Dreamy Kentucky Cream Pull Candy Recipe: Silky-Smooth Magic

Sweet whispers of tradition dance through southern kitchens with this kentucky cream pull candy that promises pure sugary bliss.

Generations of cooks have passed down this delectable confection from one family to another.

The smooth, creamy texture melts effortlessly on your tongue, creating a nostalgic experience of homemade delight.

Crafted with simple ingredients and patience, this candy transforms ordinary moments into sweet memories.

Rich butter and sugar combine in a mesmerizing culinary ritual that requires skill and gentle hands.

Prepare to be enchanted by a treat that connects you directly to Kentucky’s rich culinary heritage.

Roll up your sleeves and let the candy-making magic begin.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 155 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients That Make Kentucky Cream Pull Candy Shine

• Heavy Cream: Creates rich, smooth texture and balances sweetness with creamy undertones.
• Sugar: Provides essential sweetness and helps develop candy's signature crystalline structure.
• Butter: Adds luxurious depth, enhances flavor, and contributes to smooth candy consistency.

• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic notes that elevate the candy's overall taste profile.
• Salt: Balances sweetness, amplifies flavor complexity, and rounds out the candy's character.

• Butter (For Hands): Prevents sticking during pulling process and ensures smooth candy manipulation.

Tools That Help With Pulling Candy Like a Pro

• Candy Thermometer: Essential for precise temperature monitoring during sugar cooking.
• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for cooking sugar, cream, and butter mixture.
• Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: Great for constant stirring and preventing sugar burning.
• Large Cutting Board: Ideal surface for pulling and stretching candy.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to cut candy into bite-sized pieces.
• Butter or Cooking Spray: Used to grease hands and prevent sticking during pulling process.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Make Kentucky Cream Candy the Traditional Way

• Prepare Sugar Mixture

Grab a medium saucepan and blend heavy cream, sugar, and butter. Heat the concoction over medium flame, stirring continuously until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles. Allow it to simmer for 5-10 minutes, watching for the perfect soft ball stage around 234-240 degrees.

• Cool and Season

Take the pan off heat and stir in vanilla and a dash of salt. Let the mixture rest until it’s comfortably warm to touch.

• Transform the Candy

Grease your hands and start stretching the candy. Pull and fold repeatedly, working the mixture until it becomes lustrous and resistant to stretching. Thisal process might take 10-15 minutes, so channel your patience.

• Shape and Serve

Once the candy looks glossy and thick, craft long elegant ropes. Slice into delectable bite-sized pieces. Allow the candy to cool completely before diving into its sweet goodness.

Flavor Tips and Texture Tweaks for Pull Candy

• Work quickly and wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands during the pulling process. Keep your movements smooth and consistent to achieve an even texture.
• Use a reliable candy thermometer to ensure accurate temperature reading during the soft ball stage. Even a few degrees can significantly impact the candy's final consistency.
• Store Kentucky cream pull candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Layer pieces between wax paper to prevent sticking.
• Experiment with different extract variations like almond, peppermint, or maple to create unique flavor profiles. Add a few drops carefully to maintain the candy's delicate texture.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. Dairy-free alternatives can be attempted using coconut cream, though the texture might slightly change.

Serve These Sweet Pulls at Holiday Tables or as Gifts

• Sweet Gathering Centerpiece: Arrange the pulled candy on a beautiful vintage platter with delicate doilies for an elegant dessert display that catches everyone's eye.
• Gifting Delight: Package small batches of the candy in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine or ribbons, perfect for homemade edible gifts during holidays or special occasions.
• Tea Time Companion: Serve these delectable candy pieces alongside hot tea or coffee, creating a nostalgic Southern-style dessert experience that brings warmth and sweetness to the moment.
• Dessert Cheese Board Accent: Incorporate the pulled candy as a unique sweet element on a dessert cheese board, adding texture and a classic Kentucky confectionery touch to your spread.

Store in Wrappers or Boxes to Keep It Soft and Sweet

• Spread pulled candy on a buttered baking sheet to speed up cooling process and prevent sticking, ensuring smooth candy texture.
• Store Kentucky cream pull candy in an airtight container between parchment paper layers, keeping pieces separated and preventing clumping for up to one week at room temperature.
• Shield candies from humidity by placing silica gel packets inside storage container, maintaining crisp texture and preventing softening during storage.
• Keep candy away from direct sunlight and warm areas, storing in cool, dry spot to maintain original glossy appearance and prevent potential melting or texture changes.

FAQs

• What is the soft ball stage in candy making?

The soft ball stage is when sugar syrup reaches 234F-240F, forming a soft, pliable ball when dropped into cold water that flattens when removed.

• Why do I need to butter my hands when pulling the candy?

Buttering your hands prevents the hot candy from sticking and burning your skin while making the pulling process smoother and easier.

• How do I know when the candy is ready to be pulled?

The candy is ready when it has cooled enough to handle but is still warm, typically after 5-10 minutes of cooling from the initial boiling.

• What happens during the pulling process of the candy?

Pulling aerates the candy, creating a lighter texture, making it shinier, and helping it develop a smooth, silky consistency by incorporating air and cooling the mixture.

Smooth Kentucky Cream Pull Candy Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Kentucky Cream Pull Candy celebrates classic Appalachian confectionery with rich, silky strands pulled to glossy perfection. Nostalgic sweetness and traditional craftsmanship invite you to savor a delightful slice of Southern culinary heritage.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) light corn syrup
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract (or peppermint extract for a minty variation)
• 1/8 tsp (0.6 ml) baking soda
• Butter (for greasing hands and surfaces)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine heavy cream, sugar, and butter in a medium saucepan, stirring gently over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture becomes uniform.
2. Boiling Stage: Continue heating, carefully monitoring temperature until mixture reaches soft ball stage (234-240°F), stirring consistently for 5-10 minutes to prevent scorching.
3. Flavor Integration: Remove from heat, swiftly incorporate vanilla extract and salt, then allow mixture to cool briefly until comfortably handleable.
4. Pulling Technique: Liberally butter hands to prevent adhesion, then initiate the candy pulling process by rhythmically stretching and folding the mixture with deliberate, consistent motions.
5. Texture Transformation: Persist with pulling method, observing the gradual metamorphosis from liquid to glossy, resilient candy substance that becomes increasingly resistant to manipulation.
6. Shaping and Cutting: Once the candy develops a luminous, firm consistency after 10-15 minutes of dedicated pulling, carefully elongate into slender, symmetrical ropes and slice into delicate bite-sized segments using a sharp implement.
7. Cooling and Setting: Position freshly crafted candies at room temperature, allowing complete cooling and enabling the development of their signature smooth, creamy texture before presentation.

Notes

• Butter Hands Wisely: Liberally coat hands with butter before pulling candy to prevent scorching and sticky residue during the stretching process.
• Temperature Watch: Use a candy thermometer for precise soft ball stage measurement between 234-240°F, ensuring perfect candy consistency without burning.
• Pulling Technique Matters: Maintain consistent, rhythmic stretching motions during the 10-15 minute pulling phase to develop the signature glossy, smooth texture.
• Storage Secret: Store pulled candies in an airtight container at room temperature, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 138
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0.3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg