How to Make Pulled Sugar

Reviewed by Maria Short

Last Updated: July 23, 2024 References

Pulled sugar is a type of candy making process that results in beautiful, opaque pieces with a satin-like sheen. It is most commonly used to make sugar ribbons and bows, but you can sculpt other pieces with it too. The process is advanced, but you can still try it if you are new to candy-making.

Ingredients^{[1]
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1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (270 milliliters) water
5 cups (450 grams) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (35 milliliters) cider vinegar
Candy flavoring oil (optional)
Food coloring paste (optional)

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cooking the Sugar

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Make sure that you use white granulated sugar. Don't use the golden-colored kind. Stir everything together until the sugar has mostly dissolved.
Make sure that the candy thermometer is not touching the bottom of the saucepan. The temperature is very important, so make sure that you use one. You can buy them in the baking section of an arts and crafts store, or wherever cooking supplies are sold.

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Do not stir the sugar while it is cooking, or it will crystallize. From time to time, Wipe the walls of the saucepan with a brush dipped in cold water. This will further prevent the sugar from re-crystallizing on the walls of the saucepan.
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Pour the solution onto silicone baking mats. Set up 3 to 4 silicone baking mats, then distribute the sugar evenly on them. The mat needs to be flexible. You will be using them to help fold the sugar until it cools enough to handle.
- Don't scrape the leftover candy out of the bowl.^{[2]
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Allow the candy to cool before adding any dyes and flavorings.^{[3]
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Research source} Let the candy cool off for a few minutes, then add a few drops of your flavoring oil and/or food coloring right onto the sugar. Stir it in using a wooden skewer and a zigzag motion. Use one color/flavor per mat.
- Do not use liquid food coloring. It won't mix into the sugar properly.
- Match the flavor to the color. Try lemon with yellow, lime with green, cherry with red, etc.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Pulling the Sugar

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Choose a color/flavor to start with and place it under one heat lamp. Place the other mats under a different heat lamps. These lamps will keep the sugar from hardening too fast while you work with it.^{[4]
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Fold the mat around the sugar mound a few times while it cools. Fold the mat in half lengthwise, pressing the sugar in between it. Unfold it, then fold it in half widthwise. Keep folding and unfolding the mat until the sugar starts to clump together and is no longer sticky.^{[5]
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- The mat will stick to the sugar at first. You will have to pull it open hard and fast the first few times.^{[6]
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- Alternatively, you can pull the outer edges of the sugar puddle towards the center until you get a clump.
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Fold and pull the sugar 10 to 20 times. Roll the sugar across the mat with your palm first, then fold it in half. Grab both ends and pull on them. Keep folding and pulling the sugar until it starts to turn opaque and take on a satin-like sheen. Don't overdo it, however, or it will re-crystallize and lose its shine.^{[7]
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- This folding and pulling process will take about 4 to 5 minutes.^{[8]
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Once you have one mat complete, start working on the next one. Keep the pulled sugar under the secondary heat lamp so that it doesn't harden. You can save pace by putting multiple mounds of finished pulled sugar onto a single mat. Leave some space between each mound so that they don't fuse together.
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Shape the sugar as desired. Choose a color to start with, and bring it under your main heating lamp. Pinch, roll, and pull the sugar into your desired shape. Once you are happy with the shape, set it down onto a sheet of wax paper in front of a fan to cool.^{[9]
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- Keep the rest of the sugar under the secondary heat lamp.
- For more sculpting ideas, read on to the next section!

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Shaping the Sugar

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1
Pull two colors together to make ribbons. Place two colors together, side-by-side. Hold them by the ends and pull them apart lengthwise. Cut it in half widthwise. Place the pieces side-by-side again, stretch, and cut. Repeat the process one more time to complete the ribbon.^{[10]
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- Cut the bulky ends off of each ribbon.
- Fold the ribbon to make a bow or a ripple.
- Wrap the ribbon around your finger or a narrow tube to make a spiral.
Pinch off a walnut-sized piece, then roll it into a ball between your palms. Press the ball flat, then shape it into a circle, heart, or oval. Press it onto a lollipop stick, then place it onto a silicone baking mat.^{[11]
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Cut the candy into logs for old fashioned, bite-sized treats. Roll the candy into a ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) thick rope. For extra texture, give the rope a twist. Allow the candy to cool, then break it into 1½-inch (3.81-centimeter) long pieces.^{[12]
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- You can also try cutting the candy with clean kitchen scissors before it cools.^{[13]
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Pull or roll some sugar into a thin ribbon or rope. Wrap it around a light-grease dowel in a spiral, like a candy cane. Allow the sugar to cool, then slide it off of the dowel.^{[14]
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Try a pulled sugar rose for something more advanced. Pull off a small piece and shape it into a square. Roll two diagonal corners inward to make a cone. Pull off more pieces and flatten them into different sized petals. Press the petals against the base of the cone. Form green sugar into a stem, then press the rose on top.^{[15]
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- Start with the smallest petals first, then work your way up to the larger ones.
- Over lap the petals slighter, then pull down on the tips. This will give your rose a realistic touch.
- Make the stem by wrapping a green sugar ribbon around an oiled skewer, then pulling it off.
- If the rose won't stick to the stem, you can set it with a flame.

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Question

If you don't have a silicon mat, what else can you use?

Community Answer

Parchment paper is a very common substitute for silicon baking mats.

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How can I use this on my neck?

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Don't do that.

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Tips

Once you have shaped the sugar, you don't need to keep it under the heat lamp. You can help speed up the cooling process by placing the piece in front of a fan, however.^{[16]
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The vinegar will help prevent the sugar from crystallizing. If you don't have vinegar, try lemon juice instead.^{[17]
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If you don't have a heating lamp, just pull the sugar without it. If the sugar starts to harden, microwave it for a few seconds.^{[18]
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Warnings

Pulled sugar is an advanced technique. It is highly recommended that you take some classes.^{[20]
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Be careful with the sugar. It will be very hot and can burn your skin or give you blisters.^{[21]
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