In Netflix's Squidward , the hugely popular South Korean show whose premise is that 456 contestants must play children's games to survive, making Dagona Candy Cookies without destroying them could be a big win. The difference between money or getting shot.
In Episode 3, contestants are tasked with making a very crisp and delicate cookie called a "Dalgona Candy" without breaking it. In Squid Game , failure to serve the perfect meal will result in player death. On TikTok, people take on challenges themselves (with less deadly consequences). Posters for these videos showed off their cookie baking and cutting skills and shared whether they would live to see another day if they participated in the Squidward game.
Dalgona is a Korean dessert also known as Korean sweets or ppopgi. If the name sounds familiar, that's because Dalgona Coffee is named after the treat; the sugary coffee concoction was trending on TikTok back in early 2020 as everyone got used to lockdown. This traditional candy is made from just two ingredients and has a honeycomb, toffee-like consistency. When it hardens, it's fragile and breaks easily - so it's very risky to use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes like umbrellas or stars without ruining this moody dessert.
The candy is apparently very enjoyable when consumed without life-threatening consequences. Here's how to make your own.
Dagona Candy Ingredients
View on TikTok
Chances are you won't need to go to the grocery store to buy this—all you need is baking soda and sugar. According to the Korean cooking blog Korean Bapsang, any kind of sugar is fine, but baking powder cannot be used instead of baking soda.
How to Cook Dalgona Sweets
View on TikTok
This is a stovetop treat, so prepare a pan or ladle, preferably nonstick, as this is a very sticky job. You'll also need parchment paper, a bowl or cup to use as a stamp, cookie cutters, a rubber spatula, and a sharp object (such as a knife) for removing cookie shapes. According to TikTok and Korean Bapsang, here's the best way to cook sweets:
- Heat a saucepan over low to medium-low heat and add 1.5 tablespoons of sugar.
- When you see the sugar melting around the edges, stir.
- Stir regularly to ensure it melts evenly and doesn't burn. If it smokes, remove from the heat and lower the temperature. Continue doing this until the sugar is completely melted. (If you've made caramel before, this will feel familiar.)
- Once melted, remove from the heat for a few seconds to cool, then stir in three pinches of baking soda.
- Stir as hard as possible. When ready, it should puff up and take on the appearance of whipped coffee.
- Using a rubber spatula, pour the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper.
- Let cool for about 10 seconds, then press a cup or bowl over it to flatten it. According to TikTok, this is the hardest part because it's so sticky.
- Quickly stamp it with a cookie cutter and remove.
- Now wait for the whole cookie to harden and then poke the cookie out without breaking the inner shape.
Make this candy and you'll live to see another day without getting any bonuses. However, you will win many accolades on TikTok.
