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Edible gems.
We’ve been talking a lot around here about fun things we could cook that would be a little different. And, as we got further into the conversation what with the Holidays coming, the timing couldn’t have been better, we realized that some of our ideas would make great party favors or small gifts.
My nephew asked if I knew how to make rock candy. That’s when my sister yelled out “candy jewelry!” She hit upon something classic. The idea of trying to update this kids classic was daunting, but I think I rose to the challenge quite nicely.
It has been over 17 years since I last tried my hand at hard candies. Making them now, I’m reminded of my tiny kitchen in my first non-roommate apartment with no counter and only a small foldout table. There was a point during that early attempt, where I had the trays laid out on our 7 foot mustard yellow thrift store couch. In hindsight, this could have been a huge sugary disaster, but hey, I was young, you did whatever you had to do to get by.
Speaking of which, I’m realizing now, that I’m heading back to that devil-may-care attitude these days. I’m so enamored with posting everything that I make right now, that I’m pushing myself to find the time and creativity to make something new and better each time.
Hard Candy Recipe
Ingredients:
Special Equipment:
Method:
We’ve been talking a lot around here about fun things we could cook that would be a little different. And, as we got further into the conversation what with the Holidays coming, the timing couldn’t have been better, we realized that some of our ideas would make great party favors or small gifts.
My nephew asked if I knew how to make rock candy. That’s when my sister yelled out “candy jewelry!” She hit upon something classic. The idea of trying to update this kids classic was daunting, but I think I rose to the challenge quite nicely.
It has been over 17 years since I last tried my hand at hard candies. Making them now, I’m reminded of my tiny kitchen in my first non-roommate apartment with no counter and only a small foldout table. There was a point during that early attempt, where I had the trays laid out on our 7 foot mustard yellow thrift store couch. In hindsight, this could have been a huge sugary disaster, but hey, I was young, you did whatever you had to do to get by.
Speaking of which, I’m realizing now, that I’m heading back to that devil-may-care attitude these days. I’m so enamored with posting everything that I make right now, that I’m pushing myself to find the time and creativity to make something new and better each time.
Hard Candy Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup light Corn Syrup¼ cup Water
- ¾ tsp extract of choice (I used lemon)Food coloring
Special Equipment:
- Parchment paper
- Non-stick Cooking Spray
- Lollipop and Hard Candy Molds
- Quilter’s PinsDisposable Sheet Pans
- Candy Thermometer
- Colorful Thread for stringing
Method:
- Lay down parchment paper on your work surface, it will make clean up so much easier.
- Put pins in the molds and attach the molds to the sheet pans.Spray the molds with the non-stick cooking spray.
- Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a saucepan.Place the pan over medium-heat and insert the candy thermometer.
- Do not stir.Heat the mixture to 295 degrees and remove the pan from the heat.
- Stir in extract and food coloring at this point.Fill the candy molds with the mixture. I used metal spoons, but if you can create some kind of piping method, that would be great.
- Allow the hard candies to cool completely.Carefully remove the candies from the molds.
- Immediately thread a needle and string the candies as a pendant.
- Package individually in waxed paper or small glassine envelopes.
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Signing UpStep 1Prepare the Molds
- Lay down parchment paper on your work surface, it will make clean up so much easier.
- Put pins in the molds and attach the molds to the sheet pans.
- Spray the molds with the non-stick cooking spray.
The most challenging part was to figure out how to get a hole into the hard candy. After a bit of research, I located the hard candy molds at Sur La Table and started experimenting. The solution was simple.
The molds are just pliable enough to allow a pin to be pushed into it. There needs to be enough space between the pin and the edge of the mold so that syrup can be poured behind the pin to ensure that the candy won’t break when the pin is removed. It's a good idea to also wiggle the pins a bit so the hole is large enough to get a needle through.
To balance the molds, I placed them on top of the disposable sheet pans and pushed the pins through the pans. The sheet pans also allow the air to circulate which helps the candies cool more quickly.
Next step was to coat the molds and pins with the non-stick cooking spray. The spray is kind of messy, so make sure that you keep a damp cloth on hand to wipe up any extra.
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Sur la Table and Williams -Sonoma also sell them. Good luck!
obviously but needed :) :) :)
Nice Idea :)
Thanks for sharing - awesome idea!
Sunshiine
Also, crushed jolly ranchers melt nicely in the microwave, for anyone who doesn't want to deal with trying to get that perfect temperature for hard candy. :)