Cook the first 4 ingredients without stirring to the hard ball stage. Remove from heat and add the vanilla. Cool on greased dinner plates until cool enough to handle. Grease your hands and pull until creamy colored. We used butter to grease the plates and our hands.
The faster it cooks the better, but watch it carefully so it doesn’t scorch. My Dad NEVER pulled taffy. He said it melted in his hands. I really think it was because the candy was so hot still and could cause blisters!!