Christmas Hard Tack Candy Recipe
Make old-fashioned Christmas hard tack candy at home — red and green peppermint and cinnamon candy dusted in powdered sugar. A vintage holiday favorite!
Servings 50
Calories 75kcal
Cost $8
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- Candy Thermometer
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon flavoring extract we used peppermint for green candy and cinnamon for red candy
- 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
- Food coloring
Instructions
- To Prep: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the sugar, water and corn syrup in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook while stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches hard crack stage (300-310°F or 149-154°C). This will take about 25-30 minutes.
- Stir in the food coloring and flavoring, then remove pan from heat.
- Pour the candy mixture onto prepared pan, moving the saucepan as you pour, allowing the candy to spread and cover the entire baking pan surface.
- Let sit for at least 30 minutes until the candy hardens.
- Break the candy into bite size pieces.
- Add the candy pieces to a large zip-top bag with powdered sugar and shake to coat.
Video
Notes
Nutrition information is provided as an estimate only and will vary based on exact serving size.
Pouring the Candy
Work quickly when pouring — the mixture begins to set almost immediately. Tilt or move the saucepan as you pour to help spread the candy evenly in the pan.Safety Note
The hot candy syrup is extremely sticky and can cause burns. Pour carefully, and consider wearing long sleeves to protect your skin from accidental splashes.Flavorings
We used cinnamon extract for the red candy and peppermint extract for the green, but you can use any flavoring you love.Storage
Store the finished candy in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 1 month.Nutrition
Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 0.4mg | Sugar: 20g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.01mg