Homemade Candy Canes Recipe
Learn how to make classic homemade candy canes with a simple mixture of sugar, corn syrup, and peppermint extract. These festive treats feature a beautiful swirl of red and white and are perfect for holiday gifting or decorating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 medium-sized candy canes 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Candy Mixture
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
Flavor and Color
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Red gel food coloring (optional, for the red swirl)
Instructions
- Prepare Workspace: Line baking sheets with parchment paper and grease a marble slab or clean countertop surface to use for shaping the candy. This will prevent sticking and make handling easier.
- Cook Candy Mixture: In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Stir gently just until the sugar dissolves, then avoid stirring and bring the mixture to a hard crack stage, reaching 300°F (149°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Flavor & Color: Remove the saucepan from heat. Quickly stir in the peppermint extract. Divide the mixture if desired, and add a few drops of red gel food coloring to one portion to create the traditional red stripe in your candy canes.
- Shape Candy Canes: Pour the candy mixture onto the greased surface. Allow it to cool just enough to handle without burning your hands. Pull and twist the candy into thin ropes, combining the colored and white sections to form stripes. Shape each rope into the distinctive candy cane hooks.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the shaped candy canes onto the parchment-lined baking sheets. Let them cool and harden completely for at least 4 hours or overnight before handling or packaging.
Notes
- Use a reliable candy thermometer to ensure the mixture reaches the hard crack stage for proper candy texture.
- Be cautious when handling hot sugar mixture to avoid burns.
- Greasing your work surface well is crucial to prevent sticking during shaping.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without watering down the candy.
- Store candy canes in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent them from becoming sticky.
Keywords: homemade candy canes, peppermint candy, holiday candy, sugar candy, Christmas treats
Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/homemade-candy-canes-recipe/
