Have you seen the Netflix series, Squid Game? It has become the most popular series on Netflix to date. And it is one of my new favorite shows. In episode three, they have to play a game using a honeycomb candy called Dalgona. Time to learn how to make the Squid Game Dalgona candy.
The Squid Game Dalgona candy also known as Ppopgi, was created during the Korean war when ingredients were scarce. It was a popular street snack in Korea in the ’70s and ’80s. There was also a game associated with it that the kids played. The challenge was to remove the inner shape, without breaking it, the first to do it, would win a free Dalgona. In the show, the stakes are, well let’s just say, much higher.
This candy has been made super popular by the show Squid Game. It is fairly easy to make but can be finicky, so don’t be alarmed if it takes you a few tries to make it. But, if I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Gather the ingredients
In order to make the Squid Game Dalgona Candy, you need just two ingredients:
- White granulated sugar
- Baking soda
Tools
- Cookie cutters
- Spatula or wooden chopsticks
- Small skillet or metal ladle
- Small cake pan
- Cooking spray
- Paper towel
There is a Dalgona Candy making Kit that you can buy too if you like. But this is purely optional.
Step 2: How to Make Dalgona Candy from Squid Game
To make this candy, you need some sort of object to press it down. The Dalgona candy kit comes with a press. But you can certainly use something like the back of a cake pan, which is what I do.
Spray the bottom of the pan with cooking spray. Then wipe most of it off with a paper towel. The cooking spray will help keep the candy from sticking when it is pressed down. Although, most likely you will have that happen to you once or twice when trying to make these.
Take a small skillet and add it to your burner. Set the heat to between medium-low and medium. On my oven, the 3 or 4 setting works perfectly. Allow the pan to heat up a bit.
Then add all the sugar to the middle of the pan. Traditionally some sort of a metal ladle would be used over a burner, but a small pan works fine too.
Now you need to stir the sugar, and keep stirring so it doesn’t burn.
Eventually, the sugar will melt and become a nice amber color. It doesn’t take very long, from start to finish you can make this candy in about 5 minutes.
Once completely melted, remove the pan from the heat.
Step 3: Finish the Squid Game Dalgona Candy
After you take the pan with melted sugar off of the heat, immediately add all of the baking soda to it and stir. Stir, stir, stir, for about 10 seconds. It will get all puffy, and about double in volume.
Pour all the candy out onto a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. I prefer using the silicone baking mat.
Next, allow the melted candy to cool for 10 to 12 seconds before trying to press it. If you try and press the Dalgona candy too soon it will stick to the press.
Now, use the bottom of the pan to press down on the pile of melted candy. It should be between 1/8th of an inch thick and 1/4th of an inch thick. Then remove the pan/press.
Use a cookie cutter and press it in the middle of the Squid Game Dalgona Candy. Don’t press it down all the way, because that will make it too thin, and it will break too easily.
Now allow the finished Dalgona candy to cool completely. Then gently remove it.
There you go, your iconic Dalgona candy from Squid Game is ready to be used. Have fun!
How do I clean the pan after making the Dalgona candy?
To clean your skillet, run really hot water over it. The hot water will melt the candy and make it really easy to clean up.
How long does the Squid Game Dalgona candy last?
If stored in an airtight container at room temperature it will last 3 to 4 days. If it is humid where you live, it may get a little sticky.
Here are some other recipes you may like:
Big Hero 6 Baymax Peanut Butter Cups
Dalgona Candy from Squid Game
Equipment
- Cookie Cutters
- Spatula or wooden chopsticks
- Small skillet or metal ladle
- Small cake pan
- cooking spray
- Paper Towel
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp sugar 30g
- 1/16 th of a tbsp of baking soda less than 1 gram
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of the cake pan with cooking spray and then wipe it with a paper towel. Or use a bit of oil.
- Using medium-low heat, heat up a small skillet.
- Add the sugar all at once in the middle of the pan, and then stir with a spatula or wooden chopsticks. Try and keep the sugar in the middle.
- Keep stirring and eventually, the sugar will melt completely and be an amber color.
- Once melted, remove the pan from the heat and add the baking soda all at once. Stir for about 10 seconds until all incorporated. It will puff up and double in volume.
- Pour the melted candy onto a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Then let it sit for 10 to 12 seconds.
- Press the candy down with the pan until it is a little more than 1/8th of an inch thick. Then remove it.
- Press the cookie cutter about halfway down in the middle of the candy, then remove it.
- Allow the Squid Game Dalgona Candy to cool, then gently remove it. You are done!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Do you like the recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.
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My son has been wanting to make this candy as he seen the show a couple of times! Finally made it following your recipe and it does take practice! But by the fourth try…it came out almost perfect! Didn’t use a pan to flatten it out though just folded the parchment paper and used more oil so it didn’t stick! Then I just dabbed the extra oil off on the cookie when it cooled off!
Awesome!! Yeah, it took me a few tries to get it down as well. The big question is, was he able to get the inside out without it breaking? haha
How much sugar and baking soda
Hi there, you need to keep scrolling down the recipe, until you find the “printable” recipe card. It has all the amounts there. 2 tbsp sugar and 1/16th of tbsp (pinch) of baking soda.
It burns it
You are leaving it on too long if it is burning.
Everytime i make it its PERFECT until i try pouring it onto parchment paper it BLOWS UP! Idk what to do!
Blows up? mmm, that has never happened to me. How many times have you tried it? I mentioned in the recipe it takes practice to make these. Try reducing the amount of baking soda. You may be putting too much in.
My sister suggested I do this so we can have this activity over Halloween. Glad I came over this post. Thanks for the recipe!
Awesome!! Have fun, let me know how it turns out. 🙂
My stepdaughter also made some dalgona candy in various shapes, and share it with her friends at school! Sugar is truly fun!
Awesome! 🙂
So not only do I need to watch Squid Game (sounds to interesting to pass up!) but I also need to try this recipe! Looks so easy to make!
You are welcome, Kelly!! 🙂 And thank you!
This dalgona recipe looks so yummy! I’, definitely going to recreate it. 🙂
Thank you, Emily!
I haven’t been around to make this haha. It’s cool to make it at home and actually do the challenge.
Yeah it is fun to make and the challenge is fun, and hard! haha
I haven’t watched Squid Game yet, but this candy looks like so much fun to make. I’ll have to watch at some point soon.
It is a great show if you like high-stakes survival movies. 🙂 And the candy is great!
This show is actually high on my list. At this moment, I’m stuck in Superstore 😉 I assume that I’ll appreciate your beautiful cookies even more once I’ve watched the show.
I can’t wait for you to see it! Yes the cookies/candy will make more sense when you see the show. 🙂 🙂
I see this show advertised but have no idea of what it is. The candy is cute though.
Thanks! It’s the most popular show every on Netflix, perfect for Halloween season.
This is amazing! My kids love this show, thank you!
Thank you, Beth!!
I have not watched Squid Game and haven’t heard of this candy before. It sounds like it would be tasty, though, and something fun to make with my boys.
It is a crazy awesome TV show. It is pretty tasty, it tastes kind of like peanut brittle.
That scene in Squid Game was intense but I have to say, I was intrigued on how they would complete the task! Excited to give your recipe a try!
Intense indeed! And not that easy to get the center out without it breaking haha
This is so cool! I love making things from popular TV shows.
Thank you! Same with me!