Aliyah, you won't know for sure if the syrup is ready without using a thermometer; but make sure that, once it comes to a full, rolling boil, it boils for 2 minutes before you take it off the heat. Hopefully that'll work, though without knowing the size of your saucepan, it's uncertain. Candy thermometers are fairly inexpensive; the one we use in the test kitchen retails for $9.95, so you might want to invest in one someday. Good luck - PJH

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