Homemade Corn Syrup

By tcasteel2000

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup cold water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon powdered alum
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla

Details

Adapted from ehow.com

Preparation

Step 1

Step 1: In a saucepan, mix the cold water and the cornstarch.
Step 2: Bring the mixture to a boil. Stir until it becomes clear.
Step 3: Add the sugar. Continue to boil until it reaches the consistency of prepared corn syrup.
Step 4: Remove from heat and add the vanilla and alum. Stir to dissolve. You may also want to add a drop of yellow food coloring to give the syrup the desired color.
This recipe makes around 2 cups of syrup.
Alternatives
If you want to make your syrup darker, replace the sugar with brown sugar.
It is also possible to make corn syrup directly from ears of corn. This option captures the corn flavor but is considered slightly healthier. Cut the kernels from the ears, break the cobs into pieces and boil them for 45 minutes. Use a half cup of the water you boiled the cobs in in the place of the cornstarch and cold water in the recipe. This recipe also makes around 2 cups of syrup.
Substitute for Corn Syrup
It is also possible to make an "imitation" corn syrup that does not use corn starch. For this you will need.
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 pinch salt
Step 1: Place everything in a large saucepan.
Step 2: Bring the pan to a boil.
Step 3: Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 3 minutes.
Step 4: Uncover and continue to simmer until it reaches the syrupy consistency you want.
Step 5: Cool and store in a covered container.
This recipe also makes around 2 cups of syrup.