How to Make Rock Candy at Home

Making rock candy is a great intro to being crafty in the kitchen. It’s a fun project for scientists of any age—and learning how to make rock candy is the perfect rainy day activity.

How to Make Rock Candy

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 4 cups sugar, plus 1/2 cup for coating
• ½ to 1 teaspoon flavoring
• 2-4 drops food coloring
• Wooden skewers
• Mason jars

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the saucepan

Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Add the sugar one cup at a time, making sure to stir now and then. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and put it off to the side to cool.

Step 2: Add some flavor

Add your flavor to the sugar solution. Fruity flavors like orange, strawberry or cherry are always big hits, but almond or lavender are delicious grown-up options as well. This is also the perfect time to add a few drops of food coloring.

Step 3: Prep your skewers

While the sugar-water mixture is cooling, wash out a few mason jars. Take your wooden skewers and carefully dip them into the sugar solution. Pour the extra sugar on a plate and roll the skewers in sugar to coat them. Finally, clip a clothespin to each skewer—this will let you hang them in your jars or glasses.

Step 4: Let the magic unfold

Once completely cooled, fill each jar with the remaining sugar solution. Place one sugar-coated stick in each jar while being careful not to let them touch the jar itself.

Step 5: Wait three to seven days

Gently cover the jars with plastic wrap to make sure no unwanted bugs wing their way in. Leaving the skewers in the solution longer will make the rock candy larger.

Step 6: Eat the candy!

Unwrap the jars and remove the skewers. They should be chunky, sugary and ready to eat! Don’t forget to check out our collection of Halloween cupcakes.

Notes from the Kitchen:

• If you don’t have mason jars: Water glasses or even plastic cups will do the trick as long as they’re large enough to suspend the skewers.
• If your rock candy is stuck to the jar: Simply pop the jar in warm water for a couple of minutes. This should soften the sugar enough that you can ease your rock candy out.

Feeling inspired to craft more homemade treats? Check out our Tie-Dyed Cupcakes!

Super Fun Cupcake Ideas for Kids

1 / 20

Eyes On YouLook out! This crazy cupcake only has eyes for you. Don't worry though, he's delicious! —Karen Tack, Riverside, Connecticut

Go to Recipe

Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Cone CupcakesI created this recipe based on our family's love of chocolate-dipped ice cream cones. Red heart-shaped sprinkles make them fun for Valentine's Day. Vary the color to match the occasion. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

Go to Recipe

5 Creative Uses for Cupcake Liners

Have extra cupcake liners after your baking extravaganza? Here's what to do with them.

Candy CupcakesRich chocolaty cupcakes include a cream cheese surprise. Get kids in on the fun by letting them help decorate. ‐Mrs. Walter Jacobson, Ashland, Ohio

Go to Recipe

Rainbow CupcakesI’ve been making these colorful cupcakes with my mom since I was in high school. The cheery sweets are as fun to make as they are to eat. —Tammy Quinn, Lynden, Ontario

Go to Recipe

Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate CupcakesSatisfy your chocolate craving with these cupcakes. The creamy frosting topped with chopped peanut butter cups is the best part. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

Strawberry Muffin ConesThis is a delightful, fun way to serve a cupcake. I share these with the neighborhood kids and they love the ice cream cone look and ease of eating. Adults who try them say snacking on them makes them feel like kids again. —Barb Kietzer, Niles, Michigan

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Sunshine CupcakesWant to put a smile on someone's face? Look no further than these cheery cupcakes! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

Bat CupcakesEven my adult children love these Halloween cupcakes! We serve them every year at our pumpkin-carving party. You can also make them with the fudge stripes on their wings facing up for variety. —Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota

Go to Recipe

Patriotic Ice Cream CupcakesThese frosty cupcakes are practically a fireworks display on their own. The little treats feature red velvet cake, blue moon ice cream, a creamy white topping and star-spangled sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen. Have you seen this cupcake hack? Anne Hathaway is showing us all how to eat a cupcake the right way.

Go to Recipe

Boston Cream CupcakesBoston cream cupcakes have been my favorite bakery treat since I was a child, so I put together this easy-to-make version. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Go to Recipe

St. Patrick’s Day CupcakesThese St. Patrick's Day cupcakes go super-quick. The pistachio pudding mix gives them a mild flavor and their pretty pastel color makes them a perfect dessert for this lively holiday. —Kathy Meyer, Almond, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Chocolate CupcakesThis classic recipe is simply amazing. Try sitting down with a glass of cold milk and see if you can eat just one! —Marlene Martin, Country Harbour Mines, Nova Scotia

Go to Recipe

Tie-Dyed CupcakesTake a trip back to the '60s with these sweetly psychedelic cupcakes. Each is a simple white cake, but tinting the batter all the colors of the rainbow makes them funky and fun!— Gwyndolyn Wilkerson, Kyle, Texas

Go to Recipe

Peanut Butter & Jelly CupcakesMy husband's love for classic peanut butter and jelly inspired this recipe. The strawberry buttercream and peanut butter frosting are a delicious combination. —Kelly McCrea, North Kingsville, Ohio

Go to Recipe