From Dalgona Coffee to Dalgona Candy: A Sweet Journey
Did you love Dalgona Coffee? I bet you will also fall in love with this DALGONA CANDY, also known as honeycomb toffee, sponge toffee, golden crunchers, puff candy, seafoam, or hokey pokey. Whatever name you call it, this sugar candy is simple yet so delicious.
During the pandemic, Dalgona Coffee took the internet by storm. The whipped coffee sensation became a comforting trend for many coffee lovers. Now, imagine combining that hit viral recipe with another delightful treat—Dalgona Candy. This was a viral recipe video on YouTube and TikTok that made everyone try to make it. It may look simple to make because of the few ingredients, but you can't perfect it in just one try. Coffee lovers and those with a sweet tooth will surely enjoy this!
What is Dalgona Candy?
Dalgona (달고나) is a Korean candy made with melted sugar and baking soda, originating from South Korea. It is a popular street snack from the 1960s, and is still eaten as a retro food. When a pinch of baking soda is mixed into melted sugar, the thermal decomposition of the baking soda releases carbon dioxide, which makes the liquidized sugar puff up and become a light and crunchy candy once cooled and hardened.
Typically, the creamy beige liquid is poured on a flat surface, pressed flat, and stamped using a cookie cutter, giving off the image on the candy, such as a star or a heart. Consumers try to trim their way around the outline on the snack without breaking the picture as a challenge. Traditionally, if this trimming is completed without breaking the candy, the consumer receives another free dalgona from the seller.
Recipe Video:
How to Make Dalgona Candy
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions:
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Gather all your ingredients and have them measured out and ready to go.
Heat the Sugar Mixture:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the white sugar, water, and corn syrup.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to boil.
Cook the Mixture:
- Allow the mixture to boil without stirring until it reaches a light amber color. This should take around 5-7 minutes, but keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
Add the Baking Soda:
- Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly whisk in the baking soda. Be prepared for the mixture to foam up and expand rapidly.
Shape the Candy:
- Immediately pour the foamy mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or silicone mat.
- Use a lightly greased spatula to press the mixture flat.
- Optionally, use a cookie cutter to imprint shapes onto the candy while it's still pliable.
Cool and Harden:
- Let the candy cool and harden completely before breaking it into pieces.
Enjoy Your Dalgona Candy:
- Once cooled, enjoy your homemade dalgona candy or use it as a delightful topping for your dalgona coffee!
Tips for Perfect Dalgona Candy:
- Consistency: The key to perfect dalgona candy is in the timing. Make sure to remove the sugar mixture from heat as soon as it reaches the right color.
- Stirring: Stirring constantly at the beginning helps dissolve the sugar, but once it starts boiling, avoid stirring to prevent crystallization.
- Quick Work: Adding the baking soda will cause the mixture to foam up quickly, so work fast to pour and shape the candy before it hardens.
The Dalgona Coffee and Candy Combo
Imagine the magic of Dalgona Coffee's frothy, whipped coffee on top of iced milk, combined with the crunchy sweetness of Dalgona Candy. This combination creates a unique sensory experience—a balance of bitter and sweet, smooth and crunchy. It's no wonder this combo has become a viral recipe video, inspiring many to try their hand at making it.
Why Did Dalgona Coffee Become an Instant Hit?
The success of Dalgona Coffee can be attributed to its simplicity and visual appeal. With just three ingredients—instant coffee, sugar, and water—anyone could create a café-style drink at home. The process of whipping the coffee into a thick, creamy froth was oddly satisfying and made for perfect social media content.
The Viral Rise of Dalgona Candy
Dalgona Candy also gained international fame, especially after appearing in the Netflix series Squid Game. In one episode, the candy became part of a deadly challenge, sparking curiosity and nostalgia. The show’s success led to a revival of the candy's popularity in South Korea and a surge in interest worldwide. Sales doubled for dalgona street vendors as foreigners became more interested in the candy. People have also taken to social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube to make their own candy at home as a challenge and as a cooking recipe.
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