s is for salt water taffy

Okay, Natalie, this one is for you. You asked for a "tried and true" recipe and I had never made it before, so I thought I ought to try. I collected a recipe and gave it a whirl. Here is the recipe:

Salt Water Taffy Recipe

Makes about one pound.

• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup light Corn Syrup
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons margarine or butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Use a square pan: 8X8X2.

Mix sugar, corn syrup, water, cornstarch, butter and salt in a 2 quart saucepan. Heat to boiling and stir continuously.

Then, cook, without stirring, to 256 degrees using a candy thermometer (hard ball). Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour into pan.

When the taffy is cool enough to handle, pull it until it is satiny, light in color and stiff. Pull the taffy into long strips about 1/2inch wide. Cut the strip into pieces with a scissor.

Finally wrap the pieces individually in plastic or waxed paper to hold its shape.

I have now made this three times and every time it tasted good. It's a very basic recipe and I'm sure you could try adding flavorings and colorings as you want. It will probably taste great. If you can get it to be the proper consistency, that is. I have not made candy on my own before and my first three attempts were not pretty. They were, as I said, tasty enough, but not pretty. The first time I didn't bother to test the candy thermometer and when it said "hard ball" the candy was actually at hard crack. So I tried again, using the cold water test to be safer, but it was still a bit too hard. And, after I wrapped it all it stuck to the wax paper. Then, today, I thought I'd try one last time. I was inspired by Julia Child (it's a long story) and I went for it. I guess I heated it to soft ball this time, because it was just too sticky to work with. So, good luck with your efforts and let me know what tricks and tips you have. I may never make it again or I may be brave and figure it out. I hope it goes better for you than for me!