Squid Game Cookie Recipe – Dalgona Cookies

If you’ve watched Netflix’s global phenomenon Squid Game, you’re probably familiar with the intense, edge-of-your-seat “Honeycomb Challenge.” In this nerve-wracking game, players must carve out delicate shapes from a brittle Korean sugar candy called Dalgona — without cracking it. What you may not know is that Dalgona isn’t just a tool of survival in the game; it’s also a nostalgic street snack that generations of Koreans have enjoyed.

In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Dalgona, including its origin, cultural significance, and — most importantly — how to make it at home just like in Squid Game. So grab your sugar and baking soda, and let’s get started!

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🧁 What Is Dalgona?

Dalgona (달고나), also known as ppopgi (뽑기), is a Korean candy made from just two ingredients: sugar and baking soda. It was a popular street treat in Korea from the 1960s to the 1980s, often sold outside schools. Vendors would pour the caramelized sugar mixture into a flat disc and stamp a shape into it. Kids who managed to eat around the shape without breaking it would win another free Dalgona!

The candy got international fame thanks to Squid Game, where the challenge was a literal life-or-death version of this nostalgic snack.

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🍬 Ingredients

You’ll need just two simple ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of white granulated sugar
• A small pinch (about 1/16 teaspoon) of baking soda

Optional Tools:

• A ladle or small metal pan
• A wooden or metal chopstick (for stirring)
• A flat surface for shaping (parchment paper or silicone mat)
• Cookie cutters (circle, star, umbrella, triangle, etc.)
• A press (flat-bottomed cup or metal press)
• Cooking gloves (optional for safety)

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🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Tools

Lay out all your tools and ingredients before starting — Dalgona hardens quickly, so timing is everything!

Step 2: Melt the Sugar

1. Place 2 tablespoons of sugar in a ladle or small non-stick pan over low to medium-low heat.
2. Stir constantly with a chopstick or skewer as the sugar begins to melt. It should gradually turn from white to a golden amber. Don’t rush — if the heat’s too high, the sugar can burn.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

1. Once the sugar is fully melted and amber-colored, remove it from the heat.
2. Quickly add a pinch of baking soda and stir vigorously. The mixture will foam and expand, turning a light beige color.
3. Pour the foamed mixture onto a non-stick surface or parchment paper.

Step 4: Shape the Candy

1. Let it sit for about 10 seconds, then gently press it down with your flat-bottomed cup or press to flatten it (around ¼ inch thick).
2. Immediately press a cookie cutter into the center — not all the way through — just enough to leave an imprint.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let the Dalgona cool and harden completely (this takes about 1–2 minutes). Once cool, carefully lift it off the surface.

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🎯 How to Play the Dalgona Challenge

Now that you’ve made your Dalgona cookies, why not recreate the Squid Game challenge (minus the deadly consequences)?

1. Each player selects a cookie.
2. Using only a toothpick or needle, try to carve out the shape without cracking the candy.
3. If the candy cracks — game over! If you successfully extract the shape, you win!

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💡 Tips for Perfect Dalgona Cookies

• Keep heat low: High heat burns the sugar quickly. Be patient!
• Stir continuously: Even heating prevents clumping and burning.
• Use non-stick tools: Sugar is sticky and hot, so use silicone or greased metal tools.
• Be quick: Once baking soda is added, the reaction happens fast. Pour and shape immediately.

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🎉 Fun Facts

• The name Dalgona comes from the Korean word “달다” (dalda), which means “sweet.”
• Dalgona was traditionally made with a brass ladle over coal stoves by street vendors.
• The Dalgona trend came back briefly in 2020 during the Dalgona coffee craze, where the whipped coffee drink reminded people of the candy.

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🍭 Variations and Additions

While traditional Dalgona is plain, you can experiment with:

• Vanilla or almond extract (just a drop in the melted sugar)
• Sprinkles or edible glitter before pressing the shape
• Dipping in chocolate or drizzling caramel on top

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👩‍🍳 Final Thoughts

Making Dalgona cookies is more than just a cooking activity — it’s a taste of Korean culture and a fun throwback to childhood games. Whether you’re a fan of Squid Game or just love trying new sweets, this easy recipe brings a little drama and a lot of sugar to your kitchen.

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