Description
This classic Hard Tack Candy recipe produces hard, sweet, and colorful candy pieces flavored with your choice of oil flavorings. Perfect for homemade candy gifts or satisfying a nostalgic sweet tooth, it requires simple ingredients and careful boiling to achieve the perfect texture and shine.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3¾ cups sugar
- 1½ cups light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon food coloring
- 1 bottle oil flavorings (variety of flavors)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a non-stick pan on the stove, mix the corn syrup, sugar, and water together evenly.
- Dissolve Sugar: Turn the heat to medium and stir continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved. Avoid stirring after this point to prevent crystallization.
- Bring to Rolling Boil: Allow the mixture to come to a rolling boil. Monitor the temperature with a candy thermometer closely.
- Add Coloring: When the thermometer reads 260 degrees Fahrenheit, add the food coloring. Do not stir—let the boiling motion mix it.
- Boil to Hard Crack Stage: Continue boiling until the temperature reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit, then remove the pan from heat and let the boiling subside without stirring.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in your chosen oil flavorings quickly and evenly with a wooden spoon.
- Pour Candy: Immediately pour the hot candy mixture onto a large cookie sheet that has been either greased well or dusted with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Cool Candy: Let the candy cool at room temperature undisturbed. Do not refrigerate as this may cause cracking.
- Break into Pieces: Once fully set, use a knife or another sturdy tool to break the candy into chunks.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Place the candy chunks in a ziplock bag with one tablespoon of powdered sugar. Shake the bag gently to coat pieces and prevent sticking.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer for accurate temperature readings as precise heating is crucial.
- Do not stir the candy mixture after the sugar dissolves to avoid grainy texture.
- Greasing or coating the pan with powdered sugar helps in easy candy removal once set.
- Allow candy to cool completely at room temperature instead of refrigerating to maintain perfect texture.
- Variety of oil flavorings can be used such as peppermint, lemon, or cinnamon for personalized candy flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
