Kool-Aid Taffy – Chewy, Colorful Candy Made Easy
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups granulated sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup light corn syrup
1 ⅓ cups water
2 tbsp butter (or coconut oil for a dairy-free option)
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 envelopes unsweetened Kool-Aid drink mix (any flavor)
Instructions:
Prepare Your Pan
Line a 17x11x1-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Lightly spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Whisk together until thoroughly blended and no lumps remain.
Add Wet Ingredients
Stir in the corn syrup, water, and butter. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat.
Heat the Mixture
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling begins, stop stirring. Continue heating until it reaches 250°F (hard ball stage), using a candy thermometer for accuracy.
Flavor & Color
Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and Kool-Aid powder until fully dissolved. For multicolored taffy, divide the mixture into two bowls and add different Kool-Aid flavors to each.
Pour & Cool
Quickly pour the mixture into the prepared pan. If using multiple flavors, swirl them slightly for a marbled effect. Let cool undisturbed for about 20 minutes.
Shape the Taffy
Once cooled, lift the taffy from the pan and place on a lightly greased surface. Pull and stretch it until it becomes lighter in color and more pliable (optional). Alternatively, cut into squares with a pizza cutter and roll each piece in parchment paper.
Store Properly
Keep the taffy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.