Why You’ll Love this Vegan Candy Corn Recipe
If you’ve ever missed the sweet crunch of candy corn during the fall season, you’ll love this vegan version that’s both delicious and easy to make.
I’ve always enjoyed the nostalgic flavors of candy corn, and this recipe brings that joy back without any animal products. It’s simple to whip up, and the vibrant colors make it perfect for decorating autumn gatherings.
Plus, you can customize the sweetness to your liking! Whether you’re vegan or just looking for a fun treat, this candy corn will satisfy your cravings and impress your friends.
Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
Ingredients of Vegan Candy Corn
Making vegan candy corn is a delightful journey into the world of sweet treats. This recipe not only brings back the classic fall flavors we all know and love, but it also does so without any animal products. The ingredients are pretty straightforward, and if you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, you might just find yourself sneaking a piece or two (or three).
Trust me, once you whip up a batch, you’ll want to share them with friends and family—not just to spread the joy, but to keep yourself from devouring the entire stash in one sitting.
Here’s what you’ll need to gather for your vegan candy corn adventure:
- 1 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup corn syrup
- 5 tablespoons vegan margarine (like Earth Balance)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (feel free to add more if you want it extra vanilla-y)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup powdered soymilk
- 1 pinch of salt
- Yellow food coloring
- Red food coloring
Now, let’s talk about these ingredients a bit. First off, the sugar and corn syrup are what give our candy corn that delightful sweetness. If you’re like me and enjoy a little extra flavor, don’t hesitate to go wild with the vanilla extract.
You want to use vegan margarine, and I recommend Earth Balance because it melts beautifully and tastes fantastic. As for the powdered sugar and powdered soymilk, make sure to sift them well; nobody likes lumpy candy.
And when it comes to the food coloring, you can adjust the amounts to get your desired vibrancy. You might even want to experiment with natural food colorings if you’re feeling adventurous—who knew candy making could also be a science project?
Just remember, the goal is to create that classic candy corn look and taste, so have fun with it!
How to Make Vegan Candy Corn
Making your own vegan candy corn isn’t only a fun project but also a sweet way to treat yourself and others. To kick things off, grab a large saucepan and toss in 1 cup of sugar, 2/3 cup of corn syrup, 5 tablespoons of vegan margarine (I like to use Earth Balance because it melts wonderfully), and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Now, here’s where the magic begins: bring that mixture to a boil over medium heat. Keep stirring occasionally, and after about 5 minutes, you’ll have a bubbling concoction that smells divine. Once it’s ready, take it off the heat.
Next, let’s get to the dry stuff. In a separate bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/3 cup of powdered soymilk, and a pinch of salt. This sifting is essential—lumps in candy aren’t a good look or taste.
Once that’s done, combine this dry mixture with your lovely boiled sugar mixture. Stir it all together until you have a dough-like consistency. Let this sit for about 15 minutes, just until it’s cool enough to handle but still warm, because trust me, you want it to be slightly pliable.
Now comes the fun part! Divide your dough into three equal pieces. One piece stays plain, one gets a cheerful yellow hue with a few drops of yellow food coloring, and the last piece will become a vibrant orange with a mix of yellow and red food coloring.
Knead each piece until smooth; it’s like a mini workout for your hands. Once you’ve got your colors ready, roll them into equal-length ropes—no thinner than 1/4 inch or they might break, and who wants to deal with broken candy?
Place them side by side, with the orange in the center, and gently push them together to form a tricolor slab. Using a sharp knife, make diagonal cuts to create triangles. Round those corners, and voilà! You’ll have candy corn shapes that are a bit more generous than store-bought ones.
Just remember to store them in single layers on parchment paper in an airtight container, or you’ll end up with a sticky mess. Enjoy your homemade vegan candy corn; they really do have a way of bringing back that autumn spirit!
Vegan Candy Corn Substitutions & Variations
Now that you’ve got the basic vegan candy corn recipe down, you might be wondering how to customize it to suit your taste or dietary needs.
You can swap the corn syrup for agave nectar or brown rice syrup for a different sweetness. If you’re avoiding soy, try using almond or coconut milk powder instead of powdered soy milk.
For flavors, feel free to add a dash of cinnamon or almond extract. Want it gluten-free? Just make sure your powdered sugar is certified gluten-free.
Experiment with natural food colorings too, like beet juice for pink or turmeric for yellow. Enjoy creating your unique version!
What to Serve with Vegan Candy Corn
While enjoying your homemade vegan candy corn, consider pairing it with a few complementary treats that enhance its sweet, nostalgic flavor.
I love serving it alongside crunchy popcorn drizzled with vegan chocolate for a delightful contrast. A bowl of mixed nuts adds a savory touch that balances the sweetness perfectly.
You might also try some fresh fruit, like apple slices or grapes, to cleanse the palate. For a festive vibe, include cozy autumn spices like cinnamon or nutmeg in your presentation.
These pairings not only elevate the experience but also create a colorful, inviting spread that everyone will enjoy!
Additional Tips & Notes
To enhance your experience with homemade vegan candy corn, consider a few additional tips.
First, if you want a stronger vanilla flavor, feel free to add more than the recommended teaspoon.
When kneading, wear a pair of gloves to avoid sticky hands.
If the dough cools too quickly, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften.
Experiment with color; adding more food coloring can create vibrant shades.
Finally, store your candy corn in layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Enjoy sharing your creation, and don’t hesitate to get creative with flavors or shapes next time!