Directions: |
Directions:Mix all ingredients in an 8 quart pan and cook on moderately high heat stirring constantly; it'll turn brown (boiling to top of pan). Cook til it hits the "hard crack" stage (or, the "hard ball" stage) Jim, who always used a candy thermometer, said that is between the 252 and 255 degree stage. Drop a smidging of the cooked goo into a cup of very cold water, then mold it into a ball and try cracking the edge of the "ball" over the edge of the water container. When you hear the "crack," the mixture is ready to remove from the heat and mix in 2 Tbsp. of vanilla. Pour the goo into a well buttered 9" X 13" pan, sprinkle crushed black walnuts on top and set the goo outside in freezing weather until it is cold and stiff enough for "pulling". (it should still be very hot to the hands so the pulling team MUST grease up their hands and forearms very well with butter!).
Then, when it is considered the right temperature and stiffness for pulling, one of the team members takes the whole gob of taffy and starts the pulling process until it can be pulled out about an arm's length. Then, the "thrower" has the "post" person stick their hands (fingers together) up like any post and the thrower throws the taffy onto the team member's post,with both twisting the taffy as they pull back. Pull the taffy as a team til it turns a creamy white and strings of taffy start coming off the sides of the main portion of the taffy.
The pulling team will likely be pulling the taffy across the room at this point and, it is exhausting so others may need to put their arms around the pulling team member's waist and help the team keep pulling. (An alternative is that someone else has to step in, hands and forearms also heavily greased in butter, and take over for one or both of the pulling team members.)
Once the pulling team says so, it is time for others to step in with their heavily buttered hands to help stretch the taffy,(without squeezing it into a thinner size) and moves with the team to take it all outside and hang the taffy on already prepared broomsticks that have been wrapped in wax paper and laid parallel on the backs of chairs for this "hanging out". Then, the idea is to let the taffy get crisp in the cold air, break off a few pieces and bring those pieces inside to serve to everyone. Obviously, the taffy has a creamy, buttery taste and a black walnut taste. One can omit the black walnuts but it isn't nearly as scrumptious! People with false teeth or other dental problems may have a difficult time sucking and chewing the taffy. |
This recipe for Taffy (For a taffy pull) is from