Description
This Hard Tack Candy recipe creates classic, crunchy bite-sized candies with customizable flavors and colors. Made by boiling sugar, corn syrup, and water to the hard crack stage, then flavored and cooled before breaking into chunks, this candy is perfect for sweet treats or gifts.
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: Mix the corn syrup, sugar, and water in a non-stick pan on the stove.
- Dissolve Sugar: Turn the heat to medium and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Do not stir any more after this point to avoid crystallization.
- Boil Mixture: Let the mixture come to a rolling boil. When a candy thermometer reads 260 degrees Fahrenheit, add food coloring without stirring; allow the boiling to mix.
- Reach Hard Crack Stage: When the temperature reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit, remove from heat and let the boiling stop naturally.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in your chosen oil flavorings with a wooden spoon.
- Pour Candy: Pour the hot candy mixture onto a well-greased or powdered sugar coated large cookie sheet.
- Cool Candy: Allow the candy to cool completely at room temperature. Do not refrigerate.
- Break Into Pieces: Once set, break the candy into chunks using a knife or other object.
- Coat Candy: Place the candy chunks in a Ziploc bag with 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar and shake to coat.
Notes
- Use a candy thermometer for accurate temperature readings to ensure proper hard crack texture.
- Do not stir the syrup once boiling begins to prevent sugar crystallization.
- Greasing the pan or dusting with powdered sugar prevents the candy from sticking.
- Allow candy to cool completely at room temperature for best texture; avoid refrigeration which can cause stickiness.
- Experiment with different oil flavorings to create a variety of candy flavors.
- Store candy in an airtight container to preserve freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 60 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
