What type of candy is most similar to pulled sugar?

Pulled sugar is characterized by its glossy appearance and chewy texture, which are achieved through a process of heating sugar and then working it by pulling it until it becomes malleable and elastic. The method of creating pulled sugar involves heating the sugar to a high temperature, then cooling it slightly and working it by hand to introduce air and create a specific texture.

Hard candies share a similar fundamental process in that they are also made by heating sugar but with the goal of maintaining a solid, glossy finish once cooled. Like pulled sugar, the ingredients are typically just sugar and water, with the potential addition of flavorings or colorings. When hard candies solidify, they form a structure that can be vacuumed, pulled, or otherwise manipulated before completely setting, which is akin to partial aspects of the pulled sugar technique.

In contrast, caramel is formed by cooking sugar until it melts and caramelizes, resulting in a much softer and more viscous product than pulled sugar. Gummy candies utilize gelatin to achieve their chewy texture, and chocolate truffles are primarily composed of chocolate and cream, fundamentally differing in composition and preparation methods from pulled sugar. Thus, the best comparison in terms of both technique and end product is hard candies.