Old Time Hard Candy
Transport yourself to a bygone era with this classic Old Time Hard Candy recipe—a true confectionery delight that's as fun to make as it is to eat! Featuring a simple mix of pantry staples like granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water, this timeless treat gets its vibrant personality from customizable candy flavoring oils and liquid food coloring. With just 15 minutes of prep and a journey to the "hard crack stage" at 300°F, you'll create shiny, jewel-like candies that are perfect for gifting, holiday celebrations, or nostalgic snacking. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for a professional touch, these sweet, crackly morsels are easy to break into bite-sized pieces for sharing. Whether you choose bold peppermint, fruity cherry, or tart lemon flavors, this homemade hard candy recipe is sure to become your go-to for creating edible memories.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Light corn syrup
- 0.5 cup Water
- 1 teaspoon Candy flavoring oil (your choice of flavor)
- 5 drops Liquid food coloring
- 0.25 cup Powdered sugar
Instructions
Prepare a large baking sheet by lightly greasing it with oil or lining it with parchment paper. Sprinkle a thin layer of powdered sugar over the surface to prevent sticking.
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Stir briefly to combine the ingredients.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and attach a candy thermometer to the side, ensuring the tip does not touch the bottom of the pan.
Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring. Continue cooking until the temperature reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). This will take approximately 20-25 minutes, depending on your stove.
Once the mixture reaches 300°F, immediately remove the pan from the heat. Carefully and quickly stir in the candy flavoring oil and food coloring. Be cautious as the mixture will release strong fumes.
Pour the hot candy mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it evenly and thinly with a heatproof spatula if needed.
Allow the candy to cool completely at room temperature, which will take about 15-20 minutes.
Once hardened, break the candy into small pieces using a clean, hard object like the back of a spoon or a knife handle.
Optionally, toss the broken candy pieces in a small amount of powdered sugar to prevent them from sticking together.
Store the hard candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two months.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2360 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 3.8 g | 5% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.8 g | 4% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 38 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 607.5 g | 221% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Total Sugars | 606.9 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.
