Description
This Cinnamon Rock Candy recipe creates vibrant, homemade candy crystals infused with a spicy cinnamon flavor. Perfect for candy lovers looking to make a colorful and aromatic treat from scratch. The crunchy candy is coated with powdered sugar to prevent sticking and offers a delightful balance of sweetness and cinnamon spice.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Candy:
- 1 cup water
- 3 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
- 1 tsp red food coloring
- 1-2 tsp cinnamon oil (adjust for spice level)
For Finishing:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Butter for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Butter a 15x10x1-inch sheet cake pan thoroughly, then line it with parchment paper. Butter the parchment paper generously to ensure easy removal of the candy once hardened.
- Make the Candy Base: In a large saucepan, combine water, sugar, light corn syrup, and red food coloring. Stir gently over medium-high heat until the sugar starts to dissolve, ensuring an even mixture.
- Heat to Hard Crack Stage: Attach a candy thermometer to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue heating until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage), which takes around 20 minutes. Monitor closely to avoid boiling over; briefly remove from heat if necessary.
- Add Cinnamon: Once the mixture hits 300°F, remove from heat immediately. Carefully stir in the cinnamon oil, being cautious as it is a potent flavoring. Quickly pour the hot candy mixture into the prepared pan and allow it to cool undisturbed for at least 4 hours to harden.
- Break and Dust: After cooling completely, dust the top generously with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Flip the candy onto a cutting board, peel off the parchment paper, and use a knife to break the candy into bite-sized pieces. Dust with more powdered sugar as needed.
- Store: Place the cinnamon rock candy pieces into an airtight container to keep them fresh and crisp for extended enjoyment.
Notes
- Be careful when handling hot sugar syrup to avoid burns.
- Cinnamon oil is very strong; start with 1 tsp and adjust to taste to avoid overpowering the candy.
- Ensure the candy thermometer is properly calibrated for accurate temperature reading.
- Use powdered sugar to prevent candy pieces from sticking together during storage.
- Store in a cool, dry place to maintain the candy’s crunchiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
