Fruity pulled candy licorice ropes are chewy, brightly flavored candy strands made from a cooked sugar syrup that you stretch and pull until it turns glossy, then roll into long ropes and cut into pieces.
The recipe uses only pantry ingredients plus unsweetened powdered drink mix for flavor and color, and it makes about ten servings. It takes some patience and careful handling, but the result is a fun project for older kids and adults.
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Why This Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes Recipe Works
Cooking the syrup to a precise temperature controls the texture, so the candy turns out chewy and pliable rather than hard or sticky.
Pulling the warm candy folds air into it, which changes the color and creates the glossy, slightly opaque finish that makes licorice ropes look professional.
Unsweetened powdered drink mix adds fruit flavor and tangy acid in one step, so there is no need for oils, extracts, or special candy supplies.
Ingredients for Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes
- You need one cup of granulated sugar, a quarter cup of light corn syrup, a quarter cup of water, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and half a teaspoon of salt. Flavor comes from two packets of unsweetened powdered fruit drink mix.
- Two tablespoons of cornstarch dust the work surface and the finished ropes, and a little neutral oil keeps your hands from sticking. A candy thermometer is essential for accuracy.
Granulated sugar. It forms the base of the candy and sets into a chewy texture when cooked to the right stage.
Light corn syrup. It prevents sugar crystals from forming, which keeps the candy smooth.
Lemon juice. A small amount of acid helps stop crystallizing and brightens the flavor.
Powdered drink mix. It adds fruit flavor and color without extra liquid.
Cornstarch. It keeps the cooled ropes from sticking to the counter and to each other.
How to Make Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes
1. Cook the syrup. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, water, lemon juice, and salt in a medium saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring.
2. Reach the temperature. Boil the mixture without stirring until a candy thermometer reads 255 F, which takes about fifteen minutes.
3. Add the flavor. Remove the pan from the heat and quickly stir in the drink mix until smooth.
4. Pour and cool. Pour the candy onto a lightly oiled, cornstarch dusted baking sheet and let it cool for about ten minutes until it is warm enough to touch but still pliable.
5. Pull and shape. With oiled hands or gloves, stretch and fold the candy until glossy, roll it into half inch ropes, cut them into lengths, dust with cornstarch, and let them firm up for one hour.
How to Serve Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes
Serve the ropes in a jar or a small bag, or tie several together for a candy bouquet. They make a fun addition to a dessert table beside vanilla sugar cookies and iced brownies. For other sweet projects try cinnamon sugar cookies or fried marshmallows.
How to Store and Reheat Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes
Keep the ropes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, with parchment paper between layers and a light dusting of cornstarch. Humidity makes the candy sticky, so store it away from the stove. Do not refrigerate it, because moisture will make the surface tacky.
Tips and Variations for Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes
Flag the allergens. Powdered drink mixes can contain artificial colors and other additives, so check the label for allergens.
Do not taste raw. Do not taste the syrup while it is hot, because boiling sugar causes severe burns.
Protect your hands. Let the candy cool for ten minutes before touching it, and use oiled gloves for pulling.
Watch the temperature. Even five degrees changes the texture, so check your thermometer in boiling water before starting.
Do not stir. Once the sugar dissolves, stirring can cause crystals that make the candy grainy.
Work quickly. The candy sets as it cools, so pull and shape it before it stiffens.
Supervise children. This is an adult task for the hot stages, and children can help with rolling and cutting once the candy is cool.
Check trusted guidance. See the Texas AgriLife Extension food safety guide for kitchen safety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes
What Are Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes?
They are chewy sugar candy ropes flavored with fruit drink mix, stretched until glossy and cut into pieces.
Why Are My Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes Hard?
The syrup was likely cooked past 255 F, so use a thermometer and pull the pan off the heat right away.
How Long Do Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes Stay Fresh?
They keep for up to two weeks in an airtight container with a light cornstarch coating.
Is this real licorice?
No, it is a fruit flavored chewy candy shaped like licorice, with no anise or black licorice flavor.
Can I use food coloring?
Yes, add a few drops with the drink mix for a deeper color.
Fruity Pulled Candy Licorice Ropes
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Candy thermometer
- Baking sheet
- Kitchen scissors
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 2 packets unsweetened powdered fruit drink mix
- 2 tbsp cornstarch for dusting
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
Cooking
- Cook. Stir the sugar, corn syrup, water, lemon juice, and salt over medium heat until dissolved.
- Boil. Boil without stirring to 255 F on a candy thermometer.
- Flavor. Off the heat, stir in the drink mix.
- Cool. Pour onto an oiled, dusted pan and cool 10 minutes.
- Pull. Pull with oiled hands, roll into ropes, cut, and dust with cornstarch.
