Peppermint Hard Candy

Name: Peppermint Hard Candy
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: about 1-1/4 pounds.
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter; 2 cups sugar; 1 cup light corn syrup; 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 6 to 8 drops green food coloring, optional

This easy-to-make clear hard candy has a mint flavor from the combination of peppermint and vanilla extracts. It's a perfect Christmas candy recipe for the holidays. &Mdash; Lois Ostenson, Aneta, North Dakota

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 to 8 drops green food coloring, optional

Directions

Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil. Grease the foil with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes to dissolve sugar crystals. Uncover; cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage).
Remove from the heat; stir in extracts and food coloring. Pour into prepared pan. Cool; break into pieces. Store in airtight containers.

Editor's Note

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.