I thought a fun summer activity would be to make some pioneer candy recipes – and it was! My kids and I made “pioneer taffy” and old fashioned rock candy. They took a little while to cook, but in the end it was worth it. These pioneer treats would be great to have for a homeschool lesson, Pioneer Days Primary activity, Little House On The Prairie project, or just for fun!
Pioneer Candy Recipes
FYI: The pioneer taffy is a hard candy, not a soft, chewy taffy.
Pioneer Hard Taffy Recipe
Before you scroll to the recipe to get started, just a little heads up…
Make sure you don’t cook it too long or this is what happens after you pour the mixture on your buttered cookie sheet: When I tried to take it off the cookie sheet it cracked- big no no!
Instead of it cracking because I cooked it too long the first time, the second time I made it, after I poured it on the pan, I let it cool for 5 min, then started pulling it. It was HOT but I pulled it for about 10-15 min. Then it started getting hard.
When it starts to get hard, this is when you want to finish pulling it, in the size of candies you want to break it off in.
Pioneer Taffy
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup white corn syrup
- 2 tsp glycerin found at heath food stores
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 T butter
- 1 tsp. salt
Instructions
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Mix sugar, water, salt, corn syrup and glycerin in a heavy saucepan.
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Bring to a boil, and cook until the temperature reaches 258 degrees. Don't overcook or it will turn hard before you can pull it!
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Remove from heat and add the butter and vanilla until the butter has melted.
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Pour candy onto a buttered cookie sheet.
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Cool approx. 5 minutes or until taffy can be handled comfortably.
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Take a small piece of taffy and stretch and fold until the taffy turns white.
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Right when it starts to get hard, form taffy into the desired shape.
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Place on wax paper.
Old Fashioned Rock Candy ~ Pioneer Dessert Recipe
This is even easier than the taffy, and it looks super cute in an old-fashioned jar. Both of these pioneer recipes are fun to make with kids… what kid doesn’t want to pull taffy or crack candy with a blunt object?? They all do.
Old Fashioned Rock Candy
Ingredients
- 3 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp flavored oil
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- food coloring
Instructions
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Butter or spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
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Combine sugar, water, corn syrup and food coloring in a large saucepan. Mix well together and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and let it cook for 3 minutes to completely dissolve the sugar crystals.
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Uncover the pan and turn up the heat to medium high. Place the thermometer into the mixture. Cook the mixture without stirring until it reaches 300 degrees (hard crack point)
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Remove the pan from the heat. Stir the flavored oil into the mixture.
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Pour the candy into the baking pan. Let the candy cool completely. This takes at least an hour.
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Take a butter knife handle and break the candy in pieces.
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Put the candy in a plastic bag with powdered sugar, seal it and shake it, so they are coated. Shake off the excess and remove each piece from the bag. Enjoy! (Be careful, as some of the pieces can be sharp.)
If you liked this 1800s candy recipe post, check out:
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Pictures of the Pioneer Taffy remind me of making Vinegar Pulled Taffy with my Mama when I was little. If I close my eyes, I can taste it. What great memories for your little ones!
That looks amazing!
I passed this one along to some family and friends because I think it will be so fun to make with the kids. The 2nd recipe calls for 1 dram of flavoring.
I did a little research online and I think a ***dram is = to 3/4 tsp*** 8 drams in a liquid ounce. 6 tsp in an ounce. 6/8=.75 or 3/4 tsp. someone please correct me if I am wrong. Can’t wait to try these out!
Bonnie-
Yes you are correct. The flavoring I buy is exactly 1 dram, or .125 fl oz or 3.7 ml. I measured it and it was exactly 1 tsp. I used the whole bottle. Thanks!
Oh YUM!
Looks like a lot of fun! I might have to use this idea for my youth activity night.
You are a freakin’ genius.
LOVE THIS! Taffy is my fav. I will have to do this with my girls!
I can’t wait to try this. My girls are Little House on the Prairie fans so this will be perfect to try. Thanks for the great blog entry
Donna
http://flowersnplaid.blogspot.com
We used to pull taffy for FHE when I was a little girl! That waiting to cool is an important step as my brother and his blistered hand learned the hard way.
I haven’t been able to find flavored oil. Where do you buy it or is there a substitute I could use?
Any baking store should have them. Also, you could even try Amazon, they seem to have everything.
I’m making your rock candy recipe now. I assume you put the flavor in after removing from heat?
Also, I made the pioneer candy last night. It didn’t turn out for me, but I’m sure it was something I did, or maybe the extreme humidity. Does it stay tacky? And it didn’t hold its shape. Any tips?
Hey Amanda! Jessica (who wrote the post) no longer blogs, but I just texted her… hopefully I can get her to check back in and help you out!
Amanda- Yes, put the flavoring in after removing it from the heat.
As for the Pioneer Taffy it is NOT a soft taffy. After it reaches 258 degrees, let it cool for about 5 minutes and then start pulling and stretching it. When it turns white is when you should make it into the shape you want, then it will turn hard soon after that. I’m wondering maybe if it didn’t reach the 258 degrees… hope that helps! Good luck!
Thanks for chiming in, girlfriend!! I miss you!!
I have experimented with Taffy, and found if you cook it a degree or two below the softball stage, it is a softer taffy. It is also easier to pull, if you keep coconut oil or butter slathered on your hands.
Great tips! Thanks, Cheryl!