🍬 Kentucky Cream Pull Candy Recipe
This old-fashioned Kentucky Cream Pull Candy is a beloved Southern tradition, made with simple ingredients and hand-pulled for a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfect for holidays and gifting, this candy is a labor of love that brings generations together in the kitchen.
Equipment
- Heavy-bottom saucepan (3-quart or larger)
- Candy thermometer
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Greased marble slab or baking sheet
- Butter or cooking spray (for greasing hands and surfaces)
- Wax paper
- Metal scissors or sharp knife
- Airtight storage container
- Kitchen gloves (optional but helpful)
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup optional – helps with texture
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or peppermint, bourbon, or almond for flavor variations
- Additional butter or spray for greasing
Instructions
- Prepare tools and workspace:
- Grease your marble slab or baking sheet and gather all tools before starting.
- Cook the base:
- In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cream, butter, and corn syrup (if using). Stir gently over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- Heat to hard-ball stage:
- Insert a candy thermometer and continue cooking without stirring until the mixture reaches 250–255°F (121–124°C).
- Cool slightly:
- Remove from heat and carefully pour onto your greased slab or sheet. Let cool undisturbed for 10–12 minutes, until warm and pliable.
- Start pulling:
- Grease your hands and begin pulling the candy like taffy—stretch and fold repeatedly for 10–15 minutes, until the candy turns creamy white and glossy.
- Add flavoring:
- During the pulling process, knead in vanilla or other flavoring.
- Cut and cool:
- Once the candy stiffens, use scissors or a knife to cut into bite-sized pieces. Let cool completely on parchment or wax paper.
- Wrap and store:
- Wrap each piece in wax paper and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Humidity matters! Only make on dry days for best texture.
Pulling too soon (when the candy is too hot) or not pulling long enough can affect the finish.
Wear gloves if the mixture is too hot for bare hands.
Candy can be tinted or swirled with natural food coloring during the pulling process.
Excellent as a holiday gift in jars or tins.