May 23 is National Taffy Day

Does anyone remember taffy pulls? No? Actually I don't remember having any either. But I do remember reading about them and thinking how fun they sounded. My most vivid memory is the Taffy Pulling story from a Raggedy Ann and Andy story book. Boy did that sound like fun!

Well, here's your chance to make a few fun taffy pulling memories of your own.. May 23 is National Taffy day. 
What is taffy? According to Wikipedia:
"Taffy is a type of chewy candy. Taffy is made by stretching or pulling a sticky mass of boiled sugar, butter or vegetable oil, flavorings, and coloring until fluffy. When this process is complete, the taffy is rolled, cut into small pastel-colored pieces and wrapped in wax paper to keep it soft."

An interesting video about taffy making and pulling.



Try this old-fashioned taffy recipe from the 1920's

• Two cups granulated sugar
• one-half cup water
• two tablespoonfuls vinegar
• one tablespoonful butter
• one teaspoonful vanilla
• one-half teaspoonful cream of tartar
• Cup of cold water for testing the candy
• Well buttered cookie sheet or platter
• Wax paper
• Scissors

Directions:

1. In a medium sized saucepan with a heavy bottom, cook the first 5 ingredients.
2. Stir with a wooden spoon over a low heat until the sugar dissolves.
3. Increase the heat, and cook without stirring until the mixture begins to boil.
4. Watch carefully so that it does not burn.
5. Test readiness by dropping a few drops of the mixture in cold water.
6. If the drops crack then the mixture is ready.
7. Take the taffy off the heat add the cream of tartar and pour onto the buttered cookie sheet.
8. Let the mixture cool before you start pulling.
9. When the taffy is cool enough, grease the your hands with butter.
10. Give each child a lump of taffy to pull or they can pull a piece between them.
11. Pull and stretch the taffy until it is light and slightly firm.
12. Using scissors, cut stretched candy into bite-size pieces.
13. When completely cool, wrap each piece in waxed paper.

Hmm....a recipe for Salt Water Taffy