Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: Jeff gives up and accepts Utah’s candy corn obsession
Oct 9, 2025, 7:00 AM
Those who make candy corn often say that Utahns eat more candy corn than residents of any other state. (Canva)
(Canva)
Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.
When you look at the flag and see those glorious 50 stars, I can’t help but think that there should be 49. And for the 50th, instead of a star, Utah should get a candy corn.
For years, I’ve warned you about the witches’ brew of chemicals in candy corn that ends up stuck between your teeth. The pig cartilage, Yellow Dye No. 5, Red Dye No. 3, (a known carcinogen, scarier than any haunted house). And I don’t think we really have to talk about the sugar. Do we?
Candy corn is the perfect Halloween candy because it brings you closer to your grave. Yet Utah remains the number one state in the country for consumption of this toxic little trifle.
So after 10 years of warnings, I surrender. I surrender! And as a peace offering, I’ll give you a recipe to make your own candy corn. Yes! You’ll destroy your kitchen in a sticky and spectacular mess, but think of the family time as you do it the authentic way, like they did back in the 1880s.
Sort of.
Mix up some powdered sugar, dry milk and a little salt. Set it aside. Put honey, water and granulated sugar in a pot. Heat it for four minutes. Add butter. Heat it for another four minutes.
Take it off the stove and add vanilla and that powdered sugar. Mix it up and pour it into a pan. Divide into three parts. Each one gets a food dye (yellow, orange and red). Then you have to knead this sticky mess.
Finally, lay it out in color strips and cut it into little corns. Wait two hours. I’d finish the recipe by tossing it all in the trash. But if you actually want to eat this stuff — and apparently you do — enjoy. I’ll be in the other room. Munching on a Kit Kat.
Jeff Caplan is the host of Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News on KSL NewsRadio. Follow him on Facebook and X.
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