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Cape Cod Saltwater Taffy

Image Credit:
Photographic Poet/shutterstock
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
Makes 35-40 pieces.
Category
Candy
Course
Other
Preparation Method
Boil
Sources
Yankee Magazine's Lost and Vintage Recipes

Make your own classic Cape Cod saltwater taffy at home with this easy recipe! Perfectly chewy, sweet, and flavored just like the seaside favorite—no trip to the beach needed.

Most people agree that saltwater taffy was first popularized at Fralinger’s, a shop on the Atlantic City boardwalk, around 1883. It was never actually made with saltwater, though the recipe does call for some salt. According to The New York Times, the name may simply refer to the boardwalk’s proximity to the sea.

Ingredients
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for baking sheets and hands
1/2 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons flavor extract (your choice of orange, lemon, strawberry, maple, etc.)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Food coloring of your choice

Instructions

  1. Liberally grease a large baking sheet with butter and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Add the corn syrup, water, butter, and salt and stir over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil.
  3. Cook, without stirring, until the mixture just reaches 250°F on a candy thermometer, or until a small piece dropped into a cup of cold water forms a firm, but not sticky, ball. Immediately remove from heat and stir in the flavor, vanilla, and several drops of food coloring.
  4. Pour the mixture onto the greased baking sheet and let it cool until you’re able to handle it, about 15 minutes.
  5. Grease your hands with butter, then pull and stretch the taffy until it lightens in color, about 15 minutes total. Form into ropes and cut into pieces with buttered scissors. Wrap the pieces in squares of parchment or wax paper.

About The Author
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...
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Comments

<span>Pat Dyer</span> Wed, 05/13/2026 - 09:23
In Jersey we have "Filled Salt Water Taffy" ! I love the peanut butter salt water taffy. Can you fill this taffy ? I guess you would mold the taffy around a small amount of peanut butter ??? Just Wondering.