7. Learn how to make sponge candy

Sponge candy, or seafoam candy as it is also known, has been a favorite of my mother's for about forever. It is an old-fashioned candy and is hard to find at stores, but my mom likes to buy it whenever she sees it. Because of its rarity (and it's unique melt-in-your-mouth texture) it has always felt special to me, so I have learned to love it too.

My mom always told me that growing up, her and her sisters used to make sponge candy and that she still had the recipe. I've always thought it would be fun to make it with my mom... what better reason to add it to my 30 before 30 list?

So we found the faded recipe in my mom's recipe box and we discovered that the candy is actually very easy to make! It only requires 4 ingredients... well, plus chocolate... so I guess that's 5 ingredients!

Even though candy can sometimes be a bit intimidating to make, don't be intimidated by this recipe! You will need a candy thermometer to make sure you heat the ingredients to the right temperature, but it's really not too fussy at all. Plus it took less than 10 minutes of stirring to get the mixture up to temperature.

These turned out perfect. Just like we hoped.

A sweet, caramelized sugar flavor that just melts in your mouth. Yum.

The only change I would make to the recipe is in regards to the chocolate. We poured the chocolate on top of the candy mixture after it had cooled in the pan. It seemed fine at first, but when we began breaking the candy up into small pieces, much of the chocolate popped off and separated from the candy. Next time, I intend to break the candy up into bite-sized pieces first. Then I will dip them each in chocolate and let them harden on a piece of parchment. But despite the chocolate-falling-off problem, these were still delicious.

And a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with my ever-so-sweet mother. :)

P.S. Wouldn't this be so cute packaged up for Valentine's Day??

Seafoam Candy / Sponge Candy

1 cup sugar

1 cup white syrup (light corn syrup)

1 tablespoon vinegar

3/4 tablespoon baking soda

Boil the sugar, syrup and vinegar to 300 degrees F or hard-crack stage, stirring constantly. Take off burner and stir in 3/4 tablespoon soda. Stir well. Pour into buttered pan (or line with parchment paper for even easier removal) and after cool, coat with melted chocolate. (Or, break into bite sized pieces and then dip in melted chocolate.)