Candy Corn Ingredients

Candy corn has become an indispensable part of Halloween, along with the carved pumpkins. Almost every one is familiar with this tri-colored candy, that resembles ripe corn kernels in shape. While the traditional candy corn sports yellow, orange and white colors (yellow at the bottom, orange at the center and white at the top), there are many other variations in colors and flavors. Indian candy corn comes in brown, orange and white colors and is mainly used during thanksgiving. The colors used in reindeer corn (for Christmas) are green, white and red. Valentine's day eve is marked with cupid candy corn, which has pink, white and red colors. During Easter, pastel-colored bunny candy corn is used. However, the traditional candy corn is the most popular form and is manufactured in huge amounts around Halloween. The popularity of this confection is evident from the fact that October 30 is observed as National Candy Corn Day.

Invention of Candy Corn

Even though, candy corn is available in different colors, during different seasons, the traditional ones are available throughout the year. Candy corn recipe was invented by George Renninger of the Wunderlee Candy Company. The basic recipe of this popular confection has not changed, since its creation during the 1880s. As in the case of recipe, the method of manufacturing candy corn is termed as "cornstarch molding," also remains the same. The only difference is that the tasks, which were initially done manually, are now taken over by machines. During the initial years of candy corn production, thousands of workers were needed for making this confection and the manufacturing process lasted for eight or nine months (usually from March to November). This was because of the tedious tasks involved in the making of candy corn, which is discussed in the following paragraph.

The basic candy corn ingredients are sugar, corn syrup and a small amount of salt. All the ingredients are heated in kettles, till a slurry is formed. Earlier marshmallow and fondant were added to it for a smooth texture and softness. The final mixture was poured into big buckets called runners. These buckets were carried by workers, who poured the mixture into trays imprinted with kernel shapes and padded with corn syrup. They had to walk from one end of the tray to the other end, pouring the mixture. This process had to be repeated three times and each time they poured the mixture in three different colors - white, yellow and orange. Then the candy corn were detached and packed. Now the candy corn making process is mostly done by machines.

What are the Ingredients of Candy Corn

As mentioned above, the basic candy corn ingredients are sugar, corn syrup and salt. However, different manufacturers make some slight changes in the recipe by adding different products to alter the flavor and texture of the candy corn. Nowadays, carnauba wax is also added as a candy corn ingredient. This is a plant-derived wax that acts as a formulation aid. Some manufacturers use sugar, corn syrup, beeswax, artificial colors, salt, flavors and soy protein as the ingredients. Some others use sugar, corn syrup, egg whites, mineral oil, carnauba wax, honey-glycerin, artificial colors and flavors and confectioner's glaze. Ingredients of homemade candy corn may also vary as per individual choice. The following ingredients can be used to prepare 80 pieces of candy corn.

Ingredients

• Confectioner's sugar - 2½ cups
• Regular sugar - 1 cup
• Corn syrup - ⅔ cup
• Salt - ¼ teaspoon
• Vanilla extract - one teaspoon
• Unsalted butter - ⅓ cup
• Food coloring

Method

In order to prepare candy corn, you have to mix powdered milk, confectioner's sugar and salt in a bowl and keep it aside. Take a saucepan and combine regular sugar, corn syrup and butter and boil this mixture over high heat. You have to continuously stir this mixture, till it boils. Once it boils, reduce the heat and cook it for another five minutes. After that, turn off the heat and mix the vanilla extract to this mixture. Now, add the mixture of powdered milk and confectioner's sugar, mix well and let it cool. Once the dough is cool, divide it into three parts, to which three different colors have to be added. Knead the dough separately, so that the color gets evenly distributed. The next step is to roll this dough into three differently colored ropes of around ½-inch thickness. Place these dough ropes next to each other and gently press them together with a rolling pin. Now, cut it in triangles and let the candy corn set for at least one hour.

The above said is a brief overview about candy corn ingredients and the process of preparing candy corn. There are several variations of candy corn recipes, but, the basic ingredients remains the same - sugar, corn syrup and salt.