Candy preferences dramatically vary across the United States, with popular brands such as M&Ms, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Starbursts topping the list.

And OHS students seem to concur, identifying Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as their clear favorite, followed by Kits Kats and Twix.

Big-brand candy is all well and good, what if I told you that you could make your own candies completely from scratch? Homemade adaptations of candies such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Kit Kats are not only fun to make, but arguably even more delicious than their commercially-produced counterparts.

Following is a recipe for homemade candy corn, lightly adapted from the Kitchn.

Ingredients

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons nonfat powdered milk
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Red and yellow liquid food coloring

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the powdered sugar, nonfat powdered milk, and salt.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set this near the stove
3. Measure the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and butter into a medium-sized saucepan.
4. Heat over medium-high heat, swirling occasionally until the mixture reaches 245°F to 250°F, about 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from the heat, and carefully whisk in the vanilla, being aware that the mixture will bubble and foam.
6. Pour onto the prepared parchment-lined pan and allow to cool until cold enough to touch.
7. Divide into three sections.
8. Make a shallow well in the center of one third and carefully pour 10 drops of yellow liquid food coloring into the hole. Fold the rest of the dough around this well and knead until the color is evenly distributed. I find that if you wash your hands with warm water immediately after coating them in dye, the color washes right off – but still use your judgement!
9. Repeat this process with one of the remaining thirds to make orange, coloring it with 7 drops yellow and 3 drops red.
10. Pinch off a quarter of the white third, and roll into a long snake about a ¼ inch across. Repeat this process with the orange and yellow thirds, and place the logs next to each other
11. Roll over with a rolling pin to seal.
12. Using a bench scraper or knife, cut the candy strip into triangles.
13. Repeat steps 10 through 12 three more times, using the remaining candy dough.
14. Allow the corn to dry for at least an hour before eating! Be warned that they will be very sticky–but still very delicious!

If you make this recipe, please share your feedback in the comments.