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–+ servings

Homemade Hard Candy

Hard candy is the perfect bite-sized indulgence when you crave a crisp, colorful burst of sweetness. This easy recipe lets you experiment with flavor extracts, vibrant food colorings, and holiday-themed molds to create a sugar masterpiece every time.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 36 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon flavor extract vanilla, peppermint, or fruit flavors
  • 5 –10 drops food coloring of choice
  • Cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Grease a cookie sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water over medium heat.
  3. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves, then clip on a candy thermometer.
  4. Allow the mixture to boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F (the hard crack stage).
  5. Immediately remove from heat, stir in flavor extract and food coloring until fully blended.
  6. Carefully pour the hot syrup onto the prepared cookie sheet, spreading thinly.
  7. Let cool completely at room temperature (about 30 minutes).
  8. Break the cooled candy into pieces using your hands or a rolling pin.
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