Candy Canes
Create the magic of the holidays with these homemade Candy Canes—a festive treat perfect for gifting, decorating, or savoring with loved ones. This classic recipe combines simple ingredients like granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and peppermint extract to deliver that iconic sweet and refreshing flavor, while the soft crack candy method ensures professional-level results. With a touch of red food coloring and a bit of hands-on shaping, you'll craft stunning, striped candy canes that are both delicious and visually striking. Suitable for beginners and candy-making enthusiasts alike, the process is fun and rewarding, taking just 50 minutes from start to finish. Serve these handcrafted candy canes as a standalone treat, use them to garnish desserts, or hang them on your tree for festive flair. Perfect for the holiday season, these sweet, minty creations are guaranteed to bring joy!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Light corn syrup
- 0.5 cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Peppermint extract
- 0.5 teaspoon Red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon Vegetable oil
- 0.25 cup Powdered sugar
Instructions
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly grease them with vegetable oil. Set aside.
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Using a candy thermometer, cook the mixture without stirring until it reaches 290°F (soft crack stage). This may take about 20-25 minutes.
Once the mixture reaches the desired temperature, remove the pan from the heat immediately.
Stir in the peppermint extract and quickly divide the candy mixture into two heat-safe bowls. Be careful as the mixture is extremely hot.
Add red food coloring to one bowl and leave the other bowl clear. Stir to combine the coloring evenly.
Allow the candy mixtures to cool slightly until they are safe to handle but still pliable (this usually takes 3-5 minutes). Lightly oil your hands and work surface to prevent sticking.
Take a small piece of the clear candy and a similar-sized piece of the red candy. Roll each piece into a long, thin rope about 6 inches long. Twist the two ropes together to create the classic candy cane spiral.
Shape the twisted candy ropes into 'hook' shapes to form candy canes. Place them on the prepared baking sheets to set and harden completely.
Dust the cooled candy canes lightly with powdered sugar to prevent sticking during storage.
Store the candy canes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2377 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.4 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 38 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 610.9 g | 222% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Total Sugars | 610.3 g | ||
| Protein | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 8 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.0 mg | 0% | |
| Potassium | 1 mg | 0% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
