Abstract
Making confections can be a yummy and fun educational experience for children. But for everyone to get the most out of it, you need patience and scientific knowledge. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, a science-of-confection 4-H curriculum series, helps youth aged 8-18 meet those challenges, regardless if they have any prior knowledge about candy making. The Science of Sugar manual offers short lessons (including food-safety information and lab essentials); hands-on experiments, like agitation, aeration and Maillard reactions; explorations of industry-related issues, including food regulations, product labeling and opening your own business; 17 basic recipes (fondant, fudge, taffy, nougat, caramel and gummies to name a few); and simple homework to deepen the learning. In addition, the manual includes an achievement program to help youth identify their goals and track their accomplishments. Indulge your and their sweet tooth with this comprehensive teaching guide.