Hard Candy Recipe – American Special

This hard candy recipe is versatile—you can customize it with various flavored extracts and food colorings. The most challenging part is waiting for the sugar to reach the correct temperature. Exercise patience and rely on a candy thermometer for flawless results.

  • Prep Time5 min
  • Cook Time25 min
  • Perform Time15 min
  • Total Time45 min

Hard Candy Ingredients:

  • Cooking spray
  • 3 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ cups light corn syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon orange or other flavored extract
  • ½ teaspoon food coloring (optional)
  • ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar for dusting

How to make Hard Candy Recipe:

1

Prepare a cookie sheet by greasing it with cooking spray.

2

In a medium saucepan, combine white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then bring the mixture to a boil.

3

Without stirring, continue boiling until the temperature reaches 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads.

4

Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully stir in the flavored extract and food coloring.

5

Pour the hot mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. Sprinkle the top with confectioners’ sugar.

6

Allow the candy to cool until it hardens, approximately 15 minutes. Break it into about 36 pieces and store in an airtight container.