Rock Candy is such a fun treat to make and eat for holidays, parties, or any fun occasion. Learn how to make Rock Candy at home for something special to share with the family. I chose to make a blue raspberry candy, but you can make any color or flavor you like with this quick-and-easy homemade Rock Candy!
Table of Contents
Rock Candy
Making rock candy is surprisingly easy! I never thought I’d end up making my own candy, but this little DIY was so much fun. I wanted to make blue candy in honor of the Breaking Bad finale, and this recipe was just the thing.
It’s so simple to make a sheet of this hard candy and then break it into pieces. It’s up to you: make larger pieces, or crush it up small, so it looks more like traditional rock candy.
I made blue raspberry candy (which is a great flavor and color combo), but you can choose any color or flavor you want with this rock candy recipe. Follow the same simple method, and add in your preferred flavor extract and food coloring.
Making this rock candy at home is such a fun experience and it is a really cool party treat! Both kids and adults love this stuff!
Why you’ll love this Homemade Rock Candy:
- It’s so fun and so delicious. Kids of all ages will have fun making it, and everyone will be happy to help eat it!
- You can customize it. Any color, any flavor you like!
- It’s quick. Less than an hour and it’s ready. (Much faster than traditional Rock Candy!)
Rock Candy Ingredients
- Water
- Sugar
- Light Corn syrup
- Flavoring extract (any flavor you want)
- Food Coloring (any color)
You can choose any color and flavor combination you like!
- Make green candy for St. Patty’s Day (with lime or sour flavor).
- Make orange and black rock candy for Halloween parties.
- Make red strawberry candy for summer days.
- Or just make your favorite flavor and color combo!
How to Make Rock Candy
This easy recipe shows you how to make rock candy sheets in about an hour. It’s a fast way to make it, and you can make any color or flavor with this method.
- Mix the ingredients together, and boil to reach 300 degrees F.
- Remove from heat and let it cool just until bubbles stop breaking at the surface and pour it onto a baking sheet (lined with foil and non-stick spray).
- Once it has completely cooled and hardened (about 30-45 minutes), you can break it apart and eat!
How long does it take to make rock candy?
With this method, making rock candy takes only 20 minutes, plus cooling time (usually 30-45 minutes for it to harden).
How do you break up hard candy sheets?
- To turn the sheet of candy into small pieces, it’s easiest to use a metal mallet (like a meat tenderizer). Just hit the sheet with it until it breaks into pieces.
- If you want to make it look more like rock candy, place those pieces into a bag, and use a rolling pin to crush them up even smaller.
How do you stop Rock Candy from sticking together?
Place the candy pieces into a resealable bag, pour in some powdered sugar, and shake it up to coat the candy. Do this before storing, and they won’t stick!
The great thing about hard candy is that it really lasts! Well, assuming you don’t eat it all.
- Place the candy in an airtight container to store it. (Try the powdered sugar tip above.)
- Store it at room temperature, ideally in a pantry or cupboard where it’s slightly cooler.
- You can keep it for weeks!
Why isn’t my candy hardening?
If your candy doesn’t harden, even after sitting for a long time (it should only take 45 minutes, not much longer), it might be that your liquid never got hot enough.
It’s important that the temperature reaches 300°F while cooking the syrup. And the best way to make sure it gets hot enough is to use a candy thermometer to check. This is not the time for guessing!
This was such a fun recipe to make! I can’t wait to make different colors and flavors for holiday parties, and it will be a fun thing to make for kids’ parties.
Be sure to try these other candy treats:
- Candy Rice Krispy Treats
- Gingerbread House White Chocolate Bark
- Fantasy Fudge Recipe
- Crockpot Turtle Candy
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Rock Candy
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tsp flavoring extract I chose raspberry, but there are lots of flavors to choose from!
- food coloring I used blue, but use any color!
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a medium saucepan.
- Stir until boiling. Once the liquid begins to boil, do not stir until finished.
- Once boiling, place a candy thermometer in the liquid and monitor closely. when the liquid reaches 300 degrees, take off the heat and set aside.
- Allow the mixture to cool until the bubbles quit breaking at the surface of the liquid.
- Pour liquid onto a foil-lined (and non-stick-sprayed) baking sheet.
- Allow to cool until fully hardened. Then break apart to the size desired.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- TIP: I had a reader comment that a great way to keep them from sticking is shaking them in powdered sugar before sealing in an airtight container. GENIUS!
Nutrition Information
Kids loved the Blue Color and, I used Lemon Flavoring.
Thanks for sharing, Susan!
You can also use this recipe for lollipops
I love baking and making candy I’m trying to teach my grandchildren it doesn’t have to be a an occasion make something everyday
Your grandkids will love it!
I hated the taste. It tasted burnt. Mine turned green and it was at 300 degrees but, cooled quickly and was easy.
I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy this one!
Just made this! And it is awesome and so easy! I will actually use this rock candy as the gems in my geode cake later this week! I used lemon extract in mine and it is delicious! Thank you!!
That sounds awesome!! I’m glad you enjoyed making this!!
How much food coloring did you use? Paste or liquid? Does the color change as the syrup hardens?
Thank you for any help.
I just did the eyeball test. It should pretty much stay the same as it hardens. Enjoy!
This was super awesome I hope it hardens for me if not it’ll be great for rock candy sticks.
How far in advance can I make this and how should I store it?
Hi Amy! I would say maybe one or two days so it doesn’t get sticky, and make sure its in an airtight container. Should be fine! Thanks for stopping by!
Becky thanks very much for this great recipe and helpful hints. The suggestion about checking the thermometer accuracy was right on in my case. My first attempt I made it I cooked it right to 300 degrees and it came out very sticky and flimsy. Upped it to 310 on my thermometer and it came out perfect. Thanks again.
Glad it worked out!!! Thanks for saying hi :)
Mom always shook it in powdered sugar so it didn’t stick together.
That is SO smart. I’m definitely doing it that way next time.
Hi, this is great! What kind of raspberry extract display you use?
So awesome! So glad you tried the candy and that it worked well. I can’t believe the show is over either…now what will I obsess about? :)
I agree!!! loved your recipe…I have never made anything like that before and you made it so easy!!
I can’t believe the show is over either. I might start watching it again from the beginning haha!
Hi,
Thanks for the recipe, I’ve tried it but unfortunately the candy didn’t harden, it’s been setting overnight and it’s still in liquid state. One possibility could be that as I did not have a thermometer, I let it boil for a few minutes and then set it aside to cool down. How long does it take from when boiling breaks till it reaches 300? Could this be the cause?
Thanks in advance for any suggestion you may have!
I would love to know the response to this question, I don’t have a thermometer for candy making either… thank you. xxx
Hey guys. This was my first (and only) time making candy, and the thermometer was a huge help. I think that probably was the issue, that it didn’t get hot enough to harden. Here’s a video I found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBwnSZU5Vgo and an article that might help: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4779209_making-candy-thermometer.html Also the original recipe I used is linked in the text of the blog post and it might be helpful. Thanks for stopping by!!