Let’s whip up something special! Imagine the warm, cozy aroma of cinnamon wafting through the air as we step into the world of homemade Cinnamon Hard Candy. It’s a treat that captures the essence of comfort and nostalgia, perfect for the upcoming holiday season (or anytime).
Here is a quick and easy cinnamon candy recipe that your friends will love! Wrapping it up in a tall mason jar keeps it airtight and it looks great.
Cinnamon Hard Candy Ingredients
- 2 Cups white sugar
- 1/2 Cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 Cup water
- 2 teaspoons (about 2 drams) cinnamon oil flavoring
- red food coloring (as desired)
- powdered sugar (optional)
Special Equipment
- Candy thermometer
- Pizza Cutter
- marble slab or aluminum lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray
- pastry brush
- tall canning jars for gifting
How to Make Hard Candy
- Prepare Your Equipment: Lightly grease a marble slab or aluminum lined cookie sheet with cooking spray. If you’re using candy molds, lightly grease them with cooking spray.
- Combine Ingredients: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over low heat to dissolve the sugars. Once the sugar mixture comes to a boil, stop stirring.
- Cook to Temperature: Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture but make sure it doesn’t touch the bottom of the pan. Cook the mixture until it reaches 290°F or the hard crack stage. This should take around 15-30 minutes. Be patient, and do not stir during this process, but watch closely.
TIP: Use a silicone brush dipped in water to brush down the sugar crystals on the side of the pan to prevent crystallization. Crystallization can cause your candy to turn grainy and ruin the texture. By brushing down the sugar crystals with water, you ensure that all the sugar is properly dissolved in the mixture. - Add Flavor and Color: Once it reaches the desired temperature, remove the pan from the heat immediately. Stir in the cinnamon flavor and, if desired, a few drops of red food coloring to achieve the desired color. Be cautious when adding the extract, as the fumes can be strong.
- Pour and Cut: Carefully pour the hot cinnamon candy mixture into your prepared pan or marble shab. Just before it cools cut into squares with a pizza cutter.
- Cool and Set: Allow the candy to cool and harden completely. This may take about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Dust with Confectioners’ Sugar: To prevent the candies from sticking together, lightly dust them with confectioners’ sugar. This isn’t always necessary. I only do it if the candy feels sticky.
- Store: Store your homemade cinnamon hard candies in an airtight container. They can be wrapped individually in wax paper if you like.
Related: It is easy to make shaped hard candy suckers with candy molds with this hard candy recipe. Don’t miss all my tips for making lollipops.
Enjoy your homemade cinnamon hard candies, and share them with friends and family during the holiday season or as a sweet treat anytime!
Cinnamon Hard Candy
Equipment
- Pizza Cutter
- marble slab or aluminum lined baking pan sprayed with cooking spray
- pastry brush
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon extract or more to taste
- Red food coloring optional
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting optional
Instructions
- Prepare Your Equipment: lightly grease the marble slab or aluminum foil lined cookie sheet with cooking spray.
- Combine Ingredients: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Once the mixture comes to a boil, stop stirring.
- Cook to Temperature: Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture but make sure it doesn't touch the bottom of the pan. Cook the mixture until it reaches 290°F (150°C) or the hard crack stage. This should take around 15-30 minutes. Be patient, and do not stir during this process.
- Add Flavor and Color: Once it reaches the desired temperature, remove the pan from the heat immediately. Stir in the cinnamon flavor and, if desired, a few drops of red food coloring to achieve the desired color. Be cautious when adding the extract, as the fumes can be strong and mixture can splatter causing burns.
- Pour and Cut: Carefully pour the hot cinnamon candy mixture into your prepared surface and just before it cools cut with a pizza cutter into squares.
- Cool and Set: Allow the candy to cool and harden completely. This may take about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Dust with Confectioners' Sugar (if needed): To prevent the candies from sticking together, lightly dust them with confectioners' sugar.
- Store: Store your homemade cinnamon hard candies in an airtight container or wrap them individually in wax paper.
Notes
Make More Delicious Confections from Your Kitchen
Creating sweet treats from your own kitchen for gifts adds a personal touch that store-bought items simply can’t match, showing your thoughtfulness and care for the recipient. Homemade goodies allow you to tailor flavors and presentation, transforming each gift into a unique and unforgettable delight that truly warms the heart.
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Yes, you can add more oil to adjust for you.
If not hot enough can you recook then add more cinnamon oil