Christmas Hard Candy Recipe

Christmas Hard Candy Recipe Christmas Hard Candy Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 5

When you make a batch of this beautiful jewel-toned candy, your whole house fills with wonderful scents of mint or cinnamon. My mom always makes this candy, and people request it every year. She puts it in clear jars with a holiday calico fabric on the lid. Now I've started making it, too. -Jane Holman, Moultrie, Georgia

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Christmas Hard Candy Recipe
  • Prep: 5 min. Cook: 1 hour + cooling
  • Yield: 32 Servings
5 60 65

Ingredients

  • 3-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or peppermint oil
  • 1 teaspoon red or green food coloring

Directions

  • In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook on medium-high heat until candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage), stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in oil and food coloring, keeping face away from mixture as odor is very strong.
  • Immediately pour onto an oiled baking sheet. Cool; break into pieces. Store in airtight containers. Yield: about 2 pounds.

    Editor's Note: Cinnamon oil and peppermint oil are available in cake decorating and candy supply stores.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 piece) equals 114 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 13 mg sodium, 30 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 0 protein.

Originally published as Christmas Hard Candy in Taste of Home December/January 1995, p29

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Reviews for Christmas Hard Candy

Christmas Hard Candy Recipe

Christmas Hard Candy

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(1-8) of 8 reviews

Reviewed on Dec. 04, 2012 by emyluke2

I've made this every year since it came out in 1995. We make it all year for different parties, change the color and flavors, even use shaped trays for different occasions. So easy and now I have my daughter making it with me.

Reviewed on Feb. 12, 2012 by momof29

a family tradition!

Reviewed on May. 20, 2009 by gaggy42

I USE A PROFESSIONAL PIZZA CUTTER SPRAYED WITH COOKING SPRAY TO CUT THE CANDY. SOMETIMES THE CANDY CONTINUES TO CLOSE UP BUT I JUST KEEP GOING BACK AND  RECUTTING IT UNTIL IT STAYS CUT. THIS IS MUCH QUICKER THAN TRYING TO USE A KNIFE. HOPE  IT HELPS!

Reviewed on Dec. 07, 2008 by dkjjsmom

I learned to put cornstarch or powdered sugar onto a jelly roll pan then make small furrows running parrallel to the long edge about 2 inches apart. Pour the candy into the furrows. When candy cools just enough to touch. I pick up each "stick" and cut into 1 inch or bite sized pieces with kitchen shears. No hard edges and makes a pretty gift. I use anise, orange and lemon extract also.

Reviewed on Nov. 10, 2008 by bikenviken

I loved the flavor of these... but I also had trouble with the sharp edges... they often poked the inside of my mouth which made it raw... I tried to score them into squares before they completely cooled but I couldn't get through the whole batch before that happened... but the parts that were scored broke off easily into squares and made for much better eating. So, if somehow you could score the candy with a knife into squares fast enough there wouldn't have to be any fear of the razor sharp edges of some of the pieces. I hope that helps you a bit Midnight Angel.

Reviewed on Jun. 19, 2008 by Midnight Angel

Could this recipe be poured into oiled small, round candy molds?

I love the idea, simple ingredients and easy process. However, I'm concerned the cracked sheets could cause cutting of the throat if accidentally swallowed. I would love to gift this recipe as described by the author.

 Any feedback about this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Reviewed on Jun. 19, 2008 by SuzieP64

This is one of my FAVORITE hard candy! I used to make them every year for Christmas. It makes perfect christmas gifts too!

Reviewed on Dec. 16, 2007 by audrey427

 
 

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