Making cotton candy in large quantities is virtually impossible without a dedicated machine for it. However, it is fun and even quite simple to make these treats using sugar strands if you have the patience, knowledge and some basic utensils. Here are some methods.
Ingredients
Cotton candy in yarn
- 800 g of sugar.
- 40 ml of corn syrup.
- 40 ml of water.
- 1.5 g of salt.
- 5 ml of raspberry extract.
- 2 drops of pink food coloring.
cotton candy pulled
- 4 cups and 1/3 sugar.
- 2 cups of water.
- 5 ml of vinegar.
- 1/2 cup of corn syrup.
- 1 drop of food coloring (optional).
- Maize starch.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Cotton Candy in Yarn
Step 1. Add 4 cups of sugar, 1 cup of corn syrup, 1 cup of water 1.5 g of salt in a large iron pot and bring to medium heat
Stir well until sugar melts. Brush the sides of the pan with a brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming.
Step 2. Use a culinary thermometer to measure the temperature of the mixture
When it reaches 160°C, pour it into a shallow, heat-resistant container. Then add the extract and food coloring, mixing well. Although this recipe calls for raspberry extract and pink dye, you can use any other variation.
Step 3. Line your countertop with parchment paper
Enjoy and put some on the floor too, so you'll avoid a bigger mess.
Step 4. Pull out the sugar
Dip a fué into the sugar mixture and remove, holding it over the container and allowing the syrup to drip for just a moment. Then take it to the parchment paper and, keeping a distance of 30 cm from the countertop, make the tool back and forth to form very thin strips of sugar. Do this a few times until you have a good amount of yarn. Be aware that this cotton candy will not look anything like what you buy on the street.
Step 5. Wrap the cotton candy around wooden sticks
Do this quickly before the sugar hardens.
Step 6. Serve
This dish is best served immediately, but you can also place the cotton candy in an airtight container to prevent it from coming into contact with moisture.
Method 2 of 2: Stretch Cotton Candy
Step 1. Place the ingredients in a medium saucepan
Add 4 cups and 1/3 sugar, 2 cups water, 5 ml vinegar, 1/2 cup corn syrup and 1 drop of food coloring in the pan. Gently stir so as not to form sugar crystals on the sides.
Step 2. Bring to a boil
Using a culinary thermometer, allow the mixture to reach 131 °C. Then, remove the pan from the heat and let the candy reach 100 °C.
Step 3. Divide it evenly into one liter plastic containers
Step 4. Once it is at room temperature, remove the candy from the containers
Do this by turning the jar upside down and squeezing it lightly.
Step 5. Sprinkle a generous amount of cornstarch on a baking sheet with sides
Step 6. Roll the candy in the starch and remove any excess
Step 7. Prepare the candy to be pulled
Punch a hole in the center of it using your thumb and forefingers. Then press to enlarge this hole, thus forming a kind of rope in the shape of a circle. Be careful that the candy doesn't get too thin. Once the circle is big enough, twist the center of it to form a number eight. Then join the two halves.
Step 8. Pull out the candy
Hold the candy in both hands, keeping the front hand still while the back hand moves smoothly. Pull the candy until it's long enough - ten to 14 times.
Step 9. Serve
Enjoy this wonderful pulled cotton candy while it's still the correct consistency.
Tips
- Prepare your kitchen before you start making cotton candy. If the mixture gets cold, it will not be possible to make good sweets.
- Line the kitchen with parchment paper or butter, or even newspaper, to make the cleaning process easier.
- Keep cold water nearby (or work near the sink) in case of burns.
- Please be aware that these are NOT that traditional cotton candy. They are thick, gooey and delicious.
- Follow all safety measures mentioned in the "Notices" section.
- Adding a few drops of the essential oil of your choice can add a different flavor to your creations.
Notices
- Melted sugar can cause serious burns, so be careful. Its temperature is similar to that of oil used in frying, but unlike it, sugar won't come off as quickly - it will stick to you and continue to burn your skin until it cools. This means that if you're not careful, you could get third-degree burns. This type of burn requires medical treatment and is highly painful.
- Making candy is easy, but it's also a job of precision. Even a few degrees above or below recommended will spoil the consistency of the mix.
- Do not pull sugar with your hands when children or pets are around.
- Be extremely careful when preparing cotton candy as this can be a dangerous activity. A fire can happen if you don't constantly watch the pot.
- Remember to wear an apron, as preparing this candy can make a big mess.