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Homemade Tootsie Rolls

Categories Dairy free, Dessert, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Vegan/Vegetarian

These homemade tootsie rolls are fun to make and my kids love helping me roll them out and playing with them, they are almost like edible and delicious play dough or silly puddy. They taste like a real chocolate tootsie roll and you can roll them into whatever shape you want.

If you are a chocolate fan you can add even more cocoa powder for a stronger chocolate flavor. The recipe below is designed to taste like a brand name tootsie roll. If you want to make a vanilla or any other fruit tootsie you can leave out the cocoa powder and add in whatever flavoring you desire with a pinch of citric acid for fruit flavors. You could also use this as a fondant-like cake covering if desired.

A few tips for this recipe, if you go beyond the hard ball stage in cooking the sugar mixture you can reverse the cooking process by a few degrees by quickly adding a little water then stirring. I have saved many candy batches by doing this. However, there is a point of no return if the sugar starts to burn so keep that in mind.

Another tip is to make sure you spray your parchment paper with oil. Parchment paper starts working at a hot temperature and this mixture will not activate it’s non-stick feature fully, the spray helps to avoid a sticky situation. If you do end up with some mixture sticking, you can let it cool completely or stick it in the freezer for a minute to help it release from the paper.

Lastly, be careful with the hot sugar mixture, remember it sticks to anything it touches and it will burn your fingers if it sticks to them. Quickly run your hand under cold water if you get some on it and it will help it release from your skin. I do the cooking parts of this recipe with no kids around then I have them come help me roll the tootsies out when the mixture has cooled to a safe temperature.

What you need to make homemade tootsie rolls:

Makes about 20 medium tootsie rolls

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla – divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • cooking spray
  • parchment paper

Instructions

  1. In a medium pot, add sugar, corn syrup, water, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and salt and bring to a boil.
  2. Using a candy thermometer heat and stir mixture until it hits 240 F. or just below hard ball stage. If doing the cold water test, drop a spoon full of sugar mixture into cold water and feel the mixture with your fingers, when it gets to a mostly firm ball, it’s perfect.
  3. Remove from heat and add cocoa powder and remaining 1 teaspoons vanilla extract and stir until smooth.
  4. Grease a piece of parchment paper and pour mixture onto it.
  5. Allow to cool then sprinkle with powdered sugar as you knead the mixture.
  6. Let mixture set for a minute, the mixture will thicken and feel hard, don’t worry it’s not ruined! Smash the mixture in your hands and it will soften after a few squeezes. Roll into individual pieces, wrap in small parchment paper pieces and twist ends to keep them shut.

Here are a few other candy recipes you will love:

Print Recipe
4.65 from 34 votes

Homemade Tootsie Rolls

These homemade tootsie rolls are delicious and fun to make.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: candy, Dessert, treat
Cuisine: Candy, Dessert, treat
Keyword: Candy, Chocolate, Dessert, Kids Favorite
Servings: 20 medium rolls

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla – divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • cooking spray
  • parchment paper

Instructions

  • In a medium pot, add sugar, corn syrup, water, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and salt and bring to a boil.
  • Using a candy thermometer heat and stir mixture until it hits 240 F. or just below hard ball stage. If doing the cold water test, drop a spoon full of sugar mixture into cold water and feel the mixture with your fingers, when it gets to a mostly firm ball, it’s perfect.
  • Remove from heat and add cocoa powder and remaining 1 teaspoons vanilla extract and stir until smooth.
  • Grease a piece of parchment paper and pour mixture onto it.
  • Allow to cool then sprinkle with powdered sugar as you knead the mixture.
  • Let mixture set for a minute, the mixture will thicken and feel hard, don’t worry it’s not ruined! Smash the mixture in your hands and it will soften after a few squeezes. Roll into individual pieces, wrap in small parchment paper pieces and twist ends to keep them shut.
4.65 from 34 votes (34 ratings without comment)