Save on Pinterest
Sign up for Our Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Newsletters

Christmas Hard Candy

When you make a batch of this beautiful jewel-toned candy, your whole house fills with the wonderful scent of mint or cinnamon. My mom always makes this candy, and people request it every year. She puts it in clear jars with a holiday calico fabric on the lid. Now I've started making it, too.—Jane Holman, Moultrie, Georgi
Christmas Hard Candy
Christmas Hard Candy Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Next Recipe
Recommended
Hot Bacon Cheese Dip 31 Slow Cooker Dip Recipes You Can Make in Your Crock-Pot
Next Recipe
  • Total Time
    Prep: 5 min. Cook: 1 hour + cooling
  • Makes
    about 2 pounds

Ingredients

  • 3-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or peppermint oil
  • 1 teaspoon red or green food coloring

Directions

  • In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook on medium-high heat until candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage), stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in oil and food coloring, keeping face away from mixture as the scent of the oil is very strong.
  • Immediately pour onto an oiled baking sheet. Cool; break into pieces. Store in airtight containers.
Editor's Note: Cinnamon oil and peppermint oil are available in cake decorating and candy supply stores.
Nutrition Facts
1 piece: 114 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 13mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.

Recommended Video

More from Taste of Home

Festive Anise Hard Candy
Festive Anise Hard Candy
Old-Fashioned Lollipops
Old-Fashioned Lollipops
Clear Toy Candy
Clear Toy Candy
Stained Glass Candy
Stained Glass Candy
Favorite Dipped Pretzel Rods
Favorite Dipped Pretzel Rods
Caramel Nut Marshmallows
Caramel Nut Marshmallows
S’more Drops
S’more Drops
Crispy Peanut Butter Cocoa Cups
Crispy Peanut Butter Cocoa Cups
Cinnamon Lollipops
Cinnamon Lollipops
Cream Cheese Candies
Cream Cheese Candies
Orange Jelly Candies
Orange Jelly Candies
Caramel Pecan Logs
Caramel Pecan Logs
Goody-Goody Gumdrops
Goody-Goody Gumdrops
Homemade Holiday Marshmallows
Homemade Holiday Marshmallows
Almond-Pecan Date Truffles
Almond-Pecan Date Truffles
Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls
Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls
Chocolate-Covered Apricot-Pecan Pretzels
Chocolate-Covered Apricot-Pecan Pretzels
Milky Way Fudge
Milky Way Fudge
Easy Double-Decker Fudge
Easy Double-Decker Fudge
Butterscotch Peanut Butter Fudge
Butterscotch Peanut Butter Fudge