This delightful Kentucky Cream Pull Candy: Sweet Nostalgia Made Simple comes together in about 30 minutes and is a no-bake treat that your family will love! It’s the perfect blend of creamy sweetness and chewy texture. You can easily switch up the flavors or add in your favorite mix-ins to make it your own, it’s like a clean-out-the-pantry project that turns into something seriously delicious. So, let’s dive into this mouthwatering recipe!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing hands and surfaces)
How to Make Kentucky Cream Pull Candy
Alright, here’s the fun part! Ready to roll up your sleeves and get cooking? Let’s go through this step by step.
Combine Sugar, Cream, and Corn Syrup : In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine 2 cups of granulated sugar, 1 cup of heavy cream, and 1/2 cup of light corn syrup. Give it a good stir to mix everything together, and then place it over medium heat. You want to stir occasionally, just enough to ensure the sugar dissolves completely and doesn’t burn, about 5-7 minutes.
Add Salt and Bring to a Boil : Once everything’s dissolved, add in 1/4 teaspoon of salt and continue to heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Keep an eye on it! You want to bring it to a soft ball stage, which is about 240°F grab that candy thermometer! It’ll take about 10-15 minutes.
Remove from Heat and Stir in Vanilla : As soon as it reaches that temperature, remove the pot from the heat. This is your chance to add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir it all together until it’s well-combined. If you want to get fancy, now’s the time to mix in any additional flavorings or colors maybe a drop of peppermint oil for a minty twist or some food coloring for fun!
Let it Cool : Now, this part is crucial. Pour the mixture into a buttered dish to cool down. Let it sit for at least 15-20 minutes. You want it cool enough that you can handle it but not so cool that it becomes hard.
Pulling the Candy : Once the candy is cool enough to handle (but still warm, kind of like playdough), grease your hands with a little butter and begin to pull the candy. Stretch and fold it until it becomes light in color and has that beautiful, glossy finish, this can take about 10-15 minutes. It’s a great arm workout, too! Plus, you’ll feel like a candy-making wizard.
Shape and Cut : When the candy is cool and elastic, shape it into a log or rectangle. If you want to get super creative, you can even roll it out or cut it into bite-sized pieces right away. Just make sure to butter your knife or scissors. Let it set completely at room temperature.
Enjoy! Once it’s set, cut the candy into squares or pieces and enjoy your sweet creation! It’s totally a crowd-pleaser and sure to make you nostalgic for days gone by.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Kentucky Cream Pull Candy is my go-to recipe whenever I’m craving some sweet comfort food. Growing up, my grandma used to whip this up in her kitchen, and it’s become a family favorite through the generations. What I adore about it is how incredibly simple it is to make seriously, it comes together so easily, and you can tweak it to use whatever you have on hand or suit your taste! I’m a real sucker for treats that bring everyone together around the table, and this candy does just that, my kids always ask for seconds!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Cherry Amaretto Tiramisu, my Boozy Bourbon Cherries, or my Easy Ragtag Candies!
Tips for Success
Comfort Food
The best part is that this candy is pure comfort food. It’s sweet, chewy, and just downright delicious. You’ll want to share it with everyone!
Customizable
Got some nuts lying around? Go ahead and toss those in! Or how about some dried fruit? Seriously, add whatever you like. You can even switch up the flavor by using different extracts, almond or maple for a fun twist.
Make-Ahead Friendly
Worried about last-minute preparations? No problem! This candy stores beautifully and can be made ahead of time for parties or holidays. Just keep it in an airtight container to preserve freshness.
Budget-Friendly
Using just a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe won’t break the bank. It’s perfect for families looking to create delicious treats without spending a fortune. I mean, who doesn’t love that?
Crowd-Pleaser
Honestly, set this candy out at a gathering, and it’s sure to disappear fast. Kids love it, adults love it it’s just one of those treats that everyone can’t resist.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Kentucky Cream Pull Candy
I love to serve it on a pretty platter, maybe with some colorful sprinkles or a drizzle of melted chocolate for flair! Pair it with coffee or hot cocoa for a cozy treat on chilly nights.
Storage
Stored properly, this candy can last for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. Just make sure it’s in an airtight container to keep it from becoming too hard or losing its luscious flavor.
Reheating Instructions
If for some reason the candy gets too hard, pop it in the microwave for just a few seconds to soften it up, maybe 5-10 at most. But honestly, we usually end up gobbling it down long before it has a chance to harden!
Freezer Friendly
Yep, you can freeze it! Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in an airtight container. To thaw, leave it in the fridge overnight or let it sit out at room temperature until it’s soft again.
Food is truly about bringing people together, and this Kentucky Cream Pull Candy is a testament to that! I mean, who can resist the lovingly crafted sweetness and nostalgia that comes from a simple recipe? So, roll up your sleeves, gather the family, and make some sweet memories in the kitchen today!
Let me know what you think of this recipe or how you decided to make it your own! I’d love to hear your stories and ideas! And remember, whether you’re meal prepping for a busy week or just treating the family to something special, my classic lasagna, my easy sheet pan chicken, or my weeknight chili are just a click away. Happy cooking!
Always ensure to check my blog for more recipes like these! Follow us on Pinterest for daily baking inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Kentucky Cream Pull Candy
Ingredients
Method
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine granulated sugar, heavy cream, and light corn syrup. Stir to mix and place over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
- Add salt, and continue to heat until the mixture boils, reaching the soft ball stage of 240°F. This will take about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla extract. Mix well. You can also add any optional flavorings or colors at this stage.
- Pour the mixture into a buttered dish and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes until it’s cool enough to handle.
- Grease your hands with butter and begin pulling the candy, stretching and folding it until it becomes light in color and glossy, about 10-15 minutes.
- Shape the candy into a log or rectangle. Optionally, roll it out or cut into pieces. Butter your knife or scissors to make cutting easier.
- Let it set completely at room temperature before cutting into squares or pieces.