Sponge Candy (Copycat Cadbury Crunchie Bars) | Hungry Happenings

Introduction

Sponge Candy—often called Honeycomb or Hokey Pokey—delivers a satisfying mix of crispiness and melt-in-your-mouth caramel sweetness. Making these Copycat Cadbury Crunchie Bars at home means you can enjoy that classic golden toffee crunch whenever you crave it, without a trip to the candy shop. This recipe is sure to wow at parties or as a homemade edible gift.

Why You’ll Love Making Homemade Sponge Candy

With just a handful of pantry staples, you create that iconic bubbly texture and rich flavor found in Cadbury’s Crunchie Bars. It’s an impressive treat that’s surprisingly simple: think dramatic, glossy chocolate-coated shards with an airy, honeycomb-esque center. Whether you’re a nostalgic Brit or a curious candy-lover, this recipe delivers show-stopping results sure to delight a crowd.

The Science Behind the Crunch

Sponge Candy gets its signature texture from a reaction between baking soda and boiling caramel syrup. As the mixture foams, thousands of tiny bubbles create a light, crisp interior. Timing is crucial—pour it quickly to preserve the airy structure and let it cool before enrobing in smooth chocolate. The result is a snappy, golden confection that tastes just like the original.

Coating Your Homemade Crunchie Bars

After the honeycomb has cooled and set, breaking it into bars or irregular shards adds to its rustic charm. Dipping each piece in melted chocolate not only keeps the candy from becoming sticky but gives you that authentic Crunchie experience. Semi-sweet or milk chocolate both work well, so pick your favorite for the finishing touch!

Serve and Savor Sponge Candy in Style

Present Sponge Candy in cellophane bags for homemade gifts, arrange on a dessert platter, or store in an airtight container for after-dinner treats. Try crumbling a bar over ice cream or brownies, or serve with strong coffee for an indulgent pairing. However you enjoy it, expect crunchy, chocolatey bliss in every bite.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 10-12 bars (depending on how you break or cut the candy). Each piece averages 120-160 calories, largely depending on the thickness and amount of chocolate used—perfect for sharing or the occasional treat.

Sponge Candy (Recap)

Crisp, golden honeycomb centers encased in velvety chocolate: homemade Sponge Candy brings serious wow-factor with minimal hands-on time. Whether you’re recreating Crunchie nostalgia or discovering this classic for the first time, these bars deliver unforgettable crunch and flavor.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe and automatically generate an organized shopping list with ingredients sorted by store section. This streamlines grocery trips and keeps meal (or dessert!) planning seamless.

Instructions

1. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Have your sifted baking soda and vanilla ready.
2. In a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar, corn syrup, and vinegar. Stir until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring.
3. Attach a candy thermometer. Boil the mixture until it reaches 300°F (“hard crack” stage), about 5-8 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
4. As soon as the temperature is reached, remove from heat and immediately add the vanilla—careful, it may bubble.
5. Quickly sift and sprinkle the baking soda over the syrup. Whisk briskly but briefly, just until the mixture foams up and nearly triples in volume.
6. Immediately pour the mixture into the prepared pan—do not spread or press it down, as this will deflate the bubbles.
7. Let it cool undisturbed for 1-2 hours until completely set.
8. Remove from pan, peel off parchment, and break into bars or shards.
9. Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
10. Dip each piece of honeycomb candy into chocolate, letting excess drip off. Place on a parchment-lined tray to set completely.

Weekly Meal Planning

Sponge Candy isn’t just for the holidays—add it to your weekly meal or snack planning for a crowd-pleasing treat. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to plan your treat days, consolidate shopping lists, and avoid ingredient surprises.

Planning Benefits:

• Seamlessly calculates ingredient totals across your entire meal or dessert lineup
• Intelligently organizes shopping lists by grocery store section
• Minimizes duplicate purchases and keeps pantry essentials stocked
• Simplifies batch prep for parties or weekly family snacks

Pro tip: If you’re scheduling more than one sweet treat, let CookifyAI calculate the quantities so no ingredient (or treat!) is left behind.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling/Setting Time: 1-2 hours
Total Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes (including cooling)