Homemade Tootsie Rolls

Every memory I have of tootsie rolls takes me back to Halloween. Whenever I was a kid, and we would go trick-or-treating, people would almost throw candy at us. I remember getting home and emptying out our bags. The majority of the candy was tootsie rolls. Why? Maybe because they are the cheapest and smallest? Or is it because everyone enjoys a tootsie roll from time to time? I am not quite sure, but, I thought to myself "let's give them a try". So, I did! Here is the recipe for the simple and easy tootsie roll, have fun!

*Makes: Roughly 50 pieces 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (170g) golden syrup (or honey)
• 1/3 cup (50g) cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange flavoring 
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar, sifted
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/4 cups (160g) instant non-fat dry milk powder, sifted

Directions 

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine golden syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla, and orange flavoring using a whisk. Add the melted butter and whisk until well incorporated. 

Step 2: Add in the powdered sugar and pinch of salt; whisk again until well combined.

Step 3: Using a wooden spoon, mix in the instant milk powder 1/4 cup (30g) at a time until a dough forms. When you can no longer stir the mixture with a spoon, knead it with your hands. Keep adding in milk powder until a firm dough forms. You may not have to use all the milk powder (I didn't). The finished dough should be firm and a little sticky, but not so sticky that you can’t handle it. Roll the dough into a ball and place on waxed paper that has been lightly sprayed with cooking oil. 

Step 4: Let the dough rest uncovered on the wax paper for 5-10 minutes. As the candy stands it will relax from a ball shape into a disc. If the ball does not flatten into a disc, you can spray another sheet of wax paper and place it on top of the ball and roll it flat yourself. (I had to do this).

Step 5: Cut candy into strips or squares, and then roll them into cylinders (similar to an actual tootsie roll). If the candy sticks to the knife, spray the knife with cooking oil or coat it with butter.

Step 6: Cut wax paper into small pieces. Wrap candies with the wax paper pieces. Enjoy!