Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe (2024)

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1Reliving Memories with an Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe

1.1Do you have a food that brings back such powerful memories?

1.2Have you tried Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy?

Reliving Memories with an Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe

Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe (1)

When I was growing up, we lived next door to the sweetest lady. We all called her Grandma Della. She really was like a grandma to all nine of us crazy Nelson kids. It was such a shock to me to grow up and learn she wasn’t really my Grandma by relation. Just a great neighbor and family friend that all us kids adopted to be a grandma. And it wasn’t just our family that were her adopted Grandkids. She was known as Grandma Della by all the kids in our little community.

One of my favorite memories as a kid was always visiting Grandma Della. She always had the best stories to tell, and delicious treats! The one treat she was most known for in our entire community was her old fashioned Vinegar taffy. I’m telling you this vinegar taffy recipe was famous!

Every Halloween kids would visit her house first just for the Vinegar Taffy. And every Christmas we’d get a plate full of these coveted goodies!

Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe (2)

Grandma Della passed away a number of years ago. She has been greatly missed. She left behind such an amazing legacy with her kindness, love and compassion. It is amazing how one can touch so many and make such a powerful impact on their lives. And she was definitely one of those women who impacted so many for good.

It amazes me how a simple flavor can bring back a flood of memories. The last time I was home visiting, I went through my Mom’s recipe cupboards to find some of my favorite recipes from growing up and I stumbled upon Grandma Della’s Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy recipe. I knew instantly I had to bring this tradition to my family.

So we got started over Christmas Holiday making the Vinegar Taffy. The recipe is quite simple and so easy to get ready.

Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe (3)

Prepare the sugar, cream of tartar, vinegar and salt in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil until it reaches the hard ball stage (250 degrees F). Remove from the heat and then add in the butter.

Then you will spray a dish with a little coconut oil or lightly grease it. Just so it doesn’t stick to the plate/dish. And pour in the taffy mixture. And then allow it to cool until you can manipulate it with your hands without it burning.

Next is the part that begins to bring back the memories. The taffy pulling!

Wash your hands well. Then lightly butter them to prevent the taffy from sticking.

I set up a station for each kid and pulled off a smaller section of the taffy for them each to pull.

Then you start pulling the taffy.

Pull fromthe center out. Then put the ends together and pull from the enter out again.

Just keep pulling. Just keep Pulling (I think you can think up a song for this phrase right?)

Pull the taffy until it is light in color and stiff. The whiter the better. This could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 60 minutes depending on how many people you have pulling the taffy and how much you each are working with.

How taffy begins #candy #Christmas #baking #treats #traditions

A photo posted by Amber Edwards (@jadelouisedesigns) on

This was a great activity with the kids, as I gave each one their own little section to pull. As we pulled we talked and I told them stories about Grandma Della and the history of the Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy and what it has meant to our family.

Next shape into a nice long rope. And cut with greased scissors into 1″ pieces.

Hmmm old fashioned vinegar taffy! Brings back great memories. #taffy #oldfashioned #recipe #Christmas #christmastreats

A photo posted by Amber Edwards (@jadelouisedesigns) on

Then wrap up in wax paper.

Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe (4)

As we pulled, the memories of sitting in Grandma Della’s kitchen helping her to pull taffy as she told stories of when she was a little girl came flooding back to me in such a rush. I could remember the smells, the sounds, the colors. I could remember the love emanating from Grandma Della.

And then when I tasted my first bite of Grandma Della’s Vinegar Taffy, it was like I was transported back in time. It’s amazing what a little flavor associated with great memories can do.

And while mine doesn’t look as beautiful as Grandma Della’s vinegar taffy did (she has years more practice getting it to look just right) the flavor was exactly the same! And I may have been a bit emotional for the duration. But it was so worth it, having that little piece of Grandma Della back in my life again.

Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe (5)

I think this will definitely be a new family tradition; to make Grandma Della’s Vinegar Taffy near Christmas to share with friends and family and build our own memories around for my own kids. And it will give me a great time to remember back on such an amazing woman who had such a powerful impact on my life.

Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe (6)

Do you have a food that brings back such powerful memories?

Have you tried Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy?

Yield:

Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe

Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe (7)

An old recipe passed down the generations for a family favorite Old fashioned Vinegar Taffy candy.

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 cup White distilled vinegar (could substitute apple cider if needed)
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 Tablespoons butter ( Or a diary free butter substitute if you need dairy free)

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients except butter in a pan.
  2. Bring to boil
  3. Boil until it reaches the hard ball stage (~250 degrees f)
  4. Remove from heat and add butter
  5. Lightly Grease a platter
  6. Pour the Taffy onto the platter and allow to cool until you can handle without burning your hands.
  7. Wash your hands
  8. Apply a thin layer of butter to your hands
  9. Begin to pull the taffy
  10. Pull until it is light in color and stiff (15-60 minutes)
  11. Roll into a rope
  12. Cut into 1" pieces
  13. Wrap in wax paper squares
Old Fashioned Vinegar Taffy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does cornstarch do to taffy? ›

The addition of cornstarch (called cornflour in British recipes) helps give the taffy a smooth texture. Why do I add corn syrup? Corn syrup acts as an "interfering agent" in this and many other candy recipes.

Why is my taffy so hard? ›

If it's very cold outside, the candy is cooked at a lower temperature, which produces a softer candy. The opposite holds true when the temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. We cook the taffy to a higher degree, producing a slightly firmer piece of candy.

What is the most prevalent ingredient in taffy? ›

Salt water taffy

It is also popular in Atlantic Canada and Salt Lake City, Utah. Modern commercial taffy is made primarily from corn syrup, glycerin and butter. The pulling process, which makes the candy lighter and chewier, consists of stretching out the mixture, folding it over, and stretching it again.

How to keep taffy from sticking? ›

Refrigerating or even freezing taffy before unwrapping can make a significant difference. When taffy is cold, it is less likely to stick to the wrapper, making it easier to peel away. Additionally, try to handle the taffy with dry hands and avoid squeezing the candy, which can cause the wrapper to adhere more tightly.

How do you firm up taffy? ›

The best solution to melted taffy is merely to let it set unbothered at room temperature (72 for a period of 24 hours.

What happens if you add too much cornstarch? ›

Plus, using too much cornstarch can result in an excessively brittle coating, which might be undesirable for a particular dish. Like any pantry ingredient, cornstarch is just another tool in the toolbox we call our kitchen.

Is there a difference between taffy and salt water taffy? ›

Every brand will have its own special recipe, but taffy and salt water taffy are often considered to be the same candy, with one key difference—the design. While traditional taffy can come in all shapes and sizes, salt water taffy has a signature look.

What makes taffy stretchy? ›

The process of pulling taffy adds air to the taffy mixture, which in recent years has been made from corn syrup and sugar. The process of adding air to the taffy is important to keep it soft. Adding the aeration to the taffy will also make it lighter and chewier.

How long does homemade taffy last? ›

Does salt water taffy expire? Yes, taffy can go bad and generally expires six months after purchase. Homemade taffy expires even sooner and only lasts 3-7 days.

Is taffy a laxative? ›

These taste very good. The sweetener has to be consumed in moderation please don't eat too many at once or side effects aren't good, a laxative effect.

Is Starburst considered taffy? ›

Starburst (originally known as Opal Fruits) is the brand name of a box-shaped, fruit-flavoured soft taffy candy manufactured by The Wrigley Company, which is a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated.

How do you soften old taffy? ›

To speed that process along, leave the candy in a loosely covered container with a damp paper towel. If the candy is not wrapped, place a double sheet of plastic wrap between the damp towel and the candy. Change the damp towel every two to three days. It will still probably take a month or so for the candy to soften.

Should you refrigerate taffy? ›

The Taffy will stay fresh for up to 8 months if kept in an air-tight container at room temperature (70-75 degrees) or if kept in the bag it comes in.... just close it to keep away from air. The air can make the Taffy stiff over time. Do not refrigerate. The Taffy will become brittle and crunchy.

Why does taffy hurt my teeth? ›

The high sugar content can increase the harmful bacteria in your mouth, leading to gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. Additionally, chewy candies can become stuck in between your teeth and lead to misalignment and TMJ pain.

What does cornstarch do in candy? ›

Corn starch is a close second, as corn starch can be used as a thickening agent in candy centers, fillings, and other semi-liquid sweet treats. There's a place for each of them.

What makes taffy stretch? ›

The process of pulling taffy adds air to the taffy mixture, which in recent years has been made from corn syrup and sugar. The process of adding air to the taffy is important to keep it soft. Adding the aeration to the taffy will also make it lighter and chewier.

What gives taffy an elastic texture? ›

“In some sense, oil droplets and air bubbles are like rubber balls. When deformed in the taffy, they tend to return to their original, spherical shape because of surface tension. In other words, emulsification and aeration make taffy more elastic, hence, chewier.”

Why do you put cornstarch in ice candy? ›

Ice candy is really quite simple to make. They are typically made by blending fresh fruit with milk and sweetener. The method in this recipe allows for a creamy texture without having to add extra cream. Cornstarch is used as a stabilizer and cooked with the ingredient to form a custard-like base.

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