Butterscotch Hard Candy

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. Cook: 30 min. + cooling

Makes

about 1-1/2 pounds

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
I love making this classic butterscotch recipe. We think these irresistible bites are better than the store-bought variety... and they sure don't last long! —Darlene Smithers, Elkhart, Indiana
Butterscotch Hard Candy Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon plus 1 cup butter, divided
  • 2-1/2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon rum extract

Directions

  1. Butter a 15x10x1-in. pan with 1 teaspoon butter; set aside. Cube remaining butter and set aside.
  2. In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat without stirring. Cook, uncovered, until a candy thermometer reads 270° (soft-crack stage). Add the honey, salt and remaining butter; stir constantly until the mixture reaches 300° (hard-crack stage).
  3. Remove from the heat. Stir in the rum extract. Pour into prepared pan without scraping; do not spread. Cool until the candy is almost set, 1-2 minutes. Score into 1-in. squares; cool completely. Break squares apart. Store in an airtight container.
Candy Thermometers
We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 144 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 109mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.