Best Easy Saltwater Taffy Recipe

Grease a large baking sheet with butter and set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, light corn syrup, water, unsalted butter, and salt.

Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring gently, until the sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan.

Continue to cook without stirring until the temperature reaches 250°F (hard ball stage). Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.

Carefully stir in vanilla extract plus your chosen flavor extracts and food coloring, then pour hot syrup onto the prepared baking sheet. Allow to cool just until mixture is cool enough to handle, about 10–15 minutes.

Butter your hands, then pull and stretch the taffy, folding it over itself repeatedly for about 10 minutes or until it turns lighter and opaque.

When the taffy is stiff and glossy, pull into long ropes and cut into small pieces using buttered scissors. Wrap each piece in wax paper to keep soft.