Saltwater Taffy

1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
food coloring and flavorings

Mix the sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Stir in the corn syrup, butter, water and salt. Cook the mixture over moderate heat until it reaches 254�F on candy thermometer or until a few drops in cold water form hard balls. Remove the pan from the heat, add a few drops of food coloring and flavoring of your choice. For a batch this size you can use 1 teaspoon vanilla or 1/4 teaspoon flavoring oil and about 3 drops of food coloring. Pour the taffy onto a buttered platter.

Cool the taffy until it can be handled comfortably, about two to three minutes. If it gets too cool, you can warm it in a 350�F oven for 3 to 4 minutes. Form it into 1 or 2 balls. Liberally butter your hands, and pull the lump of taffy until it is about 15 inches long. Now double it up and pull again. Repeat until it is light in color and firm enough to hold a shape. Stretch it into a rope about 3/4 inch in diameter and snip off 1 inch bits with oiled kitchen scissors. Wrap each piece in wax paper. Can add any flavor extracts as desired.