Christmas Hard Candy

Christmas hard candy recipes are just what you need if you want to get your hands messy this year and have a bit of fun.

I've been adding some of my favorite candy making recipes and ideas from my old website, Chocolate Candy Mall, just in time for Christmas.

I must have been about 12 or 13 years old, the first time I learned to make hard candy from scratch.  In fact, I believe it was called 'hard tack,'  One of the ladies from our church invited us over and taught us how to work quickly to make a variety of flavors, and not burn our fingers. 

Well, at least not burn them much!  🤪

What? You want to buy hard Christmas candy instead of making it? No problem!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  Amazon has a great selection of Christmas hard candy choices to stuff your stockings or make your Christmas party a bit more festive.  They even have the old fashioned Christmas candy that is very nostalgic for some of us.  Ah, sweet memories!

Now back to the recipes for hard Christmas candy. This particular Christmas candy recipe is for people who want to make their hard Christmas candy from scratch.

Homemade Christmas Hard Candy
Stained Glass Candy Or Rock Candy

What you'll need to make your very own hard candy for Christmas:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 1/2 cups of light corn syrup
• 3 1/2 cups of white sugar
• 1 tablespoon of your favorite flavoring   *(see note)
  
• food coloring
• powdered sugar (icing sugar)

*Trust me when I say you want to buy good quality flavoring for your candy making.  Because the temperature is so high, you need flavorings that aren't going to lose their flavor.  LorAnn oils are some of the best, and a little goes a long way. You can thank me later.  😉

Directions:

1. Generously sprinkle a large marble slab (or baking trays) with powdered sugar
   
   
2. Combine water, sugar, and corn syrup in a heavy pan. Heat on high, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
   
   
3. Stop stirring and allow the mixture to boil until it reaches 310° F. on a candy thermometer.
   
   
4. Remove from heat. When the bubbling stops, stir in your chosen flavoring and coloring.
   
   
5. Pour candy onto the powdered sugar so that it spreads out in a big thin puddle. Allow it to cool slightly.
   
   
6. Cut in long strips with a cookie cutter and then, working quickly, snip into bite sized pieces with scissors. (I usually butter my hands to help reduce the chances of burnt fingers).
   
   
7. Roll each piece in the powdered sugar and store in an airtight jar or tin when cool. They look like little colored rocks!
   
   

More Ideas To Consider:

• An alternative way of making this Christmas hard candy is to pour the hot mixture directly into a greased pan and refrigerate to cool. Then break the candy into shattered pieces. Like pieces of stained glass.
  
  
• Place the rock candy in small jars or party favor bags and give as gifts for Christmas.  You can even call them Christmas gems!
  
  
• Making homemade Christmas hard candy can become a family tradition that you can enjoy with your children and grandchildren for years to come. 
  

Blessings,
         Angie