This homemade Candy Corn recipe creates soft, chewy candies with the classic vanilla, honey-like flavor and iconic white, orange, and yellow layers. Perfect for Halloween parties or festive candy bowls.
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Chill Time
1 hour
Total Time
1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: About 80 pieces
Ingredients
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon honey extract (optional, for authentic flavor)
- Yellow gel food coloring
- Orange gel food coloring
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, dry milk powder, and salt.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, combine the corn syrup, softened butter, vanilla extract, and honey extract. Stir until smooth.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead gently until smooth. If the dough is sticky, add a little more powdered sugar.
Step 4: Divide the Dough
Divide the dough into three equal portions.
- Leave one portion white.
- Tint one portion yellow.
- Tint the last portion orange.
Knead each portion until the color is evenly distributed.
Step 5: Create the Layers
Roll each colored dough into long ropes of equal length.
Arrange the ropes side by side in this order:
- White
- Orange
- Yellow
Press the ropes together gently so they stick.
Step 6: Shape the Candy
Flatten the three-color strip slightly into a long triangle-shaped log.
Using a sharp knife, cut small triangle-shaped pieces about ½ inch (1.25 cm) wide.
Step 7: Let the Candy Dry
Place the candies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Allow them to dry at room temperature for 1 hour, or overnight for a firmer texture.
Tips
- Gel food coloring produces brighter colors without making the dough sticky.
- Honey extract gives candy corn its traditional flavor, but vanilla alone works well too.
- Dust your hands lightly with powdered sugar if the dough becomes sticky.
- Store the candy in a single layer until fully dry.