choose to mix colors or play around with formats and sizes.
Once the taffy becomes too hard for pulling, it’s time to roll it and cut it into bite-size pieces. Taffy can then be wrapped in wax paper and stored for several months.