Today, we had the special treat of my cute mom visiting, and pulling taffy with us. I remember doing this as a kid. I loved it. When I think of homemade taffy, I think of vinegar taffy. It has a very unique old fashioned flavor, unlike anything you find in stores today.
I learned how to make taffy from my mom. My mom learned from her mom, my grandma Pam, whom I miss dearly. My grandma learned from her mom, Pearle. I miss my great grandma as well.
I love using a recipe that has been passed down through the generations. I love that my mom taught my kids how to make and pull taffy today.
This is the recipe, in my mom's own handwriting. She wrote this out in her 20's.
Vinegar Taffy
2 cups sugar
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 dash of salt
We doubled this recipe. Combine all ingredients in pan, and cook over med to med high heat. No need for much stirring. You don't want sugar crystals to form.
You will want to test it after it has cooked a while, and make sure it is at the hard ball stage. My cute mom had each of my kids try the taffy in every stage. My boy wasn't sure about the vinegar flavor at first. And, I have to add... my husband shaved his hair into a mohawk on Sunday. He gets to look like this for one week. He LOVES it. I am not sold.
Always a kiss from the baby.
This is what the taffy will look like in the hard ball stage.
After the taffy reaches the hard ball stage, you pour it into a greased pan to cool for about 20 minutes.
Once you are able to handle it, you flip the corners in, and make it into a lump.
Start cutting out chunks, and pass them out to all the helpers!
It shouldn't burn your hands, but should still be hot.
Now it's time for a taffy pulling lesson. It's easy:
PULL AND TWIST!
That's it.
The goal is to get as much air into the taffy as possible.
The taffy will lighten up as you pull.
It takes some serious muscle. Be sure and butter your hands!
You can even do it as a team if you like.
Lay it on a greased counter.
The taffy should be dull when it's time to lay it on the counter for scoring.
Lay on the counter and score with a knife. Notice how light the color has turned. It is now the right texture.
After you have scored it, let it sit for a few minutes, and hit the back of the taffy with the back of a knife. It will break apart.
Be sure and and wrap each piece in 6"x6" wax paper, and share this little charming treat with your friends and neighbors... if you have any left.
Have a Happy and Creative Day.
Thanks for stopping by!
Risa
