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5.0 from 36 votes

Homemade Hard Candy Recipe

With only a few ingredients, anyone can make this delicious and sweet homemade hard candy recipe. It's simple to make and can be modified with different colors and flavors! Follow this easy hard candy recipe and the step-by-step instructions. Changing the flavor is simple and delicious!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 16 people
Calories: 144 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • ⅔ cup corn syrup
  • ¾ cup water
  • Food Coloring if desired
  • 1 teaspoon flavoring oil if desired (I use cinnamon.)
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a 3 quart saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water.
  2. Over medium heat, stir just until the sugar is dissolved. Do not stir again.
  3. Heat until the mixture reaches 260 degrees F.
  4. Add food coloring, if desired.
  5. Continue to boil until the mixture reaches 300 degrees F.
  6. Remove from heat and add flavoring oil, if desired. Do not lean over the pot when you add the oil!! The steam can burn.
  7. Stir until combined.
  8. Pour into a quarter baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment.
  9. Let the candy sit so it can harden. Break into bite-sized pieces and toss with powdered sugar.
  10. OR pour into candy molds and allow to harden.
  11. OR pour free-form candies onto parchment paper. I find this is easier after the mixture has cooled just slightly, about 1 minute.

Notes

  • You can use extract rather than flavoring oil, but I recommend oils as they provide a more potent and bright flavor!
  • Before you pour the candy mixture onto the baking sheet, you will first need to either spray it with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to avoid sticking. 
  • Rather than pouring the candy onto a baking sheet for free-form candies, you can also pour the mixture into silicone candy molds and allow it to harden into different shapes.
  • Soaking anything with hard candy on it in warm water will dissolve the candy and make it easier to clean.
  • You can use extract rather than flavoring oil, but I recommend oils as they provide a more potent and bright flavor!
  • Before you pour the candy mixture onto the baking sheet, you will first need to either spray it with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper to avoid sticking. 
  • Rather than pouring the candy onto a baking sheet for free-form candies, you can also pour the mixture into silicone candy molds and allow it to harden into different shapes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 144kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 37g (12%) Sodium 9mg (0%) Sugar 37g (74%) Calcium 2mg (0%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 144

% Daily Value*

Calories 144kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 37g 12%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Sugar 37g 74%
Calcium 2mg 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.