This Old Fashioned Hard Candy is so flavorful and you can make it in any flavor you desire.  My favorite flavor is Cinnamon.  See all the flavor options on the recipe.  They’re endless!  This is a great candy to make at Christmas!

I’ve been making this Old-Fashioned Hard Candy for decades.  When I was a kid, this was a popular candy to make during the holidays.  By the way, this candy is also known by some as  Rock Candy, Hard Tack Candy, Broken Glass Candy, and Sea Glass Candy.  Regardless of what it’s called, it’s a great candy to make during the holidays and it stays fresh for a very long time.  It’s also great for gifting.  Another good thing about this candy is you can make it in just about any flavor and color you desire!

Here are suggested combinations of flavors and colors for this candy recipe…

Peppermint/Pink

Cinnamon/Red

Spearmint/Green

Lemon/Yellow

Grape/Purple

Anise/Dark Blue

Orange/Orange

Butter/Light Yellow

Butter Rum/Yellow, Brown

Sassafras/Light Brown

Cherry/Red

Raspberry/Blue, Red

Clove/Gold

Chocolate/Brown

Wintergreen/Pale Green

Lime/Pale Green

Note: Years ago, the only available food coloring when making this candy was liquid and with limited colors. These days, we have gel food coloring with more color options available. I prefer to use gel food coloring. I feel the gel food coloring blends better.

You can make this easy candy by using a candy thermometer or by using the cold water test.  I used a candy thermometer here.  Don’t be intimidated by making this candy.  It really is easy, but take a minute and make sure your candy thermometer is calibrated correctly.

Three Easy Steps for Cooking This Candy

  1. Mix sugar, syrup, and water together in a large pan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Boil without stirring until the temperature reaches 310 degrees (hard crack) on a candy thermometer, or forms brittle threads when dropped into cold water.
  3. Remove from heat and add food coloring and flavoring.

Once the candy is cooked…

  1. Pour the candy onto a foil-lined cookie sheet that’s been lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar.  Allow the candy to completely cool.
  2. Place a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap over the candy.  Using a heavy knife handle, lightly hit the candy and break it into small pieces.  Sprinkle additional powdered sugar over the candy, if desired.
  3. Store the candy in an airtight container or plastic bag.
Old Fashioned Hard Candy.

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Old Fashioned Hard Candy

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 1 review
  • Author: Cindy Gibbs
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1/2 pounds 1x
  • Category: Candy
  • Method: Cook
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Description

This Old Fashioned Hard Candy is so flavorful and you can make it in any flavor you desire.  My favorite flavor is Cinnamon.  See all the flavor options on this recipe.  They’re endless! 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 teaspoon (1 dram bottle) Lorann flavoring oil
  • Food coloring as desired

Instructions

  1. Line a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Sprinkle the foil heavily with powdered sugar.
  2. Mix the sugar, syrup, and water together in a large pan over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the sugar has dissolved. Boil without stirring until the temperature reaches 310 degrees (hard crack) on a candy thermometer, or forms brittle threads when dropped into cold water.
  3. Remove from heat. Slowly add the flavoring oil, then add food coloring as desired. Mix well and pour onto the foil-lined cookie sheet. Let the candy cool completely before breaking it into pieces.
  4. Place a piece of wax paper or saran wrap over the candy. Using the handle of a heavy knife, hit the candy and break it into small pieces. Sprinkle the broken candy with more powdered sugar.
  5. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container. This candy keeps well for several weeks.
  6. Yields approximately 1 1/2 pounds.

Suggested Combinations for Flavors and Colors

Peppermint/Pink

Cinnamon/Red

Spearmint/Green

Lemon/Yellow

Grape/Purple

Anise/Dark Blue

Orange/Orange

Butter/Light Yellow

Butter Rum/Yellow, Brown

Sassafras/Light Brown

Cherry/Red

Raspberry/Blue, Red

Clove/Gold

Chocolate/Brown

Wintergreen/Pale Green

Lime/Pale Green

Notes

  • Note: Years ago, the only available food coloring when making this candy was liquid and with limited colors. These days, we have gel food coloring with more color options available. I prefer to use the gel food coloring. I feel that the gel food coloring blends better.
  • Note: The original recipe for this candy calls for two teaspoons of flavoring. I choose to use 1 teaspoon in the cinnamon candy but more in other flavors. It’s really personal preference.