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Chef Chris Cho making Dalgona Candy — This is how you make Dalgona Candy!

Dalgona Cookie is an old-fashioned Korean sugar candy that many Korean kids enjoyed in the past. It has recently regained popularity because of the Netflix K-drama Squid Games.

Many people know this candy now by the term “Squid Games Cookie” mainly because it was one of the interesting things that hooked people in the show Squid Games.

Personally, though, this candy goes beyond the trend. When I was in elementary school, there was a lady who made and sold this in front of our school. Me and my friends would often gather around to play.

The main gist of the game was whoever cut the figure perfectly would get another one for free. It was really competitive because as a kid, we love free candy! In America, it’s cotton candy; in Korea, it’s Dalgona Candy or “Ppopgi”.

Having said this, I had a whole childhood in Korea. When I moved to America, it was a whole different country. The culture, the trends, and the games for kids were different. Even my Korean-American friends who originally grew up in the States didn’t know what games I was talking about.

But now that there’s a growing popularity and love for K-drama, K-pop, and just Korean culture in general, I am more than ecstatic! There’s a lot of work to do when it comes to racism and stereotypes, but the progress from then to now is huge.

Nothing excites me more than knowing that my kids can grow up where Korean culture is appreciated by many. I hope they grow up to love it too! Peace and love to everyone supporting and accepting!

Items You’ll Need to Make Dalgona Cookie

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Moving on from history and what this candy means to me, let’s move on and talk about the candy itself!

Dalgona Candy — Star-shaped Dalgona Cookie

Dalgona is also known because of Dalgona Coffee. It is now a common flavor of drinks and pastries, but originally, the ingredients of the candy were only sugar and baking soda. Brown Sugar is the base and baking soda will be the agent that will make it light, puffed, and brittle.

As compared to the ingredients, there are more items that you need so you can make this cookie successfully.

Nonstick Pan – While you can make the cookie in any pan, nonstick would lessen the likelihood of the sugar sticking to the pan.
Wooden Chopstick – This will be the tool you will use to mix the sugar and measure the baking soda.
Flat Surface or Flat Baking Sheet lined with Silicone Mat or Oiled Parchment Paper – A flat surface is needed to make the cookie even. However, another thing that you need to note is that the sugar is going to be sticky before it hardens. A nonstick silicone mat or oiled parchment paper will keep the cookie from sticking to the surface.
Glass with Flat Bottom, Oiled – In the process of making the candy, you’ll be flattening it a little to shape the cookie evenly. You need to oil it so the candy does not stick.
Cookie Cutter (Different Shapes) – This is what makes the candy unique and of varying levels of hardness. Use a circle, heart, star, or umbrella, any figures are great! The more corners there are, the more challenging the game will be.

Note that you need all your ingredients and equipment prepared because making the cookie is quick and each step is simultaneous. There are steps in the process that you need to maintain the temperature and consistency so you can make the cookie successfully.

How to Make Dalgona Candy?

While the pan is still cool, place the sugar in it, then turn to medium heat.

Keep stirring the sugar until it becomes silky

Mix the sugar continuously. As it heats up, you will notice that it will melt and turn into chunks. Keep mixing until it becomes completely melted. At this point, you need to keep an eye on the sugar so it doesn’t burn. It can quickly do so and make the candy bitter.

Take the pan off the heat. Using the same chopstick, dip it in the baking soda and mix it in sugar. Do this twice. You will notice the sugar will lighten and puff a little.

Pour the melted sugar in a flat, oiled surface

Flatten the melted sugar using an oiled glass bottom

At this point, you can pour the mixture on the oiled surface or baking sheet. Wait for around 20 seconds to set it a little then flatten it using an oiled glass bottom. Be patient! The actual cookie doesn’t have to be perfect as long as the cookie cutter fits right in.

Make an indentation on the sugar cookie using a cookie cutter

Afterward, stick the cookie cutter to make an indentation in each candy. This process must be done quickly before it completely sets. If you want the game to be easy, press the cookie cutter a bit hard. If you want the game to be hard, just lightly press the cookie cutter in the candy. Be careful not to complete it.

Allow the candy to completely set and cool. At this point, it will harden and be brittle, then let the games begin!

Dalgona Challenge

When I was a kid, the game was to cut out the figure without breaking the cookie. Some would use needles or toothpicks. Others would bite, or lick the back to accomplish the challenge.

This is a fun game for both kids and adults during special gatherings. You can prepare the cookies in advance and store them in a cool dry place. With heat and moisture, they might melt and stick to one another so store them properly. Play the game as soon as you can and you’ll have a fun sweet, caramel treat afterward!

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Make sure to leave a rating, a comment, or tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Tiktok when you chop them up! Yeobosayo!

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