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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Chemistry » Treacle Toffee

    Treacle Toffee

    October 26, 2012 By Emma Vanstone 4 Comments

    I love treacle toffee, it always reminds me of bonfire nights where we’d go out wrapped up warm in hats and scarves with everything smelling a bit smoky. This treacle toffee recipe is a great way to explore changes of state, as you have to melt the sugar first and then leave it harden.

    What you need to make treacle toffee

    500g brown sugar

    150ml water

    ¼ tsp cream of tartar

    75g butter

    100g black treacle

    100g golden syrup

    Treacle toffee recipe

    • Place the sugar and water in a pan and heat, stirring gently. The sugar will melt and the two liquids combine.
    pan of treacle toffee sugar solution
    • Add the rest of the ingredients and heat gently for about 10 minutes. You need to get the mixture to 143 C, which is known as the soft crack stage. If you don’t have a sugar thermometer, carefully drop a little of the mixture into cold water, when it separates into threads which are hard but not brittle it is ready.
    • Pour into an oiled tin, and leave to set. You can either mark the mixture with a knife before it sets, or break with a little hammer later on.
    treacle toffee ready to be cut

    As we made the toffee I showed the children the sugar in its solid state and asked them how they thought we could melt it. My 4 year old wanted to leave it out in the sun, but we decided heating on the hob might be faster.

    As the sugar melted we could smell a toffee like smell and as it got hotter and hotter we saw more and more bubbles.

    The science part

    This experiment is a great way to demonstrate the process of changing state from solid to liquid and back again.

    Everything we know exists in three states: A solid, A liquid or a Gas!

    Substances  can change from one state to another by different processes.

    SOLID  ––> LIQUID = MELTING

    LIQUID ––> GAS = EVAPORATING/BOILING

    GAS  ––> LIQUID = CONDENSING

    LIQUID ––> SOLID = COOLING/FREEZING

    When the sugar was heated it changed from solid to liquid which is an example of melting and when we move back from a liquid into a solid it is an example of cooling/freezing.

    The reason this happens is because when you provide heat the particles that make up the solid are given energy which cause them to vibrate which breaks the bonds holding them together. As they cool they lose this energy and so forms bonds again but not in the same shape.

    At the soft crack stage the amount of water left in the mixture is very low. This gives a hard, but still chewy toffee. For harder toffee’s and lollipops you need to heat to the hard crack stage when there is almost no water left.

    A much simpler way to demonstrate changes of state would be to melt chocolate and make rice krispie cakes!

    More kitchen science for kids

    Discover the science of meringue, have a science bake off or try one of my other delicious kitchen science experiments for kids.

    The sugar mixture gets very hot, always ask an adult to help

    The science of treacle toffee. Learn about changing states with this delicious treacle toffee recipe.

    Last Updated on September 18, 2021 by Emma Vanstone

    « Fun with pumpkins
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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JDaniel4's Mom

      October 26, 2012 at 10:48 am

      This really looks delicious!

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        October 30, 2012 at 8:27 pm

        It was, but a bit chewy!

        Reply
    2. maggy, red ted art

      October 26, 2012 at 6:20 pm

      Oooh yummy. My kids would ADORE this.

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        October 30, 2012 at 8:27 pm

        It was fun!

        Reply

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