Best 6 Hard Rock Candy Recipes

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Indulge in a nostalgic treat with our comprehensive guide to making hard rock candy, a timeless confection that delights taste buds of all ages. Explore various recipes that cater to different flavors and preferences, ranging from classic clear rock candy to vibrant fruit-infused variations. Discover the art of creating these shimmering gems, perfect for adding a sweet touch to parties, gift baskets, or simply enjoying as a homemade treat. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, embark on a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into mesmerizing edible jewels.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

CINNAMON ROCK CANDY



Cinnamon Rock Candy image

My mother taught me how to make rock candy with this hard cinnamon candy. Now I fix it for my own family and to give as gifts at Christmas. -Marganne Winter Oxley, Klamath Falls, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield about 2 pounds.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup water
3-3/4 cups sugar
1-1/4 cups light corn syrup
1 teaspoon red liquid food coloring
1 teaspoon cinnamon oil
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with foil; butter the foil and set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine water, sugar, corn syrup and food coloring. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes to dissolve sugar crystals. , Uncover; cook on medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage), about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in cinnamon oil (keep face away from mixture as oil is very strong). Immediately pour onto prepared pan. Cool completely, about 45 minutes. , Break the candy into pieces using the edge of a metal mallet. Sprinkle both sides of candy with confectioners' sugar. Store in airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 132 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 16mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (30g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

OLD FASHIONED HARD CANDY



Old Fashioned Hard Candy image

Home made hard candy is a great gift idea! Use different colors and flavorings to match the season.

Provided by YVETTE MOORE

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 6

½ cup confectioners' sugar for dusting
2 cups white sugar
1 cup water
⅔ cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon peppermint oil, or other flavored oil
1 teaspoon any color food coloring

Steps:

  • Generously coat a cookie sheet with confectioners' sugar, and set aside.
  • In a heavy bottomed saucepan, stir together the white sugar, water and corn syrup until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil over medium-high and cook to a temperature of 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads. Remove from heat, and stir in the flavored oil and food coloring.
  • Immediately pour the sugar mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet in a thin stream (this helps it cool). When the candy is cool enough for the outer edge to hold its shape, cut into bite size pieces with scissors. Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 150.1 calories, Carbohydrate 39.2 g, Sodium 8.5 mg, Sugar 32.3 g

HARD CANDY



Hard Candy image

An easy recipe for hard candy. The hardest part is waiting for the sugar to reach the proper temperature. Be patient and use a candy thermometer for perfect candy. This recipe can easily be adjusted by using different flavored extracts and food colorings.

Provided by JUDITH SYNESAEL

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 ¾ cups white sugar
1 ½ cups light corn syrup
1 cup water
1 tablespoon orange, or other flavored extract
½ teaspoon food coloring
¼ cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, stir together the white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil. Without stirring, heat to 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads.
  • Remove from heat and stir in flavored extract and food coloring, if desired. Pour onto a greased cookie sheet, and dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Let cool, and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 123.6 calories, Carbohydrate 32.2 g, Sodium 8.5 mg, Sugar 25.3 g

OLD FASHIONED HARD CANDY



Old Fashioned Hard Candy image

A dusting of confectioner's sugar gives a frosty look to this old-fashioned holiday candy from field editor Amy Short of Lesage, West Virginia. "The color is beautiful and people are surprised by the wonderful watermelon flavor!" Amy says.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 2 pounds.

Number Of Ingredients 6

3-3/4 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 cup water
2 to 3 drops red food coloring or color of your choice
1/4 teaspoon watermelon flavoring or flavoring of your choice
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Butter two 15x10x1-in. pans; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water and food coloring. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage). , Remove from the heat; stir in flavoring. Immediately pour into prepared pans; cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar; break into pieces. Store in airtight containers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 283 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 38mg sodium, Carbohydrate 74g carbohydrate (65g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

EASY MICROWAVE HARD CHRISTMAS ROCK CANDY



Easy Microwave Hard Christmas Rock Candy image

This is a recipe I have perfected over the years...and it is so darn easy and fast compared to the old "boil to hard ball stage recipes"...I just made 3 different kinds of flavors and it takes about 10 minutes per flavor....follow the directions exactly...and be careful and use oven mits.. UPDATE: Microwaves vary so be sure to get a good boil especially the first time. In my new microwave it takes 4 minutes each step in microwave. Also the flavoring you should use the whole 1 dram.

Provided by CIndytc

Categories     Candy

Time 19m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon lorann flavoring oil (1 dram)
food coloring (optional)

Steps:

  • Use a good heavy glass bowl such as a pyrex brand. Grease a 11 X 15 inch jelly roll pan. Mix sugar and corn syrup into microwave safe glass bowl. Cover with plastic wrap such as Saran Wrap tightly.
  • Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Take out carefully, remove plastic wrap and stir. Put on a new piece of plastic wrap and microwave another 3 minutes. Take out carefully and stir again. Put on another new piece of plastic wrap and microwave another 3 minutes -- Take out again, remove plastic wrap, add oil carefully and food coloring if using and stir -- pour into your greased jelly roll pan and spread out onto sheet -- you can sprinkle powdered sugar over top if desired -- place in a cool place to harden -- after it hardens break up into pieces and store in airtight container -- Enjoy -- .

Nutrition Facts : Calories 255.3, Fat 0.5, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 21.5, Carbohydrate 66.2, Sugar 49

HARD CANDY



Hard Candy image

Every evening for a week in December, my husband and I mix up several batches of this soothing candy. When we finish, we have all our favorite flavors and a rainbow of colors. The pieces look lovely in a clear candy dish or jar.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 3/4 pound.

Number Of Ingredients 6

5 to 6 cups confectioners' sugar
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 to 2 teaspoons anise, lemon or orange extract
Red, yellow or orange liquid food coloring, optional

Steps:

  • Fill a 15x10x1-in. pan with confectioners' sugar to a depth of 1/2 in. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, make a continuous curved-line indentation in the sugar; set pan aside. , In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and continue cooking for 3 minutes to dissolve any sugar crystals., Uncover and cook on medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage). Remove from the heat; stir in extract and food coloring if desired. , Carefully pour into a glass measuring cup. Working quickly, pour into prepared indentation in pan. Cover candy with confectioners' sugar. When candy is cool enough to handle, cut into pieces with a scissors. Store in a covered container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 383 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 26mg sodium, Carbohydrate 99g carbohydrate (89g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

Tips:

  • Use heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching.
  • Use a candy thermometer to accurately measure the temperature of the sugar mixture.
  • Stir the sugar mixture constantly to prevent crystallization.
  • Add corn syrup or cream of tartar to prevent crystallization.
  • If the sugar mixture crystallizes, reheat it slowly until the crystals dissolve.
  • Pour the sugar mixture onto a greased baking sheet or marble slab to cool.
  • Break the hard candy into pieces using a hammer or rolling pin.
  • Store the hard candy in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Conclusion:

Making hard rock candy is a fun and easy project that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create your own delicious and colorful hard candy. So next time you have a sweet craving, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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