Cinnamon Rock Candy

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 25 min. + cooling

Makes

about 2 pounds

Updated: Dec. 17, 2023
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

Ingredients

  • 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

Directions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Break the candy into pieces using the edge of a metal mallet. Sprinkle both sides of candy with confectioners' sugar. Store in airtight container.



Test Kitchen Tips
  • Cinnamon oil can be found in some pharmacies or at kitchen and cake decorating supply stores.
  • Having trouble with your candy? Check our problem-solving guide.
  • 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 ounce-weight: 132 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 16mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.