Mix corn syrup, water, sugar, cornstarch, butter and salt and boil to 256-degrees on a candy thermometer.
Add vanilla and coloring.
Let cool --pour into well greased jelly roll pans-or cookie sheets with sides. Let it cool enough to handle with your hands, but don't let it get too cool because it will harden.
Once you can handle it, grease your hands and pull the taffy. Pulling it requires you to gather a handful and then pull your hands apart. Fold the taffy back on itself and pull your hands apart again. Keep repeating this process until the taffy changes from clear to solid colored. Each time you pull it you are putting air into it, so don't stop too soon.
Once it's finished, pull it into strips that are about an inch in diameter. Use kitchen scissors to cut the taffy into pieces. Wrap each piece in a square of wax paper and twist the ends.
We always liked to replace the vanilla with maple flavoring.
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