Homemade Christmas Hard Candy

Get ready to stir up some holiday magic with our Christmas Hard Candy recipe. All you need is a few mason jars and ribbon, and you have a delicious homemade gift. It's time to melt hearts and delight taste buds with homemade sweetness that's as jolly as Santa himself!

Christmas Hard Candy Recipe

• Prep time: 10 mins

• Cook time: 15 mins

• Cooling time: 20 mins

• Total time: 45 mins

• Servings: 32

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray

• 2.5 cups granulated sugar

• 3/4 cup light corn syrup

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

• 1 Tbsp cherry extract (or strawberry, raspberry, or other “red” flavor)

• 1/2 tsp red gel food coloring

• 2 Tbsps powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

3. Allow the sugar mixture to come to a boil. Then, continue to boil the mixture without stirring until it reaches 305-310 °F and turns darker in color (this usually takes about 10-15 minutes).

4. Remove the pot from the heat, and add lemon juice, cherry extract, and food coloring. Stir to combine. 

5. Carefully pour the hot sugar mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. 

6. Let cool at room temperature for at least 20 minutes until hardened (this can take up to 45 minutes). 

7. Once cooled, sprinkle powdered sugar on top and break into individual-sized pieces, tossing in powdered sugar to prevent the candies from sticking together. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2

Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a medium saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 3

Allow the sugar mixture to come to a boil. Then, continue to boil the mixture without stirring until it reaches 305-310° F and turns darker in color (this usually takes about 10-15 minutes).

Step 4

Remove the pot from the heat, and add lemon juice, cherry extract, and food coloring. Stir to combine. 

Step 5

Carefully pour the hot sugar mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. 

Step 6

Let cool at room temperature for at least 20 minutes until hardened (this can take up to 45 minutes). 

Step 7

Once cooled, sprinkle powdered sugar on top and break into individual-sized pieces, tossing in powdered sugar to prevent the candies from sticking together. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. 

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