Celebrating Christmas:
Taffy Candy Canes

This is a project that I've done on numerous occasions. Like any candy project, its best done on a low humidity day. And be prepared for sticky hands ... but the kids just love pulling and pulling on the candy watching it change to taffy. 'Course the real trick is to keep them from eating it all at once!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons butter
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Red Food Coloring

1. Combine the sugar, water, vinegar and butter in the medium saucepan.

2. Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved,stirring constantly.

3. Lower the heat and continue to cook without stirring,to 260 degrees on the candy thermometer or until a small amount of syrup forms a firm ball when dropped in very cold water.

4. Remove from heat and stir in the peppermint extract.

5. Pour half the mixture into the buttered pan.

6. Color the remaining half with red food coloring. Allow to cool a few minutes.

7. With clean, lightly buttered hands, pull the taffy until it begins to feel a little stiff (about 6 to 8 minutes)

8. Take one strand of white and one of red and twist together,then form into candy-cane shapes. Allow to cool on waxed paper.

Variation: Use a variety of food coloring to make the taffy, then make all sorts of shapes and designs for the holiday.

Makes approximately 2 dozen.

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