Squid Game cookies became a global trend almost overnight, turning a simple Korean street sweet into one of the most searched desserts in the world. These cookies, known traditionally as dalgona candy, are thin, crisp, and made with just two basic ingredients. What makes them exciting is the challenge: carefully cut out a shape stamped into the candy without breaking it.
This guide explains everything you need to know about Squid Game cookies, from what they really are and where they come from to how to make them safely at home. You’ll learn the exact steps, common mistakes, variations, storage tips, and expert tricks to get the best results even if you’ve never made candy before.
What Are Squid Game Cookies
Squid Game cookies are not cookies in the traditional baked sense. They are actually dalgona candy, a popular Korean street treat made from melted sugar and baking soda. When heated, sugar caramelizes and puffs up once baking soda is added, creating a light, brittle candy with a honeycomb-like structure.
In the Squid Game series, players must remove a stamped shape from the candy without cracking it. That challenge is what made dalgona candy famous worldwide.
Why Squid Game Cookies Became So Popular
The popularity of Squid Game cookies comes from a mix of nostalgia, simplicity, and challenge. The recipe uses only sugar and baking soda, yet it requires patience and precision. People love the interactive part of carefully cutting shapes like circles, triangles, stars, or umbrellas.
Another reason for the trend is accessibility. Almost anyone can try making these cookies at home with basic kitchen tools. No oven is required, and the process is fast, which makes it perfect for social media challenges and family activities.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Squid Game cookies use the fewest ingredients of almost any dessert.
You only need:
- Granulated sugar
- Baking soda
That’s it. No flour, butter, eggs, or milk. However, accuracy matters because even a small mistake can ruin the texture.
Tools That Help
While ingredients are simple, tools make a big difference.
Helpful tools include:
- Small saucepan or metal ladle
- Wooden chopstick or skewer
- Measuring spoon
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Flat-bottomed glass or spatula
- Cookie cutter or metal shape
A ladle is traditionally used in Korea, but a small pan works just as well at home.
How to Make Squid Game Cookies Step by Step
Step 1: Prepare Your Station
Before heating sugar, prepare everything. Place parchment paper on a heat-safe surface. Have your baking soda measured and your shape ready. Timing is fast, so preparation matters.
Step 2: Melt the Sugar
Add sugar to a ladle or small saucepan. Heat it slowly over low heat. Stir gently as it melts. The sugar will clump first, then turn liquid.
Once fully melted, it should be amber in color. Avoid dark brown sugar, which means it’s burnt and bitter.
Step 3: Add Baking Soda
Remove the pan from heat. Add a tiny pinch of baking soda, usually about 1/16 teaspoon. Stir quickly.
The sugar will foam and expand immediately. This reaction creates the airy texture.
Step 4: Pour and Flatten
Pour the foamy sugar onto parchment paper. Let it sit for a few seconds, then gently press it flat using the bottom of a glass or spatula. Don’t press too hard or it may crack.
Step 5: Stamp the Shape
While the candy is still warm and soft, press your cookie cutter lightly into the surface. Do not cut all the way through. You want an outline, not a hole.
Let the candy cool completely before touching it.
How Long Do Squid Game Cookies Take to Set
Dalgona candy hardens quickly. Within two to three minutes, it becomes firm and brittle. Once cooled, it should snap cleanly when broken.
Humidity can affect setting time. In humid environments, the candy may take longer to harden or become sticky.
Common Shapes Used
The shapes used in Squid Game are now iconic.
Popular shapes include:
- Circle
- Triangle
- Star
- Umbrella
At home, you can also try hearts, flowers, or letters for fun variations.
Tips for Success
Small details make a big difference with Squid Game cookies.
- Use low heat to prevent burning
- Stir gently to avoid air bubbles
- Measure baking soda carefully
- Work quickly after adding baking soda
- Press shapes lightly, not deeply
Patience and focus matter more than speed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many first-time attempts fail for simple reasons.
Burnt sugar creates bitterness and dark color. Too much baking soda makes the candy taste metallic. Pressing the shape too hard cracks the cookie. Waiting too long before stamping causes the candy to harden too quickly.
Learning from one failed batch is normal and expected.
Is It Safe to Make at Home
Squid Game cookies involve hot, melted sugar, which can cause burns if handled carelessly. Adults should supervise children closely. Using long-handled tools and heat-resistant surfaces reduces risk.
Never touch hot sugar directly. Let everything cool fully before handling.
Taste and Texture
Squid Game cookies have a light caramel flavor with a mild bitterness, similar to toasted sugar. The texture is crisp and brittle, dissolving quickly in the mouth.
They are not overly sweet, which surprises many people trying them for the first time.
Variations You Can Try
Traditional dalgona candy is plain, but small variations are possible.
Flavor ideas include:
- Vanilla extract added after baking soda
- Cinnamon sprinkled on top
- Matcha powder mixed lightly
- Cocoa powder for a chocolate hint
Keep additions minimal so the structure stays intact.
Colored Squid Game Cookies
Food coloring can be added, but it must be oil-based and used sparingly. Water-based coloring can cause sugar to seize or bubble unevenly.
Colored versions are more decorative but slightly harder to control.
Making Squid Game Cookies Without Baking Soda
Some people try alternatives, but baking soda is essential for the classic puffed texture. Without it, the candy will be flat and glassy, closer to hard candy than dalgona.
For authentic results, baking soda should not be skipped.
How Sweet Are Squid Game Cookies
These cookies are sweet but not cloying. The caramelization process reduces sharp sweetness and adds depth. Compared to frosted cookies or candy bars, dalgona candy feels lighter.
Because they are thin, most people enjoy them in small portions.
Serving Squid Game Cookies
Squid Game cookies are best served fresh. They are usually eaten on their own, but they can also be paired with coffee, milk, or tea.
Serving them as a challenge game adds to the fun, especially at parties.
Storage Tips
Dalgona candy does not store well long-term.
For short storage:
- Keep in an airtight container
- Store at room temperature
- Avoid humidity
Even with care, texture may change after one day.
Can You Make Them Ahead of Time
They are best made the same day. If needed, you can make them a few hours in advance, but expect slight softening if the air is humid.
Fresh batches always give the best crack and snap.
Squid Game Cookies for Parties
These cookies are great for themed events.
Party ideas include:
- Timed cutting challenges
- Different shape difficulty levels
- Prizes for unbroken shapes
- Kids versus adults rounds
They add interaction, not just dessert.
Are Squid Game Cookies Traditional Korean Desserts
Yes, dalgona candy has been popular in Korea for decades. Street vendors often sell it with a challenge, offering a free candy if the shape is removed cleanly.
Squid Game introduced this tradition to a global audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Squid Game cookies taste good
Yes, they have a caramel-like flavor that many people enjoy.
Why did mine turn bitter
The sugar was overheated.
Can I use brown sugar
No, granulated white sugar works best.
Do I need a thermometer
No, visual cues are enough.
Are these cookies kid-friendly
With supervision, yes.
Expert Insight
Experienced candy makers focus on heat control and timing. The moment baking soda is added, everything happens fast. Keeping movements calm and deliberate leads to cleaner shapes and better texture. Rushing or multitasking almost always causes cracks.
Final Thoughts
Squid Game cookies prove that simple ingredients can create exciting results. With just sugar and baking soda, you get a dessert that’s interactive, nostalgic, and surprisingly satisfying. While the challenge element makes them fun, the real reward is mastering a classic treat that’s been enjoyed for generations.
Once you get the timing right, Squid Game cookies stop feeling tricky and start feeling addictive. They’re not just a trend, but a reminder that sometimes the simplest desserts leave the biggest impression.