How to Make Rock Candy

Course: candy, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 20

Servings:

Calories: 283kcal

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!

½ cup water 114 grams
¾ cup light corn syrup 234 grams
2 cups granulated sugar 400 grams
2 teaspoons flavoring extract 8 grams (I chose raspberry, but there are lots of flavors to choose from!)
Food coloring optional (I used blue, but use any color!)

Mix all ingredients together in a medium saucepan set over medium heat.
½ cup water, ¾ cup light corn syrup, 2 cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons flavoring extract, Food coloring
Stir until boiling. Once the liquid begins to boil, do not stir until finished.
While the candy comes to a boil, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Once boiling, place a candy thermometer in the liquid and monitor closely. when the liquid reaches 300°F, 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 the prepared baking sheet.
Allow to cool until fully hardened. Then, break apart to the size desired.

Pro Tip: I had a reader comment that a great way to keep them from sticking is shaking them in powdered sugar before sealing them in an airtight container. Genius!
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.
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.

Storage: Store rock candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. Keep away from heat and humidity.