Dalgona Candy or Korean Honeycomb Toffee is made using sugar and baking soda! This Dalgona Candy has taken over the Internet by the popularity of the Netflix show “Squid Game.”
Made with 2 ingredients, and gets done in 5 minutes! It has a taste and consistency like a honeycomb. Hence, it is also called “honeycomb toffee”.
The tandoor oven imparts a unique char and smokiness to meats and bread, perfect for exotic Indian flavors.
Table of contents
About Squid Game and Dalgona Candy
In South Korea, street vendors (ppopgi vendors) have been selling this Korean Sugar Candy for many decades. It was so popular in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s also known as “honeycomb toffee” due to its taste and consistency.
Squid Game, premiered in September 2021, is an extremely goose-bumping show that has many iconic moments. In one of the episodes of the show, there is a dalgona candy (honeycomb toffee) challenge where contestants play their nostalgic childhood “honeycomb” game.
In the game, players carve the shape stamped into a brittle dalgona candy (aka ppopgi) in just 10 minutes, just by using a needle. And if the player breaks the dalgona without cutting the complete shape, they get eliminated (from life).
A lot of TikTokers are paying homage to “Squid Game” by challenging themselves to play this game of breaking dalgona candy. They also call it “Toffee Game”.
Players used a needle to break dalgona candy in the show, but Tiktok users also used toothpicks to carve shapes in the cookie.
The show is interesting and so is this challenge. Not to mention, making the dalgona candy is an affair in itself. I wanted to experience the process of making it. So I couldn’t resist myself from making this very popular Dalgona Candy.
Similarly I also made Dalgona Coffee last year when it went viral.
About This Recipe
Making Dalgona Candy is simple yet slightly tricky, and it comes together in less than 5 minutes. If you follow the steps exactly, then I can assure you can achieve great results. It is very important to know that this is a laborious task.
To make dalgona, you need to do some arm work. Knowing the perfect timing, and having patience all the time while making dalgona is a key to success.
It’s a piece of art, and you are not a true artist until you can make the perfect dalgona candy. And once you have mastered the art of making perfect dalgona candy, you will be over the moon. A perfect dalgona has a caramel-like taste, smooth texture, and toffee-like crunch.
On this page, I have shared some important tips and tricks to make Dalgona which I have learned from my trials and errors. If you follow these tips, then making dalgona is a breeze.
What is Dalgona?
Dalgona (aka ppopgi) is made with sugar and baking soda. Another common name of this candy is honeycomb toffee. This sugar treat is also known as “Korean sugar candy.” People have been relishing this candy for over 50 years in Korea.
It is made in many Korean cities and is a very popular treat amongst kids.
Dalgona is made by melting sugar in small ladles over low heat to make a golden syrup. Then, this golden syrup is mixed with a little baking soda to create a light and fluffy caramel-colored whipped cream kind texture.
In the last step, it is set on a flat surface and flattened with a dalgona kit, or any flat bottomed pan, bowl, or dish.
Dalgona Vs. Ppopgi
Nowadays dalogna and ppopgi are the same name for candy. But technically they both are different types of candies. Ppopgi is made with plain white sugar and glucose solids are used to make dalgona.
The candy is brittle, thus it breaks easily. That renders it a very tough challenge.
If you love Korean Food, then you might also want to check out this amazing Korean Strawberry Milk.
How To Make Korean Candy (Dalgona)?
Making Dalgona Candy is simple and can be done in 3 simple steps!
Step 1 Melting sugar: Add 2-3 tablespoons of granulated sugar in a small ladle. Stir continuously (to avoid crystallization) and melt it over low heat until it is completely melted and turns amber in color.
Step 2 Adding Baking Soda: Then add in some baking soda and stir vigorously until it turns light and fluffy.
Step 3 Setting the candy: After that, pour this candy mixture onto parchment paper, and flatten it with a flat pan or cup. Thereafter, stamp it with the desired cookie cutter shape of your choice. Let it cool to set, and enjoy!
On this page, you will get step by step photo recipe and video instructions to make easy and simple Dalgona Candy at home in just 5 minutes.
Squid Game Dalgona Candy Ingredients
Dalgona candy is made with 2 ingredients:
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Granulated sugar
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Baking soda
Dalgona Korean Candy Taste
Dalgona is a caramel-colored sweet candy with mild caramel flavors. It tastes like caramel and has a light, brittle and airy texture similar to honeycomb candy.
How to Enjoy Dalgona Candy
You can relish Dalgona right after it cools down. When crushed, this candy also makes a nice topping for your popcorn, ice creams, and frozen yogurts. This candy also tastes great in milk or coffee.
Dalgona Challenge
If making this candy for a dalgona challenge, then you can either break the cooled candy around the indentation. If you want a smooth perfection, then you can dip the needle in hot water and then use it to break the candy around the edges of the cookie stamp.
It cuts the cookie shape perfectly without breaking.
Storage:
To store, let the dalgona cool completely. Once cooled, place it in a ziplock bag and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days.
On this page, I have also shared a Dalgona candy recipe in a ladle and in a microwave.
Dalgona candy tools
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Stainless steel or a non-stick ladle for melting sugar.
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A spoon or a spatula to scrape down the dalgona mixture from the ladle.
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Baking sheet, or pan lined with parchment paper.
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A flat pan or cup to press.
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Desired cookie cutter.
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Chopstick or a popsicle stick for stirring.
Important Tips, and tricks for Making perfect Dalgona Candy
Cooking temperature: You can melt sugar over low or medium-low heat. But don’t melt the sugar on high or medium heat as it tends to burn quickly.
Stirring: Keep stirring continuously to avoid crystallization and burning. Make sure to melt the sugar until all crystals are completely gone and you get a liquid syrup.
Storage: Dalgona becomes sticky when stored in a hot or humid environment. So make sure to store it in a cool and dry place.
If your sugar begins to burn, use a sweeping motion instead of holding your pan steady over the flame.
Spray with oil: I don’t spray my work surface with oil. But if you want to play safe, then you can also spray the parchment paper and tools like flat cups and cookie cutters with oil.
Timing: Perfect timing is very crucial here. Melted sugar sets so quickly, So after the mixture turns foamy, you need to pour the cookie mixture immediately. Wait for just 30 seconds and then press with a flat pan/cup for 10 seconds.
You can press the warm candy for 10 more seconds. After that, press with your favorite cookie cutter only for 10 seconds.
Get everything ready: This candy sets fast, so you will not have time to prepare your work surface once the sugar is melted. To save the cookie from ruining, keep everything ready beforehand.
Tools: You need a simple ladle to make this dalogna. Either you can use a steel ladle or a non-stick ladle. If you don’t have a ladle then you can use a small saucepan or skillet. For flattening, you can use anything that has a flat bottom.
Act fast: After adding baking soda, remove the ladle from heat and stir for 10 minutes. Then put it back on the heat and stir vigorously until the mixture is pale and foamy.
Hot water: If you are planning to make more than 1 dalgona candy then you can either use a pan or simply keep a pan with hot boiling water on the stove. As soon as you pour the dalgona candy mixture, place it in the hot water. This will remove all the residues.
Once cleaned, wipe it off with a kitchen towel and your ladle is ready for the next dalgona.
Dalgona Candy (Step-by-step photo instructions)
How to Make Dalgona Candy
- Perpetration: Line a work surface of a baking sheet with parchment paper. Keep it aside. Also, collect the cookie cutters and flat pan for pressing.
- Melt sugar: Add the 2 tablespoons sugar to a ladle or a small skillet and then hold it over low heat. Stir with a chopstick and melt until sugar melts completely and changes to golden color. It would take about 3-4 minutes to completely liquidize 2 tablespoons of sugar, so be patient.
- Stir continuously: If you keep stirring, then the sugar will start to crystalize first, and this way it will get heat evenly. You need to keep stirring to also prevent it from burning. If you think, sugar is about to burn the remove the ladle from the heat and keep stirring. Once it is cold, put it back on the heat source and stir. Keep doing it until is done.
- Once the sugar is melted and you have a syrup without the crystals, then add baking soda and remove it from the while stirring. Stir for 10 seconds and then put the ladle back on the heat and stir vigorously until the mixture has turned lightly golden, airy, fluffy, and pale. Make sure you don’t add too much baking soda, or else it will burn quickly and will make dalgona bitter.
- Setting Candy: Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, then wait for 30 seconds. After that press with the metal cup, non-stick pan, or a stainless steel pot for 10 seconds. Move the pan away and then press again for 10 seconds.
- Create a pattern in the candy: Now press firmly the centre of the candy with a cookie cutter for about 10 seconds and then remove it. This way you will have a nice pattern.
- Let the dalgona candy cool for about 1-2 minutes or until it hardens. Once cooled, remove the candy from the parchment paper and enjoy.
Make Dalgona Candy in a Microwave:
- Add 2.5 tablespoons of sugar and 1.5 tablespoons of water to a paper cup or microwave-safe mug. Stir well to dissolve.
- Microwave mixture for about 2 minute and 30 seconds or as required. My microwave is 800 WATTS.
- Once the golden syrup is ready, take it out from the microwave and add baking soda. Whisk immediately until the mixture is light caramel-colored and fluffy. Pour it on parchment paper and wait for 30 seconds. Then press it with a flat disc for about 10 seconds. Do it 1-2 times more. Now press the candy with a cookie cutter and remove it after 10 seconds.
- Let it cool to set. Once set, remove the hardened candy from the paper and enjoy.
Recipe Card
Dalgona Candy [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 3 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mins | ||
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
| Snacks | Asian | 1 candy |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 90 calories | 1 |
INGREDIENTS
For Dalgona Candy
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 to 1 pinch of baking soda
For Dalgona Candy in a Microwave
- 2.5 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1.5 tablespoons water
- 1/2 to 1 pinch of baking soda
INSTRUCTIONS:
How to Make Dalgona Candy
- Perpetration: Line a work surface of a baking sheet with parchment paper. Keep it aside. Also, collect the cookie cutters and flat pan for pressing.
- Melt sugar: Add the 2 tablespoons sugar to a ladle or a small skillet and then hold it over low heat. Stir with a chopstick and melt until sugar melts completely and changes to golden color. It would take about 3-4 minutes to completely liquidize 2 tablespoons of sugar, so be patient.
- Stir continuously: If you keep stirring, then the sugar will start to crystalize first, and this way it will get heat evenly. You need to keep stirring to also prevent it from burning. If you think, sugar is about to burn the remove the ladle from the heat and keep stirring. Once it is cold, put it back on the heat source and stir. Keep doing it until is done.
- Once the sugar is melted and you have a syrup without the crystals, then add baking soda and remove it from the while stirring. Stir for 10 seconds and then put the ladle back on the heat and stir vigorously until the mixture has turned lightly golden, airy, fluffy, and pale. Make sure you don’t add too much baking soda, or else it will burn quickly and will make dalgona bitter.
- Setting Candy: Immediately pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, then wait for 30 seconds. After that press with the metal cup, non-stick pan, or a stainless steel pot for 10 seconds. Move the pan away and then press again for 10 seconds.
- Create a pattern in the candy: Now press firmly the centre of the candy with a cookie cutter for about 10 seconds and then remove it. This way you will have a nice pattern.
- Let the dalgona candy cool for about 1-2 minutes or until it hardens. Once cooled, remove the candy from the parchment paper and enjoy.
Make Dalgona Candy in a Microwave:
- Add 2.5 tablespoons of sugar and 1.5 tablespoons of water to a paper cup or microwave-safe mug. Stir well to dissolve.
- Microwave mixture for about 2 minute and 30 seconds or as required. My microwave is 800 WATTS.
- Once the golden syrup is ready, take it out from the microwave and add baking soda. Whisk immediately until the mixture is light caramel-colored and fluffy. Pour it on parchment paper and wait for 30 seconds. Then press it with a flat disc for about 10 seconds. Do it 1-2 times more. Now press the candy with a cookie cutter and remove it after 10 seconds.
- Let it cool to set. Once set, remove the hardened candy from the paper and enjoy.
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NOTES:
- Keep stirring continuously to avoid crystallization and burning. Make sure to melt the sugar until all crystals are completely gone and you get a liquid syrup.
- After adding baking soda, remove the ladle from heat and stir for 10 minutes. Then put it back on the heat and stir vigorously until the mixture is pale and foamy.
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/dalgona-candy/