Fresh cotton candy is a fun treat usually only found at amusement parks and carnivals. If you are craving the light and fluffy sweetness of cotton candy, you can make some for yourself right at home — no fancy machine required!
What you’ll need:
- sugar
- corn syrup
- cherry extract
- food coloring
- cooking spray
- measuring cups
- large pot
- bamboo skewers
- candy thermometer
- whisk
- wire cutters
What you’ll do:
Step one
Take an inexpensive whisk and use the wire cutters to cut each wire loop of the whisk, then straighten out the tines.
Step two
In a large pot combine 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup corn syrup and 1 teaspoon cherry extract.
Step three
Whisk the ingredients together, add the candy thermometer to the pot, and dissolve the mixture over high heat.
Step four
While the candy heats, prep your bamboo skewers. Place two bamboo skewers under a heavy book (you may want to cover the book with a plastic bag to protect it). If you would like to protect your floors from any sugar drips, lay down some newspaper or plastic.
Step five
Closely watch the candy mixture as it boils. Bring it up to 300 degrees F, then remove it from the heat to allow it to thicken slightly. Warning: The candy mixture is extremely hot and will burn you if you come in contact with it. Children should not come near the hot candy.
Step six
Take a small amount of food coloring and mix it in with the candy.
Step seven
Once the candy mixture has thickened slightly, dip the whisk in the mixture. Swing the whisk back and forth above the bamboo skewers so that the “strings” of candy falling from the whisk land on the skewers.
Step eight
Remove the cotton candy from the skewers and loosely fold it into a “nest” of cotton candy. If you would like your cotton candy on a stick, you can add a large popsicle stick to form the handle.
Image credit: Amy Vowles
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