Sea foam candy dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with coarse sea salt. Sea foam is also known as sponge candy and is a light and airy sweet treat.

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Growing up I lived in SW Portland right down the street from Multnomah Village; a cute village with small shops and restaurants. It was a dream neighborhood to grow up in. We could walk into the village and shop at small businesses, get a bite to eat, and the best part, visit the candy store. My sister and I used to collect cans and bottles from our neighbors to get some money for the candy store. Ah, those were the days.

As a family, we would go to Fat City Cafe for lunch and stop by the candy store before our walk home. My sister and I would pick out our favorite candies like big league chew, wax bottles, and smarties. My dad would get an ice cream cone and my mom would always get chocolate-covered sea foam candy. A bag of sea foam candy was often stuffed in the back of the fridge, I’m sure to hide it from anyone else.

Ever since my childhood, I have had a special appreciation for sea foam candy. It’s nostalgic and it’s so delicious. My mom’s effort to hide her candy would usually fail as I would steal small pieces until it was gone. I couldn’t help myself, this candy is that good!

As an adult, I find myself only enjoying sea foam on special occasions. The candy store in the village is no longer there so it is always so special when I spot some at another store, which is honestly pretty rare. I would buy a huge batch because I felt like I wouldn’t see it again for a while. Until I realized…I can make it myself!

Sea foam candy is one of those recipes that seems like it is so hard to make yourself but actually isn’t; kind of like a fancy lamb dinner or the perfect pie crust. It has always seemed so special, delicate and like serious skills are needed to make it. Quite the opposite! You can have your own batch of sea foam candy in just a couple of hours, and the longest part of this recipe is the cooling.

This sea foam candy is light and crunchy with a sweet toffee-like flavor. Covered completely in thick dark chocolate and sprinkled with coarse sea salt. The sweetness of the sea foam and chocolate pair with the salty sea salt for an irresistible decadent candy. Trust me, you are going to go back for seconds…and probably thirds. Or eat the whole batch in three days as I did. Worth it!

Quick tips for the perfect sea foam

• While the sugar mixture is boiling, if small sugar crystals form on sides, run a heat resistant spatula around the side of the pot.

• When you add the baking soda, stir very quickly. Once it starts to turn a golden color pour into the prepared baking sheet.

• Use a baking sheet with raised sides so the candy does not spread too far.
• Do not shake or smooth out the sea foam once poured into the pan. Allow it to spread on its own or it will loose it’s bubbles.
• To break it into pieces, I have found the best ways are to either pick it up out of the pan and carefully break it with your hands; don’t squeeze too hard when breaking, it crumbles easily or use a large knife to cut into chunks.
• Keep the small pieces that are leftover for sprinkling on top of the chocolate, ice cream or milkshakes.
• When melting the chocolate use a double boiler, not the microwave. You can either use a double boiler saucepan or use a regular saucepan with a glass or metal bowl on top. Use oven mitts to hold the bowl and stir constantly. Make sure the boiling water is not touching the bowl or the chocolate will seize.
• Use a large fork or you fingers to dip the sea foam chunks into the melted chocolate. I have tried tongs, but they wipe too much of the chocolate off while dipping.
• Don’t be shy with the sea salt, the combination of flavors is amazing.
• Store the sea foam in an airtight container at room temperature.