Dalgona candy has just two ingredients, but it can be challenging to get it right! Now that spooky season is here, you can have a try at home of this treat, perfect for Halloween!
Dalgona candy is a popular treat from South Korea. It became known worldwide after the Dalgona coffee craze in 2020. In 2021, after the Squid Game release on Netflix, its popularity rose to new heights!
But, you might be wondering…
What is dalgona candy?
The word dalgona is a colloquial expression in Korean that means something like “it’s sweet,” and many call it “ppopgi,” too. As for the treat itself, some countries know it as honeycomb toffee. To make it, you need only two ingredients: melted sugar and a pinch of baking soda.
Recently, this candy was just a retro treat from the 70s and 80s. Back then, it was a kids’ favorite among street candy.
Street vendors usually molded different shapes, challenging the kids to cut them cleanly without breaking the candy, just like the characters fighting to survive in the Squid.
The tradition was that the winners would have the dalgona candy for free, making it a part game, part treat. It was an offer hard to resist, and it inspired the second episode of the first season of the Squid Game!
Tips to make dalgona candy
Although this treat requires very few ingredients to make, it isn’t easy to get it right.
That’s why I had to research thoroughly to find the best way to make dalgona candy without making a mess and getting that nice texture.
- Stir non-stop while melting the sugar. After adding baking soda, stir faster with a steady hand.
- Add just a pinch of baking soda per tablespoon of sugar that you melt. Adding too much will create a pancake-ish thickness.
- While melting the sugar, take the ladle out of the fire from time to time. It will help to avoid burning the sugar.
- Once the dalgona candy acquires its light brown color, transfer to a plate with parchment paper. Let it cool for 20 seconds before pressing.
- To press the mixture, you can use any object with a flat and round side. It’s important to pick something that you can grab safely.
- Spray or wipe a bit of oil on the flat surface that will be in touch with the candy mixture.
- Press the cookie cutter against flour before pushing it against the mixture. It will help to prevent the candy from sticking to the cookie cutter.
Dalgona Candy Recipe
Equipment
- Stainless steel laddle
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp baking soda
Instructions
- Line a large plate or a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add sugar in a stainless steel soup ladle. Place it directly over a medium-low flame, and stir the sugar with a chopstick until it starts melting.
- When sugar melts and changes its color to amber, remove the ladle from the heat.
- Add a pinch of baking soda and stir until you get a light brown color.
- Pour the mixture onto the plate in a circle.
- Spray the flat side of your flat object with oil and press the candy to get a thin disc of Dalgona candy.
- To create your favorite shapes, use a cookie cutter.
- Let the Dalgona candy to cool and enjoy!
Video
Notes
If you liked this dalgona candy recipe, you might like some of my other recipes too.
And remember, if you try this recipe and want to share your pictures, tag me @lacooquette on Instagram. I’d love to share your pictures on my IG stories.
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