Salt Water Taffy

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Vanilla: Extract Medium

Sugar, corn syrup and butter are cooked to the firm-ball stage, then pulled until pale and chewy and cut into bite-size pieces. This version is vanilla; add other flavors after the cook. Makes 50 pieces in about 1 hr 15 min.

Prep 30 min

Cook 30 min

Cooling 15 min

Total 1 hr 15 min

Yield 50 pieces

Diet Gluten free

Ingredients

Adjust yield

pieces

2 cups (400 g)granulated sugar
1 cup (240 ml)light corn syrup
1 cup (240 ml)water
1 tbsp (8 g)cornstarch
½ tsp (3 g)fine salt
2 tbsp (30 g)unsalted butter
2 tsp (10 ml)vanilla extract

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Instructions

Butter a baking sheet generously and butter your hands and kitchen scissors. Cut about 50 squares of wax paper, 10 cm (4 inches) each.
Mix the sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan, then stir in the corn syrup, water and salt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring. Brush the pot sides with a wet brush if crystals form.
Boil until the thermometer reads 255 F (124 C), the firm-ball stage, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove from heat, stir in the butter and vanilla, and pour onto the buttered sheet. Let cool 8 to 12 minutes until cool enough to handle but still pliable.
Fold the edges inward and pull the taffy into a long rope, folding it back on itself, for 10 to 15 minutes until pale, satiny and hard to stretch.
Twist into a rope about 2 cm (3/4 inch) wide and snip into 50 pieces with the buttered scissors.
Wrap each piece in wax paper right away, twisting the ends.

Tips

Pull in short sessions and rest your hands if the taffy is too hot.
Use a thermometer; a few degrees changes chewy to hard.
On humid days cook to 257 F (125 C).
Sugar syrup reaches 255 F (124 C) and causes severe burns; let the taffy cool until it is only warm before pulling.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make salt water taffy?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking, plus 15 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 50 pieces.

How should I store salt water taffy?

Keep wrapped in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Can I make salt water taffy ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 2 tsp vanilla extract (10 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 50 servings this recipe makes.

55 Calories / serving

0.5g Fat

13.3g Carbs

0.0g Protein

10.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (50 servings): ~2750 cal · 25g fat · 665g carbs · 0g protein · 500g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.