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Hard Candy Recipe for Holidays Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 150 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 30 small pieces 1x
  • Category: Candy
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This classic hard candy recipe is perfect for holidays and special occasions. Made with simple ingredients like granulated sugar, water, and corn syrup, this recipe allows you to create delicious, colorful hard candies with your favorite flavors. The candies are coated with powdered sugar to prevent sticking and provide a festive finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Basic Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup water
  • ⅓ cup clear corn syrup

Coloring and Flavoring

  • 42 drops food coloring (liquid works best) – 22 drops green, 20 drops red
  • Flavoring extract (e.g., peppermint, vanilla) or flavor oil (e.g., strawberry, cotton candy) as desired

Finishing

  • Powdered sugar for coating

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and measure them accurately. Ensure you have your food coloring and flavor extracts ready to use.
  2. Mix Sugar, Water, and Corn Syrup: In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup water, and ⅓ cup clear corn syrup. Stir gently to combine without splashing the sides of the pan.
  3. Heat Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, making sure the bulb is immersed in the syrup but not touching the pan bottom.
  4. Cook to Hard Crack Stage: Continue cooking without stirring until the mixture reaches 300°F (149°C), the hard crack stage. This ensures the candy will be hard and brittle when cooled.
  5. Add Color and Flavor: Remove the pan from heat immediately once 300°F is reached. Quickly stir in 42 drops of desired food coloring (green: 22 drops, red: 20 drops) and your chosen flavoring extract or oil. Stir briskly to evenly distribute.
  6. Pour and Shape: Pour the hot syrup onto a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow it to spread out evenly. Let the candy cool slightly until it starts to harden but is still pliable. You can score the candy into pieces or pull and shape it as desired.
  7. Coat with Powdered Sugar: Once fully cooled and hardened, sprinkle powdered sugar over pieces to prevent sticking and give a festive finish.
  8. Store Properly: Store the candies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crispness and prevent moisture absorption.

Notes

  • Use a candy thermometer to ensure precise temperature control—critical for hard candy success.
  • Be very careful when handling hot sugar syrup as it can cause severe burns.
  • If the syrup crystallizes, you can try reheating gently with a little water to dissolve crystals before continuing.
  • Experiment with different flavor extracts and color combinations for festive variations.
  • Coating with powdered sugar helps prevent the candies from sticking together.

Find it online: https://justworthi.com/hard-candy-recipe-for-holidays-recipe/