Homemade Rock Candy

I have a neighbor who makes this every year at Christmas time for everyone in the neighborhood. She makes several flavors and packs them into cute little Christmas jars or boxes.It’s an inexpensive but very thoughtful gift any time of the year.

• You will need:
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup white syrup (Karo works well)
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp food coloring
• 1 tbsp flavoring (your choice)
• powdered sugar
• candy thermometer

Line a baking pan with nonstick foil and sprinkle powdered sugar in the bottom of the pan. Sit the pan to the side.

Place sugar, syrup and water in a saucepan with the candy thermometer and bring to a boil. Stir only until the sugar crystal have dissolved.

Once the sugar has reached 300 degrees, remove from the heat and add flavoring and coloring.Give it a quick stir and pour into the pan over the powdered sugar.

Let the sugar cool and then break it into small pieces. Put the pieces into a bowl filled with powdered sugar to give them a light coating.This is so they don’t stick together when you package them.

*Tip: cinnamon and peppermint are great but throw caution to the wind and try using watermelon,coconut, pineapple,or bubblegum. Experiment to find the flavors you like best. I think you’ll like them all!