Dalgona Candy or Ppopgi


This two-ingredient Dalgona candy recipe or Ppopgi is simple to make and takes less than 5 minutes too. Try the squid games ppopgi or dalgona candy challenge yourself today.


Published: October 8, 2021 · Modified: March 11, 2024 by Jennifer Ryan


Dalgona candy with shapes imprinted

Dalgona Candy or ppopgi is making a comeback in a massive way, thanks to the new Netflix show Squid game. Last year everyone was drinking the trending Dalgona coffee, which got its name from this famous deliciously yummy Korean candy. The whipped coffee had the same-looking texture as the creamy toffee honeycomb candy known as Dalgona. Now fast forward a few months, and everyone wants to try the real thing.

What is the Dalgona candy challenge?

Everyone wants to try the Dalgona or ppopgi candy challenge, the aim of this game is to etch the center shape out of the hardened honeycomb-like candy without out it cracking or breaking, it’s harder than you think. In the Netflix TV series, the contestants of the game would be shot if they failed their task, at least you won’t have to worry about that happening to you.

What is Dalgona candy?

Dalgona candy was and still is a famous Korean street food. This candy is traditionally made using a ladle and a hotteok press. Each piece of candy would be individually made by a street vendor over a medium heat. After cooking you would choose from a selection of shapes and then have your dalgona candy pressed and your shape added.

Dalgona candy Lolly pops with shapes imprinted

How to make Dalgona candy

This honeycomb toffee only uses two ingredients, sugar, and baking soda. Place your pan over a medium heat and add in your sugar. Stir with a wooden chopstick or wooden spoon and keep stirring until the sugar has fully melted. Add in a small pinch of baking soda and stir until the mixture is fully incorporated. Then pour your candy mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper; lightly press the candy with a press or flat metal spatula, then use a small cookie cutter to press in your chosen shape. All you have to do now is leave your candies to cool before enjoying. You can buy a full Dalgona candy recipe-making set from Amazon, which has all the correct equipment you need for making the perfect ppopgi or dalgona candy recipe yourself at home.

Dalgona candy etching shape out with cocktail stick

What does dalgona mean in Korean?

You may be asking yourself what the word dalgona means, well, it’s a Korean word simply meaning “it’s sweet”. This street food candy also has another name ppopgi which means “to pick” or “to select” they call it this, as many people would play a game with the candy where you would use a wooden toothpick to etch out the center shape. The aim of the game would be to successfully take out the pressed shape without breaking your candy.

Dalgona Candy Recipe | How to make Squid game Dalgona Candy | Ppopgi
Dalgona candy with shapes imprinted

Dalgona Candy Recipe (Ppopgi)

Jennifer Ryan
This two-ingredient Dalgona candy recipe or Ppopgi is so simple to make and takes less than 5 minutes too. Try the squid games ppopgi or dalgona candy challenge yourself today and see if you will break under pressure.
5 from 22 votes
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
cooling time 5 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Korean
Servings 4
Calories 70 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  • The first step in making Dalgona candy is to line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it to one side.
  • Next place your frying pan over a medium heat, add in the sugar, and stir until fully melted.
    6 Tablespoons White sugar
  • Add in 1/8 of a teaspoon (a pinch) of baking soda and stir until the candy mixture is fully incorporated.
    1/8 Teaspoon Baking soda
  • Now pour your hot candy mixture onto the parchment paper into four equal round portions.
  • At this point use your hotteok press or large flat metal spatula and press down lightly so the candy will have a flat even surface (I didn't have one to hand so I left this step out).
  • If using a lolly stick insert the wooden sticks into the bottom of each candy round.
  • Lastly, choose your cookie cutter shape and press gently into each candy center.
  • Leave your Dalgona candy to cool fully before serving.
    Dalgona candy with shapes imprinted

Video

Dalgona Candy Recipe | How to make Squid game Dalgona Candy | Ppopgi

Notes

Tips & Tricks
Make sure to have everything laid out and prepared before starting to cook the Dalgona candy as each step requires your full attention
When the sugar fully melts you have to act quickly to add in the baking soda and remove it from the heat as at this stage the candy can burn quickly.
Remember to be careful when handling and pouring the hot candy as it's extremely hot and sticky and can cause serious burns if not handled correctly.

Nutrition

Calories: 70kcalCarbohydrates: 18gSodium: 34mgPotassium: 1mgSugar: 18gCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Dalgona, dalgona candy, dalgona candy challenge, honeycomb candy, ppopgi, squid game candy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

12 thoughts on “Dalgona Candy or Ppopgi

    1. I’m not sure Nate, Dalgona candy goes by many names, some call it honeycomb candy even though there is no honey in it, others call it Korean candy because that’s where it is meant to originate from but it’s not really a Korean specific recipe as the ingredients can be found in any country.

    1. I think you can use any sugar Hannah to make Dalgona candy, but I would imagine it would have less of that honeycomb look with darker brown sugars. Let me know if you try it out.

  1. Pingback: 44+ Korean Recipes In 2022 That Deserve Your Chef's Kiss

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If you love all things Dalgona take a look at our chocolate chip dalgona cookie recipe or even give this luxurious whipped Dalgona coffee a try.

Dalgona coffee with cookie on a tray With heart shaped topping

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