Spun Sugar Recipes

SPUN SUGAR

Steps:

• Using masking tape, attach 2 wooden spoons to your work surface, placing them side by side with handles extended over edge. Lightly brush oil over handles. Cover floor with newspaper.
• Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Cook until mixture turns pale amber, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat; transfer pan to ice-water bath. Let cool until slightly thickened (like the consistency of honey), about 1 minute.
• Cut the looped ends of a wire whisk with wire cutters (or use 2 forks held back to back). Dip ends into caramel. From about 2 feet above spoon handles, swing caramel back and forth like a pendulum in long arcs, allowing strands to fall in thin threads over the handles. Immediately gather strands into a loose nest. (If caramel becomes too stiff, gently reheat over low.) Use immediately.

SPUN-SUGAR CROWN

Steps:

• Using masking tape, attach 2 wooden spoons to the counter, placing them side by side with the handles extended over the edge. Lightly oil the handles. Cover floor with newspaper.
• Bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Cook until mixture turns pale amber and registers 300 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool 2 minutes. Stir in beeswax. Let cool, stirring occasionally, until caramel registers 250 degrees.
• Cut the looped ends of a wire whisk with wire cutters (or use 2 forks held back to back). Dip ends into caramel. From about 2 feet above spoon handles, swing caramel back and forth like a pendulum in long arcs, allowing strands to fall in thin threads over the handles. Immediately gather strands into a nest.

SPUN SUGAR FOR CARAMEL APPLES

Steps:

• Cover the work space with parchment paper and the floor with newspaper. Prepare an ice-water bath.
• Place the sugar, 1/2 cup water, and the corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Raise heat to high, and bring mixture to a boil. Continue cooking until the temperature registers 310 degrees (hard-crack stage) on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, and briefly plunge the saucepan into ice water to stop the cooking. Let stand to thicken slightly, about 1 minute. Use immediately.