Homemade Cherry Red Taffy

One of my favorite things to buy on the boardwalk at the beach has always been soft, fresh salt water taffy. A candy store called Pony Tails on Chincoteague Island, Virginia has an old taffy making machine that you used to be able to watch them make and roll their taffy on. It was so very fresh and came in wonderful flavors! I would pop one in my mouth and it would burst with flavorful soft chewy goodness!

Here I will show you steps of how you can make your own old fashioned chewy taffy! It is bright red in color with bold cherry flavor. You probably have most of the 6 ingredients (plus water and salt) already in your kitchen. I decided to use cherry flavored powdered soft drink mix since it was my favorite flavor to drink when I was a kid. My children loved it too....and you can make red cherry taffy with it! Follow along to see how easy it is to make!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, plus more for buttering the cookie sheets, mixing bowl, and for greasing hands

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup light corn syrup

1 1/3 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (0.14-ounce) packet unsweetened cherry soft drink mix

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Supplies

2 large cookie sheets

2-quart heavy-bottom saucepan

measuring spoons

measuring cups

large spoon

candy thermometer

electric mixer with mixing bowl and dough hook

wax paper

ruler

pen

Butter one large cookie sheet and set aside.

In a 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch until smooth.

Stir in corn syrup, water, 2 tablespoons butter and salt.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add a candy thermometer. Stir occasionally until the mixture reaches exactly 250 degrees F.

Immediately remove from heat. Quickly stir in the cherry soft drink mix and vanilla extract. Mix well.

Pour the hot taffy mixture onto the buttered cookie sheet. Let cool for 10 minutes until it’s safe to handle.

I decided to mix the taffy in my mixer rather than pulling it. I got that idea from kneading bread with my mixer rather than by hand.

Butter the mixing bowl and dough hook. Add the taffy to the mixing bowl.

Mix on low to medium speed, allowing the taffy mix for 10 to 15 minutes. Pause the mixer a few times to scrape down the sides.

Look for color changes. You know the taffy is ready when it changes from translucent to a lighter, opaque red and firms up in texture.

Meanwhile, while the taffy mixes, cut sheets of wax paper into 2 1/2-inch by 4-inch pieces. I made 55 pieces.

Pour taffy onto a buttered cookie sheet. Cool slightly. Butter your knife. Cut a taffy strip.

Butter your hands so the taffy doesn't stick to them as you handle it. Cut the taffy into bite-sized pieces. Put one piece onto a piece of wax paper. Roll the taffy in the wax paper, covering the taffy. Twist each end. Repeat until all of your taffy is rolled in wax paper.

Here is a piece I unwrapped and tasted when I was finished. I was so impressed with the cherry flavor and the texture of the taffy!! So much better than what you can buy!

This recipe made the best taffy I have had in years, especially if you like cherry flavored candy! I am anxious to try making it with other flavors of powdered soft drink mix! They should all be awesome!