Cherry Candy
Indulge your sweet tooth with this vibrant and easy-to-make Cherry Candy recipe, a nostalgic treat perfect for gifting or enjoying as a bite-sized snack. Featuring just a handful of pantry staples—like granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water—this recipe brings the rich flavor of cherry extract to life, enhanced by a splash of red food coloring for that signature candy look. With step-by-step instructions to achieve the perfect "hard crack" stage, you'll craft beautifully glossy, melt-in-your-mouth pieces of hard candy in under 40 minutes. For an optional touch, dust the candy in powdered sugar for a classic, old-fashioned finish. Whether you're creating festive treats or satisfying a sweet craving, these dazzling red cherry candies are sure to impress both kids and adults alike.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Light corn syrup
- 0.5 cups Water
- 1 teaspoon Cherry extract
- 3 drops Red food coloring
- 0.25 cups Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with a neutral cooking spray. Set it aside for later use.
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Stir gently to mix the ingredients together before placing the pan on the heat.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely. Once it starts boiling, stop stirring to prevent crystallization.
Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Continue cooking the syrup until it reaches the 'hard crack' stage, or about 300°F (150°C). This will take approximately 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to overcook.
Remove the pan from the heat and quickly stir in the cherry extract and red food coloring. Mix until the color is evenly blended.
Carefully pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly or pour into candy molds if desired.
Allow the candy to cool completely and harden, about 10-15 minutes. Once cooled, break the candy into bite-sized pieces by hand or use a sharp knife.
Optional: Toss the candy pieces in powdered sugar to prevent sticking, or leave them as is for a glossy finish.
Store the cherry candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2345 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 37 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 612.2 g | 223% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Total Sugars | 611.4 g | ||
| Protein | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 7 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.0 mg | 0% | |
| Potassium | 8 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.
