http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10019.html
Pull Taffy
I’d like to provide my children with healthier candy if that is possible. I’m laughing as I write, because how could candy be healthy? But I was thinking that maybe candy without synthetic food dyes would be a good start.
Yes, I laughed, too, when I read your question, but you are right. Candy can be made at home that is healthier than candy bought from a store. You can make candy free of dyes, artificial flavors, and even refined sugar. Making candy is also a really fun project to do with children. Here are directions and a recipe for an old-time candy pull to make Molasses Taffy, and hey, molasses is actually nutritious!
- 1 cup molasses
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1 cup sugar (substitute Sucanat, available in health food stores, for a whole food sugar)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Candy thermometer
Butter enough cookie sheets for each child to have one. Combine the molasses, vinegar, sugar and salt in a pan and place over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Cover the pan and cook without stirring until the syrup has reached the firm-ball stage (240 F). (You’ll need to uncover the syrup to take the temperature.) Add the butter bit by bit at this state, and continue boiling the syrup on a low heat until it reaches 270F.
Very, very carefully pour the taffy equally between the cookie sheets. The syrup is dangerously hot, so make sure you don’t spill any, and keep all children away while you pour. Oil yours and the children’s hands. Let the taffy cool for five minutes or so, and then use spatulas or candy scrapers to start turning it until it is cool enough to handle. Pick up the glob of candy, and starting pulling it out in a strand—a foot or more—and then folding it back on itself. Keep working it this way until the color becomes opaque, firm and elastic (this can take up to 15-20 minutes).
Makes about one pound.
related stories
-
(41 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
5 comments
add your comment »personally, I've started replacing butter and oils and toxic Crisco with Coconut oil. It is full of Lauric acid, amazing for you, and at room temp matches Crisco's consistency. Breaks down to liquid oil @76 degrees. It's sweet and rich. Excellent in brownies, pies, on naturally popped corn! Good luck!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
We used to make taffy as kids around X-mas time, not molasses, but instead of pulling it, we flavored and colored it in 2 batches, cinnamon & red, and green & wintergreen. Since they weren't pulled, they got hard, like candy canes should be, and we twisted them together and then shaped them into canes. I'm sure my Earth Balance vegan butter would work for this--to the person who asked about that--as I bet butter flavored Crisco would too. But I'm not positive as I haven't tried it.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I remember taffy fondly from childhood. However, nowadays I have a really nasty allergy to any cows-milk products (not a lactose intolerance) so I have been learning to work with non-dairy substitutes. Can this be made successfully using butter flavored Crisco? Most of the margarine products I can use are not recommended for cooking.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
thankyou.your info is fruitfull and it's work with alot of fun for my sons
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I've made molasses taffy before, it's alot of work but a ton of fun. If you have the time and it's great for kids to get involved, do it. You have to like molasses to enjoy this candy, I love it!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: