1. Candy Making
Food and Nutrition II

2. Stick to the Rules Use the recommended size and type of cooking pan.
Not doing this will effect cooking time
Never double a candy recipe!
Use a good dependable candy thermometer. The thermometer should be standing upright and the bulb should not touch the bottom of the pan.

3. More Candy Making Tips
Test candy carefully. The cold water test is recommended even when using a thermometer.
Both humidity and altitude effect candy. Do not make candy on a rainy day. Wait for the sun to shine.
Never substitute margarine for butter!

4. Cold Water Test Thread Stage (syrup)
degrees
When a teaspoon is dipped into the hot mixture,
then removed, the candy falls off the spoon in a
2-inch long, fine, thin thread.

5. Cold Water Test Soft Ball Stage (fudge)
degrees
When the ball of candy is removed from the
cold water the candy instantly flattens and runs
between your fingers.

6. Cold Water Test Firm Ball Stage (caramels)
degrees
When the ball of candy is removed from the
cold water it is firm enough to hold it’s shape
but quickly flattens at room temp.

7. Cold Water Test Hard Ball Stage (marshmallows)
degrees
When taken out of the water the ball won’t
flatten. The ball will be hard however you can
still change it’s shape by squashing it.

8. Cold Water Test Soft Crack Stage (popcorn balls)
degrees
When you drop a bit of this syrup into cold
water, it will solidify into threads that, when
removed from the water, are flexible, not brittle.
They will bend slightly before breaking.

9. Cold Water Test Hard Crack Stage (hard candy)
degrees
Drop a little of the molten syrup in cold water
and it will form hard, brittle threads that break
when bent. CAUTION: To avoid burns, allow
the syrup to cool in the cold water for a few
moments before touching it!

10. Warning!!
Whenever you cook candy, you need to beware of getting burned. The high temperatures at which you cook many candies create a very volatile solution that spews small, boiling globules out of the pot. If these globules touch your skin, they can cause severe burns, and you should place the affected area under cold water and treat it as soon as possible. Resist the urge to touch the burned spot to your mouth because doing so causes a second, more severe burn to your lips.