Sponge Candy Recipe

Candies are something that are loved by young and old alike. Among the different types of candies in the market, the one that has become quite popular due to its unique taste is the sponge candies. Though these sponge candies are available under the name of various candy manufacturing companies, it is actually not very difficult to make them at home. Sponge candies, also known as sponge toffees are quite popular worldwide. However, each country has a different name for these sponge candies. While they are called honeycomb toffees in Britain, hokey pokey is the name for these candies in New Zealand. Some of the other names of sponge candies are cinder toffee, puffy candy, yellow man, angel food candy, etc.

The main ingredients that are used to make sponge candies are corn syrup, brown sugar and baking soda. Some recipes also make use of vinegar, though it is optional. The texture of the sponge candy is hard at the outside, but foamy in the inside which gives the candy a flavor that is similar to molasses. People who have had this candy will surely say that though it is little rigid to bite initially, the candy melts in the mouth after some time. So, if you are interested in knowing how to make it, here is an easy recipe that you can try at home.

How to Make Sponge Candy

The most important thing that you require to make a sponge candy is an accurate candy thermometer. This is because without the thermometer, you will not know the temperature of the candy mixture which can lead to overcooked candies. So, make sure that you have a candy thermometer which shows the correct temperature. Now, let us move on to the recipe for sponge candy. Read more on candy corn recipe.

Sponge Candy - Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2/3 cup light corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 6 tablespoons water
• Vegetable oil - greasing

Sponge Candy - Directions

Step #01
The first step would be to get the baking pan ready to take the sponge candy mixture. For this, you have to opt for a 10 inch round baking pan. Grease the pan generously with vegetable oil, not only at the bottom, but also at the sides. When this is done, place parchment paper on the bottom as well as on the sides of the pan. Make sure that the parchment paper extends 2 - 3 inches above the pan. After this, coat the parchment paper with vegetable oil too.

Step #02
The next step in the process of making sponge candy is to boil the ingredients together. Take a medium-sized, deep bottomed saucepan and combine the ingredients like water, sugar, vanilla and corn syrup. Place the saucepan on the stove and cook it on a medium to high heat. Without stirring the mixture, allow it to boil for ten minutes. While the mixture starts boiling rapidly, take its temperature with the help of the candy thermometer. When the thermometer reads the temperature to be 300 degrees F, take the pan from the stove.

Step #03
After you take the pan from the stove, immediately add baking soda to it. When this is done, the mixture will bubble up. Do not touch the pan or the mixture when this is done. Stir the mixture for 5 - 10 seconds after the baking soda is added. Then, pour the candy mixture into the prepared baking pan. Make sure that you wear big oven gloves while doing this. After you do this, allow the mixture to cool and set at room temperature. When the mixture has completely set, remove the parchment paper and cut the sponge candies into small pieces. Know more about how to make rock candy.

Additional Tips to Make Sponge Candy

Once you have made the sponge candies, you can either store them in air tight containers for later use or have it then and there. Though plain sponge candies taste really good, dipping it in chocolate gives the candy a delicious flavor. To make chocolate dip for sponge candy, you have to melt chocolate chips in the microwave or stove. When the chocolate is fully melted, dip the sponge candies into it and coat it thoroughly. Place the chocolate coated sponge candles on a parchment paper and allow it to set. Another way of having sponge candies is by spreading it on ice cream.

If you have kids at home, storing up these sponge candies would be a really good idea. Apart from this, you can also serve these sponge candies to guests for your house parties or give them as favors for birthday parties, weddings, baby showers, etc.