Ingredients
Method
Preparation Steps
- In a small mixing bowl (like the size of a cereal bowl) mix together the powdered sugar, powdered milk, and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium stovetop pot, add sugar, corn syrup and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Boil for about 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula. Use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to 350 - 360 degrees F. Be sure not to overcook or brown this mixture. It should remain white and will begin to thicken.
- When the mixture has reached the needed temperature and consistency, remove immediately from heat.
- Add in the powdered sugar mixture and mix together with the rubber spatula for about 4-5 minutes until it’s fully incorporated. It will be thick and difficult at first.
- Once fully mixed, allow the mixture to sit in the pot for about 5 minutes or until it begins to thicken slightly. It is ready to transfer once you can mix it easily with a spoon but the peaks take slightly longer to descend.
- When ready, use your rubber spatula to pour out the mixture onto a Silpat mat. Allow it to rest here for another minute.
- Use a sharp knife to divide the mixture into 3 even portions. It may be sticky but it shouldn’t stick to the mat. Use your fingers to remove the cut portions away from the knife’s edge to separate them.
- Using food coloring drops, add 2 drops of yellow and 1 drop of red to one of the three portions (this makes orange). Use the back of a spoon to mix the color in. Continue to mix, folding the mixture on top of itself for about 3 minutes until the color is solid and fully mixed.
- Repeat this method for another section of the mixture, adding 2-3 drops of yellow food coloring. The third portion will remain white.
- Remaining on the Silpat mat, roll each color of the mixture into small round logs using your hands. Pinch off a small handful for each log. Each log should be 0.25 - 0.5 inch round.
- Place three logs side by side in the order of white > orange > yellow. Pinch together the logs so they stick to one another. Then take a rolling pin and roll gently on top of the full log. This will help combine the colors together further.
- Use your fingers to press downward on the white side creating a wedge shape of the logs. Your log may have a few curves on the edges.
- Repeat the process of combining logs and shaping wedges for all remaining mixture.
- Allow these logs to sit until they have fully reached room temperature.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the candy corn from the logs. You will want to cut 45 degree lines (in a zig-zag) pattern across each log.
- Gently separate the triangles from one another. They shouldn’t be sticky.
- Allow all candy corn pieces to sit on a baking sheet (you can transfer your Silpat mat to the baking sheet if easier) overnight to harden and dry out.
Notes
When mixing the food coloring, use the back of a spoon to fold the mixture until the color is solid and fully incorporated. If the log edges are curved, you can gently reshape them before cutting. For best results, allow the candy corn to harden and dry out overnight on a baking sheet to achieve the perfect texture.
