Seafoam Candy

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 30 mins

Servings: 12 servings

Seafoam candy is a vintage treat that gets its name from its signature airy and bubbly appearance. This confection goes by several other names as well, depending on your region. Some call it sponge candy, honeycomb, hokey pokey, fairy food, or cinder toffee. This sweet treat is not only filled with flavor from the caramelized sugars, but it provides plenty of texture and interest from the air bubbles created when baking soda combines with vinegar. This recipe uses brown sugar and dark corn syrup for an enhanced molasses flavor, but granulated sugar and light corn syrup can also be used.

If you’ve ever done the classic science experiment with baking soda and vinegar, you know that the combination creates an incredibly bubbly «volcano» when the two ingredients combine. This recipe uses the same chemical reaction with the sweet addition of caramelized sugar. The key is to work quickly once the baking soda is added and not to disturb the candy as it pours out of the pan or as it sits, to make sure all the beautiful bubbles remain.

Seafoam candy can be enjoyed on its own or dipped in chocolate. It is also wonderful when crushed and sprinkled on top of ice cream or cakes, or just eaten out of hand.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

• 1 cup dark corn syrup

• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

• 1 tablespoon baking soda

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick foil. Generously grease the foil with cooking spray. Set aside. 

   

3. Use an extra-large heavy saucepan. When the candy foams, it grows significantly in size and needs extra space. (Be on the safe side and use a pan that is larger than you anticipate.)

   Combine the brown sugar, dark corn syrup, and vinegar over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil.

   

4. Once the mixture is boiling, cook without stirring until a candy thermometer reaches 300 F or «hard-crack» stage.

   

5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the baking soda, stirring rapidly.

   

6. The mixture will quickly puff up and begin to foam. Keep stirring just until all of the baking soda has been combined. Work quickly. 

   

7. Immediately pour into the prepared pan. Do not spread the candy, it will naturally spread out on its own in the pan. Do not scrape the mixture from the saucepan, simply allow the candy to pour naturally out of the pan. Some will remain in the pan, but that's OK. Even scraping those last bits from the pan will cause the candy to deflate and fall.

   Allow the candy to cool completely, undisturbed. At this point, if you touch the candy at all, it will pop the air bubbles that give this candy its signature look and texture. 

   

8. Once the candy is cool and set, lift the foil out of the pan. Peel back the foil and break the candy into pieces. 

   

9. Store seafoam candy in jars or an airtight container, and store at room temperature. Any exposure to moisture will soften the candy.