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Nona’s Salted Taffy: A Nostalgic Chewy Candy From Scratch

Close-up of pale yellow, cubed pieces of homemade salted taffy recipe candy piled on a white plate.
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Make traditional homemade salt water taffy using simple ingredients. This recipe honors the ritual of making old fashioned sweets by hand, perfect for family kitchen activities.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Have a candy thermometer ready.
  2. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Insert the candy thermometer and stop stirring. Cook the mixture until it reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit (firm-ball stage).
  4. Remove the pan from the heat. Carefully stir in the butter, salt, and vanilla extract.
  5. Pour the hot mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Let it cool until you can comfortably touch it without burning your hands, about 10 to 15 minutes.
  6. Butter your hands lightly. Lift the candy mass from the sheet and begin to pull and fold it. This is the tactile experience of making chewy candy from scratch.
  7. Continue pulling the taffy until it becomes opaque and stiff. This may take 5 to 10 minutes of pulling.
  8. Once stiff, quickly roll the taffy into a long rope and cut it into small, bite-sized pieces using oiled scissors or a knife.
  9. Allow the pieces to set completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Notes

  • For a different flavor, substitute the vanilla extract with 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint or lemon extract added with the butter.
  • If the taffy becomes too hard to pull, briefly place it back on a warm (not hot) surface to soften slightly.
  • This recipe is a great way to celebrate National Taffy Day 2026 with a slow curation of simple ingredients.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://onedishuniverse.com/salted-taffy-recipe/