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Kentucky Cream Pull Candy Recipe

4.9 from 59 reviews

Kentucky Cream Pull Candy is a classic Southern confection known for its rich creamy texture and delightful chewiness. Made from a simple blend of sugar, heavy cream, and corn syrup, this candy is cooked to perfection, then pulled and shaped by hand to create soft, bite-sized pieces with a satiny finish and a subtle vanilla flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Butter for greasing hands and surface

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Candy Station: Butter a marble slab or a large baking sheet generously to prevent the candy from sticking. Keep extra butter handy for greasing your hands and scissors during pulling and cutting.
  2. Cook the Candy Base: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, heavy cream, light corn syrup, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves. Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and stop stirring. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 260°F (127°C), the hard ball stage for candy making.
  3. Cool the Mixture: Carefully pour the hot candy mixture onto the prepared buttered slab or baking sheet. Let it cool for about 10 to 15 minutes until it is just cool enough to handle safely.
  4. Pull the Candy: Butter your hands thoroughly to prevent sticking. Stretch and fold the candy repeatedly, pulling it for 10 to 15 minutes. During this process, the candy will lighten in color and develop a glossy, satiny texture.
  5. Shape & Set: Pull the candy into ropes about ½-inch thick. Use buttered scissors to cut the ropes into bite-sized pieces. Place the candies onto wax paper to cool completely and set before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Using a candy thermometer is essential to achieve the correct temperature and texture.
  • Butter your hands and tools well to prevent the candy from sticking during pulling and shaping.
  • If you don’t have a marble slab, a large buttered baking sheet works as an excellent alternative.
  • Store finished candies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
  • The pulling process aerates the candy, giving it a lighter texture and appealing sheen.

Keywords: Kentucky pull candy, cream candy, Southern candy recipe, homemade candy, soft chew candy, candy pulling technique