When Halloween rolls around, one of the most iconic treats you’ll find is candy corn—those colorful little morsels that are shaped like kernels of corn and layered in white, orange, and yellow. While candy corn has been a Halloween staple for over a century, many people don’t realize that you can actually make candy corn at home using simple ingredients. Homemade candy corn has a delightful chewy texture and a much fresher taste than the store-bought variety, making it a fun and rewarding project.

This guide will walk you through how to create your very own homemade candy corn from scratch. It’s easier than you might think and allows you to customize the colors and flavors to suit your preferences. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to impress guests at a Halloween party or to enjoy a nostalgic DIY candy experience.

1. How To Make Candy Corn at Home

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • ⅓ cup powdered milk (or nonfat dry milk)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup light corn syrup
  • 2 ½ tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Food coloring: Yellow and orange (gel or liquid)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, powdered milk, and salt. Set this mixture aside.

Step 2: Cook the Sugar Syrup

Heat the sugar syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, water, and unsalted butter. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture begins to simmer.

Cook until soft-ball stage: Using a candy thermometer, cook the mixture until it reaches 230°F (110°C) (the “soft-ball stage”). This will take about 5-7 minutes. Once it reaches the right temperature, remove the saucepan from the heat.

Step 3: Add the Vanilla and Combine

Add the vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract once the sugar mixture has been removed from the heat.

Mix with the dry ingredients: Carefully pour the hot sugar syrup into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon until it forms a soft, dough-like consistency.

Step 4: Divide and Color the Dough

Divide the dough: Once the dough has formed, divide it into three equal portions. Place each portion in a separate bowl for coloring.

Add the colors: Add a few drops of yellow food coloring to one portion and a few drops of orange food coloring to another portion. Leave the third portion white. Knead each portion until the color is evenly distributed. If the dough becomes too sticky, you can dust your hands with a bit of powdered sugar.

Step 5: Roll the Dough Into Strips

Roll the dough: On a clean surface, roll each portion of dough into long, thin ropes about ¼ inch thick. If the dough is too soft to roll, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes to firm up slightly.

Step 6: Layer and Shape the Candy Corn

Layer the ropes: Lay one yellow rope, one orange rope, and one white rope side by side, gently pressing them together so they stick. If the ropes are too long, you can cut them into smaller sections to make them easier to handle.

Flatten the ropes: Use your fingers or a rolling pin to gently flatten the ropes together, creating a long strip of yellow, orange, and white dough.

Cut into triangles: Using a sharp knife, cut the flattened strip into small triangles. Each triangle will resemble the shape of a piece of candy corn, with the white at the top, orange in the middle, and yellow at the bottom.

Step 7: Let the Candy Corn Set

Let the candy dry: Place the candy corn pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow them to sit at room temperature for 24 hours so they can fully dry and firm up.

2. Tips for Making Homemade Candy Corn

Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is more concentrated than liquid food coloring, which means you can use less of it to achieve vibrant colors without affecting the texture of the dough.

Work Quickly: Once the sugar mixture reaches the right temperature, you’ll need to work fairly quickly to mix and shape the dough before it cools and hardens.

Dust with Powdered Sugar: If the dough becomes sticky while kneading or rolling, dust your hands and the surface with a bit of powdered sugar to prevent sticking.

Customize the Colors and Flavors: Feel free to experiment with different food coloring combinations to make candy corn in fun, non-traditional colors. You can also add a drop of flavored extract, such as almond or lemon, to give your candy corn a unique twist.

3. Variations on Homemade Candy Corn

While traditional candy corn features the familiar yellow, orange, and white layers, you can get creative with different colors or flavors:

Halloween-Themed: Try making candy corn in black, purple, and white for a spooky twist.

Christmas Candy Corn: Swap the classic colors for red, green, and white to make festive candy corn for the holiday season.

Candy Corn Pumpkins: Instead of cutting the dough into triangles, shape it into small pumpkin shapes and use a toothpick to add ridges.

4. How to Store Homemade Candy Corn

Homemade candy corn can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep it in a cool, dry place to maintain its texture. If you want to store it for longer, you can place the candy corn in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, though it’s best enjoyed fresh for optimal flavor and texture.

5. Fun Facts About Candy Corn

National Candy Corn Day is celebrated on October 30th, just before Halloween.

Candy corn was originally called “Chicken Feed” because corn was mainly associated with livestock feed in the late 1800s.

Over 35 million pounds of candy corn are produced each year, which translates to about 9 billion pieces of candy!

Candy corn was once made by hand, with each color layer poured separately into molds. Today, the process is fully automated.

Making homemade candy corn is a fun and rewarding way to get into the Halloween spirit. Not only does it taste fresher and more flavorful than store-bought candy corn, but it also gives you the opportunity to add your own creative flair to this classic treat. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create your own batch of colorful, chewy candy corn to share with family and friends.

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Julia Jane is a home cook inspired by her mother's cooking. With the desire to share my cooking experiences with everyone, she created this website

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