Bonomo Turkish Taffy History

Bonomo’s Turkish Taffy out of Coney Island, New York, was a popular candy in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Originally the candy was made in Bonomo’s candy kitchen and sold in pieces at the counter.

Soon the candy became very popular, so the Bonomo family packaged it into bars in flavors of vanilla, banana, strawberry, and chocolate.

In the 1950’s, Bonomo’s Turkish Taffy ran a popular ad on TV aimed at children starring three puppets named Bo, No, and Mo.

Many adults have memories of cracking a cold bar of Turkish Taffy on the sidewalk and savoring the little pieces as they unwrapped the packaging.

The second generation Bonomo, Victor, retired from the candy business in 1970. The company changed owners a few times, and in 1980 became part of the Tootsie Roll Industries. Due to lagging sales, the candy was discontinued in 1980. Then in 2010, Bonomo Turkish Taffy became available again.

It was originally sold in pieces by the pound. Now of course it is packaged in a bar. The flavors it comes in are: vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, banana, and peppermint.

Taffy is especially popular in the summer along the shore near tourist hot spots. Strong armed taffy pullers can be seen through windows along the board walk working a boiled sugary syrup into a creamy, delicious confection.


Vanilla Taffy recipe


1¼ cups sugar
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons mild vinegar
1½ teaspoons butter


1. Cook the above blended ingredients at a high heat
in a saucepot . Once it boils, don’t stir.
2. Heat till mixture registers 265 degrees on a candy thermometer.
3. Pour candy on a buttered marble slab and let cool until a spoon can leave an indentation in the mixture.
4. Add flavoring and food coloring if desired.
5. Gather it into a mass and pull it with your fingertips or use a candy scraper on the marble slab until it becomes porous.
6. Gather the taffy and then pull it away as it cools.
7. Roll it into long, thin strips and cut into 1 inch pieces.
8. Eat and enjoy!