Every year around this time, I start making Hard Rock Candy!
My favorite is Cinnamon, my husband loves Banana. There are literally dozens of different flavors you can make this in. Watermelon, Strawberry, Lemon,Pina Colada, Bubble Gum,Rootbeer, Licorice, Apple, Peppermint and many more.
If you’re having a hard time finding the little bottles of flavored oilat your grocery store, look near the Pharmacy Counter. These bottles are so small that they’re easily picked up and put in pockets without being paid for (that’s what I was told was the reason they keep them at the pharmacy)
The recipe calls for 1 bottle but I normally put 2 bottles in each batch because I think it just kicks the flavor up a notch.
Today I made a batch of Banana
A candy thermometer is a MUST for this recipe.
Make sure you don’t have any distractions when you start making this because you can’t leave it until it’s done.
Startby pouring your Sugar, Light Corn Syrup and Water into a large heavy saucepan.
This is what it looks like at a full boil. You’ll think it’s NEVER going to reach 300 degrees but it does and it MUST so be patient. Just put your candy thermometer in the pan and watch for it to rise to 300 degrees. It takes about 10minutes from the time it starts to really boil.
After it’s reached 300 degrees, remove it from the heat and add whatever flavor you want, stirring constantly then add food coloring. I used yellow…DUH, it’s banana.
Here’s a tip….open your bottles of flavored oil and your food coloring BEFORE starting so you can pour both in immediately after it’s reached 300 degrees. You do NOT want this to set up on you before you’ve added everything to it.
Once you’ve added your flavoredoil and coloring, pour it into a well-buttered cookie sheet. Be careful….That cookie sheet will be HOT after you pour the mixture in.
Now here comes the tricky part. You don’t have to do it this way but since I’m a little more “anal” than most people, I score mine. The trick is knowing exactly when to start scoring. Too soon and it’s still too runny, too late and it’s already set up. I take the flat end of a spatula and score mine. Your arm is TIRED when you’re done but I think it’s worth it. You’ll have to score it over and over a few times because it tends to want to close back up on you.
Now, if you don’t want to score it, that’s fine too. Just let it harden up completely and take a knife and start pounding away on it until you break it up into bite-size pieces.
I sprinkle powdered sugar on it so it doesn’t stick together once it’s broken apart.
Now you can either leave it on the counter until it’s completely hard or you can do like I do and put it in your freezer for a few minutes.
Now the fun part…breaking it up. See how pretty!?!
I bought these little jars at The Dollar Tree. This batch makes enough to fill 2 jars completely full. Makes a really cute Christmas gift for a Teacher, Postman, Co-Worker, etc….OR you can keep it all to yourself and enjoy!!
This is Watermelon
HARD ROCK CANDY RECIPE
- 3-3/4 cups sugar
- 1-1/2 cups light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 or 2 bottles of flavored oil
- 10 drops of food coloring
In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat until a candy thermometer reads 300 degrees (hard-crack stage). Remove from the heat; add flavoring and food coloring. Pour into a well-buttered 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. cookie sheet.
If you plan on scoring it, wait for about 10-12 minutes. If not, let it completely set up, sprinkle some powdered sugar on it and break into bite-size pieces. I use the handle of a butter knife.
Store in a cool, dry place.
Each batch makes about 3 Lbs.
FAQs
All you need is sugar and water and a few basic materials you likely have around the house. Most of the steps involve making the sugar syrup and preparing the sticks and jars. While you should start to see changes within the first few hours, it may take three to seven days for the rock candy to form.
Why is my rock candy not hard? ›
You'll need to bring your sugar to the hard crack stage, which is 300°F; otherwise, it will not harden. Why is my rock candy not hardening? If your candy doesn't harden, even after sitting for a long time (it should only take 45 minutes, not much longer), it might be that your liquid never got hot enough.
What was rock candy invented for? ›
Islamic writers in the early 9th century described the early production of rock candy that was made by sugar crystals forming from the cooling of a highly-saturated sugar solution. This would create rock candy sticks, that were perfect for adding sweetness to tea.
Why is it called hard tack candy? ›
The name is derived from "tack", the British sailor slang for food.
Is hard candy good or bad for you? ›
While lower in both fat and calories when compared to many other sweets, hard candy may seem to pose no real threat. However, the continual stream of sugar that combines with your saliva as you suck the candy into oblivion is terrible for your teeth.
What is the hardest hard candy? ›
Jolly Ranchers are also the hardest of the hard candies—they're like concentrated and pressurized diamonds of fruity sugar. The endurance factor is also very strong; you can suck on a Jolly Rancher longer than any other candy on this list. It's an all-time classic hard candy.
Should you bite hard candy? ›
Just Say No to Hard Candy
The hard texture of the candy can cause severe damage to your teeth. If you get tired of sucking on a hard candy and decide to crunch it up by biting down on it, you could crack or chip a tooth or cause damage to previous dental work, such as fillings, dental bridges, or dental crowns.
What kind of sugar is in rock candy? ›
Rock sugar, also known as rock candy or sugar candy, is a hard confection made by cooling sugar syrup into large crystals, sometimes around a stick or piece of string. It can be made with different types of sugar, including white granulated sugar, sugar cane, and brown sugar.
Why is rock candy so expensive? ›
Rock candy is simplest and purest form of candy, which is produced from recrystallization of sugar. These candy is not easy to produce, owing to high operational cost and intense time. It is also a vital product to use in several beverage items to increase sweetness.
Is rock candy healthy? ›
Rock sugar is rich in vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. An important vitamin, vitamin B12, is also found in mishri in good amounts. These tiny forms of rock sugar are said to be a pretty healthy candy. Mishri is not only a healthier alternative to table sugar, but it also has a number of health benefits.
The first candy was used by the Ancient Egyptians for cult purposes. In ancient times, Egyptians, Arabs, and Chinese made candies with fruits and nuts that caramelized with honey. The two oldest candy types are licorice and ginger. The historical roots of licorice are found in the early years of man's appearance.
What do British people call hard candy? ›
A hard candy (American English), or boiled sweet (British English), is a sugar candy prepared from one or more sugar-based syrups that is heated to a temperature of 160 °C (320 °F) to make candy.
Why do soldiers carry candy? ›
Candies have played a significant role in the military, offering soldiers a taste of home and a source of comfort during challenging times. Each candy served a purpose beyond its flavors, from Tootsie Rolls and M&M's to Hershey's Field Ration D Bars and Charms.
Why did soldiers eat hardtack? ›
In addition, insects would sometimes lay their eggs in the hard tack giving it the nickname, “worm castles.” Hardtack was important for the men to eat- it gave them energy they needed, and it was a big piece of their diet- so they tried to find all kinds of different ways to eat it.
What are Jolly Ranchers hard candy made of? ›
JOLLY RANCHER candies are manufactured by creating a solution of corn syrup, sucrose, glucose, or fructose syrup that is boiled to a temperature of 160 °C/320F and cooled to create a supersaturated mixture that is roughly 2.5 percent water.
What chemicals are in hard candy? ›
In addition to sugar syrups, hard candy contains natural and artificial flavorings and malic or citric acid. Flavorings are used to add characteristic flavor and typically include combinations of fruit juice flavors, essential oils, and/or oleoresin, which are a mixture of resins and essential oils.
What is rock candy on a stick made of? ›
Rock sugar, also known as rock candy or sugar candy, is a hard confection made by cooling sugar syrup into large crystals, sometimes around a stick or piece of string. It can be made with different types of sugar, including white granulated sugar, sugar cane, and brown sugar.
Why is rock candy not a mineral? ›
For example, sugar which is organic, can make sugar crystals commonly called "rock candy." So not all crystals are minerals. Minerals have a definite chemical composition. Minerals are always composed of the same elements. Minerals are rarely composed of one element.
