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Christmas Hard Candy

Name: Christmas Hard Candy
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: about 2 pounds.
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

4 reviews

Contest Winner

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 5 min. Cook: 1 hour + cooling

Makes

about 2 pounds

When you make a batch of this beautiful jewel-toned candy, your whole house fills with the wonderful scent 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, Georgi

Christmas Hard Candy Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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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 the scent of the oil is very strong.
Immediately pour onto an oiled baking sheet. Cool; break into pieces. Store in airtight containers.

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

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 114 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 13mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.

Christmas Hard Candy

Total Time

Makes

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