Dandy Candy

Sweeten up the Fourth with a recipe that everyone in the family can lend a hand with--a batch of tricolored saltwater taffy to stretch, twist and savor.

TRICOLORED SALTWATER TAFFY

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup water
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vegetable glycerine (sold at most party or natural food stores)
2 tbsp. butter
4 drops each of red and blue food coloring
2 tsp. lemon juice

In a large saucepan, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, water, salt and glycerine with a wooden spoon. Cook over medium heat, stirring now and then until a candy thermometer reads 255 degrees. Stir in the butter. Divide the mixture into three equal portions. Mix red food coloring into one batch, blue into another and leave one plain. Pour each batch onto a greased flat pan and fold over the edges with a spatula to keep them from hardening.

When the candy is cool enough to handle, brush with lemon juice. Then, with well-buttered hands, each child can stretch one of the batches into a long rope until elastic (about five minutes). Finally, twist together the ropes, cut into pieces and wrap individually in waxed paper.

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