Homemade Candy Corn Recipe
Quite possibly the most popular candy for Fall and Halloween is Candy Corn. There is just something about those little marshmallow bites of yellow, orange and white pieces of candy that we all love. They are of course available at most every store you could imagine. But have you ever thought about making your own?
Yes – with this Homemade Candy Corn Recipe, it’s possible and pretty easy too! All you need are some basic ingredients, a strong arm and a little time.
I saw something interesting on Facebook last week. The question was – “when I can buy a box of oatmeal pie cookie sandwiches for under $2, why would I want to bake them myself?”
Now, I have to admit I have thought about this more times than I like to admit, however, the answer is – because you know what ingredients are in them. Which also goes for this Homemade Candy Corn, can you buy it already made for not a lot of money – sure – but if you make your own you definitely know what candy corn ingredients you are using and that there aren’t a bunch of preservatives in it or other ingredients that we can’t even pronounce.
And besides – it’s fun to make your own. The kids love helping roll out the long ropes and putting it together to form the unmistakable candy.
How to make Candy Corn
So how do we make this favorite Halloween Candy? Let’s get started…
First, you will combine the powdered sugar, powdered milk, and salt in a large bowl and stir to combine.
On the stovetop, combine the butter, corn syrup and sugar and boil for about 3-4 minutes. It’s best to use a candy thermometer, cook until it reaches 230 degrees or the soft ball stage. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
Carefully pour the mixture into the powdered sugar mixture.
This is where the strong arm comes in. Grab your hubby if you need help and stir the mixture until well combined.
Turn the mixture out onto a piece of wax paper and let cool until you can easily handle it, about 10-15 minutes.
Divide the mixture into thirds and color two of pieces with yellow and orange, kneading until well combined.
Then roll each piece into ropes, place the ropes together and pinch them slightly until they stick together.
Flatten the ropes and cut into triangles.
Here’s a short video we created for you —
Follow along with my Candy Corn Pinterest Board!
Homemade Candy Corn
Homemade Candy Corn isn't as hard as you think, and taste lots better than store bought. Recipe from HoosierHomemade.com
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar, granulated (white)
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup powdered milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Orange and Yellow Wilton coloring
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, salt and powdered milk.
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, butter and corn syrup.
- Bring to a gentle boil, constantly stirring, turn down heat and continue boiling for about 3-4 minutes. Mixture should read 230 degrees on a candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Add to liquid mixture to the powdered sugar mixture, with a heavy wooden spoon or other sturdy spoon, stir together,
- Place candy on wax paper, and allow to cool until you are able to handle it. Knead until all incorporated.
- Divide into 3 equal parts and color with Wilton orange and yellow coloring. I used my hands to mix the coloring in, you can put gloves on if you want, but I didn't have any trouble washing off the coloring.
- Roll each piece into long ropes, trying to keep the thickness close to the same size.
- Place ropes together, with orange in the middle
- Gently press ropes together, and flatten with your hands
- With a sharp knife cut triangles, not every piece will have a white point (those are good for snacking)
- Cut into several pieces, this recipe made a TON of candy corn
- Store in airtight container.
Notes
Be sure not to boil the mixture too long or the candy corn will be grainy. Adding a little more corn syrup to the mixture when boiling will make the candy corn a little softer.
I had no idea you could make this fresh so easily!
And it taste SO much better than store bought!
-Liz
So fun! My kids would love making this recipe with me!
It’s definitely fun for the kids!
-Liz
I absolutely love candy corn! This looks to fun to make and I would image it would taste much better than store bought 🙂
This is awesome! I will defiantly be trying this. Have you ever tried honey or another healthier syrup then corn syrup? This has always been my fav candy, but I have learn that the ingredient have been hurting me. I have detox my cabinets of wheat and anything with soy lechithin.
Hi Angela, I have not tried honey. I’m sure it would have the same effect on the recipe that corn syrup does, but I’m not sure since I have not tried it.
Could you substitute honey for the corn syrup?
H Andi, I have not tried honey so I can’t say if it would work or not.
I wonder if you could use the dough hook on a stand mixer to mix it?
Hi Jan, we have not tried the hook, the dough is VERY thick though. But it might be worth a try.
~Liz