Easy Homemade Candy Canes Recipe

Making homemade candy canes is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season! This simple recipe requires just a few ingredients and allows you to create beautiful, striped candy canes that are perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (or any flavor extract of your choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup water
• Red food coloring (optional, for the classic candy cane stripes)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Equipment:

• Candy thermometer
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Heatproof spatula or wooden spoon
• Candy cane molds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Workspace:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. If you have candy cane molds, lightly grease them with a bit of vegetable oil. If not, you can shape them by hand on the baking sheet later.

2. Cook the Sugar Mixture:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, water, and cream of tartar.
2. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once it starts to simmer, stop stirring.
3. Insert a candy thermometer into the mixture and let it cook until it reaches 300°F (150°C), also known as the hard crack stage.

3. Add the Flavor and Color:

1. Once the syrup reaches 300°F, immediately remove the pan from heat.
2. Add the peppermint extract (or your chosen flavor) and stir to combine.
3. If you want traditional red stripes, divide the mixture into two portions. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one portion and leave the other portion plain. Stir each portion until the color is evenly distributed.

4. Cool and Stretch the Candy:

1. Allow the candy to cool for a few minutes until it’s cool enough to handle but still pliable (about 140°F).
2. Lightly dust your hands and workspace with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
3. Take the plain portion of candy and stretch it out into a long rope. As you stretch it, it will begin to thicken. Once it reaches a manageable consistency, you can begin pulling and twisting the candy into a rope.
4. Take the colored portion of the candy and do the same, creating a rope. Then, twist the two ropes together to form a spiral effect.

5. Shape the Candy Canes:

1. Once you’ve twisted the ropes into a spiral, cut them into manageable pieces for candy canes.
2. Shape each piece into a candy cane by gently bending the top of the rope to form a hook.

6. Cool the Candy Canes:

1. Place the candy canes on the prepared baking sheet to cool completely, which may take about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Once cooled and hardened, your candy canes are ready to enjoy or package up as gifts!

Tips:

• Storage: Store the homemade candy canes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
• Flavor Variations: Try experimenting with different extracts like vanilla, almond, or wintergreen for a unique twist on the classic candy cane.
• Shaping Tip: If you find the candy becoming too hard to shape, you can briefly reheat it over low heat for a few seconds to soften it again.

Making homemade candy canes is a fun and rewarding way to create a festive treat that’s perfect for sharing!