How to Make Salt Water Taffy

How the salt water taffy came into existence is an interesting, although very disputed story. Taffy, a sweet, chewy candy was commonly sold all over Atlantic City, New Jersey, until the late 19th century in many candy stores. The storm of 1883, flooded Mr. David Bradley's candy shop soaking his entire stock of taffy with the salty Atlantic Ocean water. Soon after, he sold his first salt water taffy to a young girl, who wanted some chewy taffy. It is believed that the young girl liked it so much, that she popularized it by informing everyone of the wonder taffy, Mr. Bradley sold in his store. Whatever its origin, salt water taffy became the most popular candy, almost like a souvenir of the Atlantic City. I'm sure, those with a sweet tooth would be wishing you knew how to make salt water taffy at home. Well, go ahead, and try some of the recipes listed below!

Salt Water Taffy

Ingredients

• White sugar, 2 cups
• Cornstarch, 2 tbsps
• Corn syrup, 1 cup
• Water, ¾ cup
• Butter, 2 tbsps
• Glycerin, 2 tsps
• Salt, 1 tsp
• Vanilla or maple flavoring, ½ tsp

Directions

In a saucepan, first mix together sugar and cornstarch and then stir in the corn syrup, water, butter, salt and glycerin. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spatula, until the sugar dissolves completely. Once the mixture starts to boil, let it cook undisturbed, until it reaches about 270°F. Check the temperature with a kitchen thermometer. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add vanilla or maple flavoring to it.

Stirring gently, pour the thick syrup into a shallow greased cookie sheet, and let cool. When the taffy has cooled down, pull and tug the taffy with greased hands, until it's light in color and has a satiny gloss. Roll the pulled taffy into a long rope, about half-inch in diameter, and cut it with a butter knife into three-quarter inches elongated pieces. Set it aside, undistributed, for at least half a hour. Cover in wax paper or thin transparent, plastic wraps, twisting the ends.

Chocolate Salt Water Taffy

Ingredients

• Unsweetened chocolate, 2½ ounces
• Sugar, 1/3 cup
• Corn syrup, 1/8 cup
• Butter, 1 tbsp
• Vanilla, ¼ tsp
• Water, ¼ cup
• Salt, ¼ tsp

Directions

Mix together sugar, corn syrup, water and unsweetened chocolate in a saucepan, and cook over medium heat, until it reaches boiling point of 260°F. Use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature. Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter, stir and pour onto a greased flat platter. When it has cooled down, grease hands lightly and pull the candy, until light in color and glossy. Stretch and shape into a long rope, half-inch in diameter and cut with a sharp kitchen knife into 1inch pieces. Cover the taffy in colorful wrappers or transparent plastic.

Orange Salt Water Taffy

Ingredients

• Vanilla extract, 2 tsps
• Orange flavor, 1 tbsp
• Sugar, 2 cups
• Cornstarch, 2 tbsps
• Butter, 4 tbsps
• Corn syrup, ½ cup
• Water, 1½ cups

Directions

In a saucepan, stir together the sugar and cornstarch, add water, butter, salt and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring continuously to melt butter and dissolve sugar. Boil until temperature reaches 275°F. Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla extract and orange flavor. Pour onto a greased baking sheet. When cool, pull the candy until light in color and glossy. Stretch into a long rope, half-inch in diameter, and cut with a scissor into 1-inch pieces. Roll the taffy in transparent, plastic wraps or waxed paper.

Despite the name 'salt water taffy', these taffies are anything but salty. They are sweet and chewy, with a wide range in its flavor. They are easy to carry, and can be eaten everywhere. Now that you know how to make saltwater taffy, roll them up and satisfy all the sweet taste buds!