Home made Salt Water Taffy

Sunday night is our "treat night". We don't do many desserts during the week, but Sunday is our day to splurge. Tonight we decided to do something really fun and "pull" taffy with the girls. This is something I remember doing a lot as a kid. And after tonight I have to give my mom a lot of credit for keeping 6 kids (and sometimes friends too) all pulling taffy without getting it everywhere. My girls gave up after a few minutes, and just ate the taffy that had stuck to their fingers. The hubs did pretty well, but had me finish it off when my portion was pulled and done. Taffy is so easy to make, pretty quick too, but the most time is spent pulling,and pulling, and pulling to get the air into the taffy and change it from clear to opaque. Just make sure you have plenty of butter on your hands, and some extra to replace it as you go, get comfy and pull :)

Home Made Salt Water Taffy
2 cups sugar
2 tbsp corn syrup
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup white vinegar*
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
In a heavy saucepan (I use a 4 quart saucepan) combine all six ingredients. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Cook it on medium high heat  until it reaches hard ball stage (determined with the water test*).  Remove from heat and stir in flavoring of choice, we used 1/2 tbsp root beer extract and it was so yummy!.  Pour it onto a well buttered cookie sheet and let it cool until it is luke warm, or cool enough to handle.  Divide the taffy into 4 pieces and stretch/pull until taffy turns from dark and clear to light and opaque (it will still be a bit shiny).  Form it into ropes and cut into pieces with scissors.  Wrap in wax paper squares or caramel wraps.  Enjoy!

*for a less strong vinegar bite use 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup water.  

This one is for the kids...

I am always looking for something fun and creative to do with my kids...  They love to create, color, paint, anything artsy really... So play doh is a must have at our house.  The most frustrating part of play doh for me is opening the container to find it hard as a rock.  Then you scramble to find a replacement or something else to do.  As a kid we always made home made play doh, a flour and salt based dough that was just as good as the store bought stuff minus the chemicals they add to preserve it.  When I came across this recipe, I knew I had to try it out!  

Kool-aid Dough

The kool-aid packet gives it a vibrant color as well as a very pleasing scent.  There is no sugar in it, so for those who choose to take a taste (totally safe to do it) they won't be too impressed and want to continue.  I whipped up three batches for a playdate we're having after school today and I have to admit... I am super excited to have the kids come over and try it out :)  I think I will join them too.

So here's the recipe, make sure to keep this one stashed away in your arsenal for a rainy day..

Kool-aid Dough
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup salt
1 packet Kool-aid unsweetened drink mix
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 tablespoons oil
extra flour for kneading
airtight containers (I use Ziploc freezer bags)

Mix the first 4 ingredients in a large bowl.  Add boiling water and oil; stir with a fork until cooled, then mix with hands until well combined.  Knead until no longer sticky, adding additional flour 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency.  Store in the refrigerator.