Easy Vegan Candy Corn Recipe for Halloween Delight
Welcome to my vegan candy corn recipe! As a vegan chef, I’m always looking for ways to make delicious treats that derive animals. That’s why I created this recipe for vegan candy corn that’s not only perfect for Halloween but also suitable for those who follow a vegan diet.
Candy corn is a classic Halloween treat, but it’s known for containing gelatin, which is derived from animals. With my recipe, you can indulge in this nostalgic candy without compromising your values.
In this article, I’ll share with you the step-by-step instructions on how to make vegan candy corn, including the ingredients list, substitutions and variations, serving recommendations, and storing methods.
Whether you’re having a Halloween party or simply want to satisfy your sweet tooth, this vegan candy corn recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a healthier and more ethical alternative to traditional candy. So let’s get started and make some yummy homemade candy corn!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Welcome to my vegan candy corn recipe where you can indulge in delicious treats without compromising your ethical or dietary choices. If you have made the decision to pursue a vegan lifestyle, then this candy corn recipe is perfect for you. Not only is this recipe healthy but it is also plant-based, making it vegan-friendly.
This homemade vegan candy corn recipe is ideal for anyone who is health conscious and wishes to enjoy an occasional sweet treat. Made with organic powdered sugar, tapioca starch, and soymilk, this candy corn recipe provides a healthier alternative to traditional Halloween candies that usually contain animal-derived gelatin.
You’ll love this recipe because it doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture compared to conventional candy. It truly captures the essence of a classic candy corn while staying true to veganism. The combination of coconut oil and vegan margarine works as an excellent substitute for traditional butter, resulting in an outstandingly smooth consistency of the candy. Plus, the sweetness of corn syrup complements the subtle saltiness of salt, providing balance in flavor.
Making this recipe at home also enables you to avoid artificial ingredients and preservatives commonly found in store-bought candy corns. Instead, you will use unprocessed ingredients to create homemade candy that is not only delicious but also healthy.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a healthier version of Halloween treats that is both vegan-friendly and easy-to-make without losing its flavorfulness, then this homemade vegan candy corn recipe is your go-to option.
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make a batch of vegan candy corn:
- Powdered sugar 4 cups
- Corn syrup 1 1/2 cups
- Sugar 1/2 cup
- Soymilk 1/4 cup
- Vegan margarine 5 tbsp
- Salt 1/4 tsp
- Vanilla extract 1 tsp
- Red and yellow food coloring
These ingredients are essential for making vegan candy corn. However, if you want to add your personal touch or restrict some ingredient, check out the next section for substitutions and variations.
The Recipe How-To
Now, let’s delve right into the recipe to create vegan candy corn – that’s right, you can now have a vegan-friendly version of this classic Halloween favorite!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/3 cup vegan margarine
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Food coloring (yellow and orange)
Steps
- Mix together the corn syrup, vegan margarine, vanilla extract, powdered sugar and salt in a mixing bowl using a stand mixer.
- Divide the mixture into three portions. Set one portion aside and add yellow food coloring to another portion until it reaches your desired shade of yellow.
- Transfer the yellow mixture to a separate bowl.
- Add orange food coloring to the remaining mixture that was set aside earlier and mix well using the mixer until it turns into an orangish color. If needed, add more food coloring to achieve your desired shade of orange.
- Line a deep dish with parchment paper and apply some cooking spray on top of it.
- Take the yellow mixture and roll it out into a small log shape with your hands, then flatten it out on top of the lined dish with your palm or rolling pin. Repeat for the orange mixture until they are all layered on top of each other.
- Let the layered mixture cool in the fridge for at least several hours.
- Once set, remove from fridge and score into small triangles with a sharp knife.
- Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.
Now you have successfully learned how to make vegan candy corn! This homemade candy is a perfect addition for any Halloween party or any time you’re craving something sweet but want to derive animals.
Substitutions and Variations
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One of the beautiful things about this Vegan Candy Corn Recipe is how easy it is to make substitutions according to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are some variations to try:
– Swap corn syrup for a healthier option like brown rice syrup or agave syrup. These natural sweeteners will give your candy corn a new flavor and change the texture a bit.
– Use coconut oil instead of vegan margarine to add a different taste and aroma, perfect for coconut lovers.
– Try almond butter or cashew butter instead of vegan margarine for a nutty twist to your candy corn flavors.
– Replace soymilk with any other plant-based milk (almond, rice, oat, etc.) or coconut milk for more creamy richness.
– Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and enhance flavors.
– For homemade candy coloring options, use natural food colorings like beetroot powder for a pinkish effect or turmeric powder to create a yellower tone.
By playing around with ingredients, you can customize your vegan candy corn recipe with minimal effort. Keep in mind that the proportions of dry and wet ingredients have to remain as directed in the recipe, but feel free to experiment with additional flavors and healthy substitutes.
Making homemade candy is such a fun project, especially when it aligns with your vegan diet and ethical values by excluding gelatin or other animal-derived products. You can still enjoy delicious and healthy Halloween treats that are both vegan-friendly and mouth-watering!
Serving and Pairing
As you prepare to indulge in these delicious vegan candy corns, there are a few things to take into consideration for the best experience. These candy corns are perfect for many occasions, but especially Halloween! They’re also great as a snack or dessert on any occasion.
When it comes to pairing, you might want to consider having them with a warm cup of tea or coffee. The candy corns are notoriously sweet and will pair well with bitter beverages. You can also add them to your morning cereal or oatmeal.
Another popular way to enjoy candy corns is to use them in decorating baked goods like cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. They make an excellent choice for creating spooky patterns of ghosts, witches, and pumpkins.
If you’d like to make your serving more decadent, try dipping them in melted vegan chocolate or adding them as a topping on your favorite ice cream flavor. The combination of the creamy texture with the crispy sweetness of the candy corn creates a unique taste sensation that’s hard to resist.
You can also serve these vegan candy corns as part of a mix of other candies at parties. Create colorful displays of different types of candies for your guests to mix and match.
The possibilities are endless! Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and savor every bite as you celebrate delicious, healthy, vegan-friendly candy.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
As a vegan candy lover, I understand the need to indulge in treats that are easy to make ahead of time, store and reheat. Luckily, this vegan candy corn recipe allows for just that! One of the benefits of making your homemade vegan candy is being able to control the ingredients and the storage process.
Once you’ve made your candy corn, the best way to store it is by placing it into an airtight container or plastic bag. You can then keep the container in a cool, dry place at room temperature for up to two weeks. However, if you live in a particularly hot or humid climate, it may be best to store your candy corn in the refrigerator. Just make sure to give it enough time to come back up to room temperature before serving.
If you’re planning on storing your candy corn for longer than two weeks or are worried about it going stale, you can also freeze the candy. Simply place the candy into a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, let it thaw at room temperature before eating.
Reheating your vegan candy corn is simple as well. If your candy has gone slightly stale or is too hard for your liking, you can place it in a microwave-safe dish with a damp paper towel on top and microwave it for 10 seconds intervals until it’s soft enough to enjoy. Alternatively, you can also reheat it in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for 5-7 minutes.
These make-ahead, storing and reheating tips will allow you to fully enjoy this vegan candy corn recipe at any time without sacrificing its incredible flavor and texture.
Tips for Perfect Results
The perfect vegan candy corn is all about timing and precision. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure you get the best results.
1. Work quickly: Once your mixture has reached the correct temperature, it will start to set rapidly. This means you’ll have to work quickly when molding and cutting it into shape.
2. Use a candy thermometer: A candy thermometer is crucial in ensuring that your sugar mixture reaches the right temperature. This is what gives candy corn its smooth texture.
3. Don’t skimp on cream of tartar: Cream of tartar helps create a perfectly smooth texture by preventing crystallization of the sugar syrup.
4. Use powdered sugar: Powdered sugar will give your candy corn a smoother, less grainy texture than granulated sugar.
5. Use vegan margarine: Vegan margarine works just as well as regular butter in this recipe and is a great way to make this recipe 100% vegan.
6. Use tapioca flour or starch: Tapioca flour or starch can be used in place of cornstarch for similar results.
7. Add some salt: A pinch of salt can bring out the sweetness of your candy corn and balance out the flavors.
8. Opt for organic ingredients: When possible, choose organic powdered sugar, corn syrup, and vegan margarine to ensure that you are making the healthiest candy corn possible.
By following these tips, you’ll have perfect vegan candy corn every time!
FAQ
Now that we have covered the detailed steps for making vegan candy corn, it’s time to answer some of the frequently asked questions by our audience. Whether you are a seasoned candy maker or just starting out, we have got you covered with helpful tips and tricks to ensure that your candy corn turns out perfect every time. Let’s dive in!
Is there any vegan candy corn?
Candy corn is not considered to be a vegan-friendly treat.
Is Zachary candy corn vegan?
This particular product does not meet vegan dietary standards, as it contains three ingredients that originate from animals and two ingredients that may or may not be derived from animals depending on their source.
What are the 5 main ingredients in candy corn?
Did you know that candy corn is made up mainly of sugar? Brach’s, which is the biggest producer of candy corn, lists sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s glaze, salt, dextrose, gelatin, sesame oil, artificial flavor, honey, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Red 3 as the ingredients in this popular, colorful treat.
What is the secret ingredient in candy corn?
The hard coating of candy corn is made with an ingredient known as confectioner’s glaze, which is derived from a secretion produced by certain bugs, as reported by USA Today.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the vegan candy corn recipe is a delicious and guilt-free way to enjoy one of the most iconic treats of Halloween season. Making it at home with simple ingredients, you not only get to enjoy a healthy candy alternative but also have control over what goes into your food. With its creamy texture, classic candy corn flavor and beautiful appearance, it’s bound to be a hit among kids and adults alike.
By using easily available vegan substitutes for animal products such as margarine, soymilk and cashew butter, this recipe is cruelty-free and fits perfectly into a vegan diet. It’s also customizable to fit various dietary restrictions by substituting corn syrup or using alternatives such as brown rice syrup.
Moreover, homemade candy can be made in advance and stored for future use making it perfect for Halloween festivities. The possibilities for customizing this recipe with different colors and flavors are endless.
Finally, if you’re looking for a healthy Halloween candy option that far surpasses the store-bought versions in both taste and nutritional value, give this vegan candy corn recipe a try. You won’t regret it!
Vegan Candy Corn Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup corn syrup
- 5 tablespoons vegan margarine (Earth Balance)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I like to use more)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup powdered soymilk
- 1 pinch salt
- yellow food coloring
- red food coloring
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, bring sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and vanilla to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, sift together powdered sugar, powdered soy milk, and salt (It is important to sift in order to remove the lumps from the powdered sugar).
- Add this powder mixture to the boiled sugar mixture, and stir until combined.
- Let this dough-like mixture stand for about 15 minutes, or until cool enough to handle (but still slightly warm).
- Divide the dough into three equal parts. Knead one piece until smooth. Add several drops of yellow food coloring to the second piece and knead until smooth (I found that it took about 8 drops). Add about 6 drops yellow food coloring and 2 drops red to the third piece (to make orange). Knead until smooth and adjust color as necessary. If the dough starts to get too cool/hard to work with, you can microwave it for 10 seconds.
- Roll each piece into ropes of equal length (no thinner than 1/4" or they will break), lay the ropes next to each other (with the orange one in the center) and push together to form one tricolor slab.
- Using a sharp knife, make diagonal cuts across the slab, alternating their angle to make triangles from top and bottom. Round the corners of the triangles to make candy corn shapes; they'll be a bit larger than the store-bought kind.
- The recipe should yield at least 100 pieces, and they'll stay fresh for quite some time. Store in single layers on parchment paper in an airtight container (if you just throw them in a bowl, they will stick together).
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.