Description
Sweet Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy brings fiery spice and nostalgic charm to classic confectionery. Homemade candies deliver intense cinnamon flavor with a satisfying crunch that delights sugar enthusiasts who crave bold, spicy treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup (160 milliliters) light corn syrup
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) water
Flavoring and Coloring:
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon oil (or more for extra heat)
- ½ teaspoon red food coloring (gel or liquid)
Finishing Ingredient:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare a clean, spacious workspace by laying parchment paper on a baking sheet or lightly coating it with butter to prevent sticking.
- Select a heavy-bottomed saucepan and combine sugar, corn syrup, and water, placing it over medium heat.
- Gently stir the mixture until sugar completely dissolves, then cease stirring and allow the liquid to reach a rolling boil.
- Monitor the temperature carefully using a candy thermometer, watching for the mixture to climb to 300F (hard crack stage), which typically requires 10-15 minutes of consistent heating.
- Immediately remove the saucepan from heat and cautiously incorporate cinnamon oil and red food coloring, being mindful of potential eye irritation from the potent cinnamon essence.
- Swiftly pour the molten candy onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring an even distribution.
- Allow the candy to rest undisturbed for approximately 30 minutes, permitting it to cool and solidify completely.
- Once hardened, fracture the candy into irregular fragments using a mallet or sharp knife.
- Optional: Dust the broken pieces with a light coating of powdered sugar to prevent adhesion and enhance presentation.
Notes
- Prioritize safety when handling hot sugar syrup by wearing long sleeves and using heat-resistant gloves to prevent potential burns.
- Choose a high-quality candy thermometer for precise temperature control, ensuring the perfect hard crack stage without burning the mixture.
- Consider using silicone mats instead of parchment paper for easier candy removal and a more non-stick surface.
- Experiment with different natural food colorings like beet juice for a vibrant red color without artificial additives.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg