Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Making Hard Tack Candy

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup corn syrup
1/4 tsp. flavoring (Lorann flavor oils)
food coloring


Mix and boil sugar, water, and corn syrup to the hard tack stage (300 F). Remove from heat. Quickly add the flavoring and food coloring. Stir well.

Pour onto a buttered platter or cookie sheet. Cut into pieces immediately. Some people like to let this get hard, and then break it, but the broken pieces are very sharp, resembling broken glass.




You may dust these with powdered sugar if desired.



This is beautiful in a glass jar from the dollar store, or an inexpensive little tin.









Autumn and I made these today. We made Cinnamon, Wintergreen, Peppermint, Spearmint, Pineapple, Lemon, Watermelon, Pina Colada, Apple, and Clove. Each recipe made about 10 ounces of candy. I already had the oils in my cupboard, and only had to buy corn syrup and sugar. It cost me about $3.00 for close to 6 pounds of candy!

This is just one of many inexpensive homemade Christmas gifts I'll be sharing over the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

13 comments:

Susan said...

Love your new look.
Susan

Gena said...

That sounds good - is it like stained-glass candy? I know that looks really pretty in a jar, too.

Christie Belle said...

Oooo, sounds yummy! I'm loving the Christmas treats recipes everyone is starting to post! I'm also loving the Christmas-y aprons and your new vintage dress. Awesome job on all of them!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm. love the idea of powdered sugar over these yummies.

Christy said...

YUM!!

I was looking for something to make for teacher gifts... I usually make fudge but I was wanting to try something new this year.

Momala said...

I'd love to try making this candy! Where did you buy the flavored oils? Are they very expensive? What a great homemade gift idea! Thanks for sharing!

Tracy said...

Momala,

You can find the flavored oils in most pharmacies, Wal*mart, and craft stores. They aren't too expensive, and they keep from year to year. You only use a 1/4 tsp. per recipe, so they go pretty far.

Momala said...

Tracy,

Thanks for the information! I can't wait to make the candy!

Mrs. Anna T said...

Neat idea! I never thought of making my own candy. Not that I eat much of it. But it'd make a neat gift.

Lori said...

Your homemade hard candy looks yummy!

~~Deby said...

oh these candies look so pretty and singing in the kitchen...what wonderful memories...
Looks like fun...
Deby

Jennifer said...

I have been looking for a recipe like this for a while. Last year, someone gave me a huge container of homemade cinnamon candy, and I've wanted the recipe ever since. Yours looks just about identical to it, and I can't wait to try it out! I'll let you know how it goes :o) Thanks for posting all your great treat recipes. I would love to get a quick 'whiff' of the smells in your home when you are busy making all these amazing treats! Wow!

Amy said...

So pretty! I have wonderfuol memories of my mom and the other "church ladies" making hard tack each Christmas at my church.