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It’s fast approaching time to make gifts for the holiday and obviously my go-to gift is homemade treats from my kitchen. Normally I go all out and make cookies, bread or rolls. This year I wanted something a bit more simple, but still festive red and bursting with flavor. I’m making old-fashion Cinnamon Rock Candy (also known as Cinnamon Hard Candy) this year to add some sweetness to my holiday gifts.
I’ve been making these candies since I was a teen. I have both a sweet tooth and a fondness for cinnamon, so I love this candy. The way it looks in a glass jar, bright red and dusted with snow white powdered sugar, will make you love it too!
These pretty little candies look so festive in decorative mason jars or sitting on a buffet table for the holidays. If you manage not to eat them all, they make the perfect gifts for teachers, coworkers, the next-door neighbor, or even the dog walker. Who wouldn’t love this sweet gift for the holidays?
Can you make other flavors of rock candy?
Why yes, you can! There are endless possibilities. I recommend using LorAnn’s Flavoring Oils. There are so many flavors to choose from. Make sure to change the food coloring to match the flavor.
- Orange
- Strawberry
- Peppermint
- Cherry
- Grape
- Lemon
- and more….
With only six ingredients these candies are very simple to make.
- Sugar
- Water
- Light Corn Syrup
- Cinnamon Oil
- Red Food Color
- Powdered Sugar
How to make Cinnamon Rock Candy
Step 1
You definitely need a candy thermometer to make these treats. To make the candy you simply add water, sugar and white corn syrup and bring to a hard crack stage which is 300 degrees F. This does take some time, but make sure you watch your thermometer constantly. This is not a good time to go put a load of laundry, so hang out in your kitchen while this syrup cooks. Maybe put on some holiday music?
Step 2
Once your sugar syrup reaches that magic boiling point, turn off the heat and add red food coloring and the cinnamon oil. Use caution! The sugar syrup and the pans are blazing hot so use a wooden spoon or a heavy-duty spatula to stir in the last two ingredients. Make sure to put the empty pan back on the burner so it can cool. And if you have kids or pets, you might send them out of the kitchen while you’re making candy.
Step 3
Pour your colored and flavored syrup onto a 13 x 9 parchment or waxed paper-lined cookie sheet and spread close to the edge. Let the candy sit for at least four hours to harden.
Step 4
Once the candy is hardened sprinkle with powdered sugar, then put a piece of parchment or wax paper on top of the powdered sugar layer and flip the hard sheet of candy over. Remove the parchment and sprinkle more powdered sugar on top.
Step 5
Now for the fun part. Grab a heavy-duty spoon and tap on the candy sheet to break into small pieces. This is my favorite part of making this candy.
Step 6
The final step is packaging up the candies. My favorite way is to put the candies in decorative mason jars with a red ribbon. These jars look pretty sitting on a holiday table or you can seal with the lid and give them as gifts.
The great thing about making this Cinnamon Rock Candy is that it leaves your kitchen smelling like….cinnamon!
Here is your Cinnamon Candy Recipe
Cinnamon Rock Candy
Equipment
- Candy Thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon oil
- 1/2 tsp. liquid red food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare a 13" x 9" cookie sheet. Grease the pan then put a sheet of wax paper on the bottom and then grease the top of the wax paper. Can use cooking spray.
- In a heavy saucepan bring combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
- Insert a candy thermometer to the pan and bring this mixture to 300 to 310 degree F. This is the candy hard crack stage. This step will take around 30 minutes, but make sure you are watching the pan.
- Once the temperature is reached, turn off the heat, remove the thermometer (it will be very hot.) Add the cinnamon oil and red food coloring. Stir to combine.
- Pour the hot syrup onto the cookie sheet and spread close to the edges. Allow to cool for 4 hours.
- NOTE: the saucepan will be very hot. It is best to put the pan back on the stove burner to cool off.
- Sprinkle the candy with powdered sugar then lay a piece of parchment on top, flip over, remove the wax paper and sprinkle with more powdered sugar.
- With a heavy spoon, hit the candy to break into small pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Alternative for sprinkling with powdered sugar
- Break up the hardened candy sheet into desired sized pieces. Place in a plastic bag, add powdered sugar and shake to coat.
Notes
Nutrition
It’s hard to resist these little cinnamon candy pieces
It’s time for a cup of tea with some candy. A perfect afternoon treat.
Here are some essential items you might need for candy making.
I will also include the link for the other flavors of LorAnn’s Oils and Americolor food coloring.
Wishing you a glorious holiday filled with all things sweet.
Blessings ~ Jere’
So colourful and I love the idea of the cinnamon flavour. The perfect gift 🙂
This is fantastic. I love the colour and the flavour – a great option for grown-up palates.
Cinnamon rock candy sounds great flavorful candy…perfect for the festive season…your candy got gorgeous color
This is perfect for the holidays, everyone loves the bright red color.
Such a lovely special treat to make as Christmas gifts. I know my kids would love to do this.
I actually started making this when I was a kid.
So festive, anyone would be tempted to try a couple of the sweet cinnamon flavored candy. I had no idea that one could buy cinnamon oil.