Homemade Hard Candy Recipe

Published: Feb 12, 2021 · Modified: Jan 31, 2025 by Melissa Griffiths · This post may contain affiliate links · 22 Comments

With only a few ingredients, anyone can make this delicious and sweet homemade hard candy recipe. It’s simple to make and can be modified with different colors and flavors! Follow this easy hard candy recipe and the step-by-step instructions. Changing the flavor is simple and delicious!

First, let’s discuss the science behind candy making. To make this hard candy recipe, you mix sugar and water. In this case, it’s water, sugar, and corn syrup. Only a certain amount of sugar can dissolve in water at room temperature, so we must heat the sugar and water when making this hard candy recipe.

In this hard candy recipe, the only stirring happens before the sugar is dissolved and after the mixture is taken off the heat if you add flavoring. Otherwise, you just let the color incorporate via the boiling action of the mix.

Why You’ll Love This Hard Candy Recipe

Long-Lasting: It will last a long time! So it can be made far ahead of any holiday or event and still taste fresh and delicious.
Homemade gifts: I love giving hard candy as gifts for the holiday season. You can also use it to decorate cakes and cupcakes or crush it to include in cookies.
Make all the flavors: You can add many flavors to your candy! I recommend using flavoring oils. They are much more potent than extracts. I have tried both, and the extract flavor is very mild, even when a lot is used. Add 1 teaspoon of flavoring; any more than that will be overwhelming with the amount of candy this recipe makes.

🍭 Yummy, but simple candy recipes are a fun way to get kids excited about being in the kitchen!

Recipe Ingredients

Sugar
Corn syrup
Food Coloring
Flavoring oil — use whatever you like
Powdered sugar

For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.

How to Make Homemade Hard Candy

Step 1: Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water.

Step 2: Add food coloring, if desired. Continue to boil until the mixture reaches 300°F.

Step 3: Let the candy sit so it can harden.

Step 4: Break into bite-sized pieces and toss with powdered sugar.

Recipe FAQs

How long will homemade candy keep?

While it doesn’t have an expiration date, homemade candy can still go bad, but for reasons you may not think. Humidity, temperature control, storage, and other things all come into play on the shelf life of candy. As it ages, your candy will become soft, sticky, chewy, and gooey, so it’s best to enjoy it when it’s at its freshest for best results

How long will it take for the candy to set?

Once you pour the candy mixture, it will be set up in about 2 to 3 hours. Make sure to leave it at room temperature to set until it is cooled down and hard to the touch. Avoid placing the candy in the fridge or freezer to set. This will not speed up the process correctly and can change the final results!

Why is my hard candy chewy?

If you did not allow the candy to reach the proper temperature before pouring it into the pan or molds, it might not have reached the hard-ball stage that is needed for the candy to hold a hard texture once it has cooled. It is important that the mixture reaches 260°F, then once the food coloring is added, it needs to boil until it reaches 300°F. The best way to measure the temperature is to use a candy thermometer. This will make a big difference in whether or not your candy hardens correctly and will prevent chewy candy!

Expert Tips

Be Careful: Do not lean over the pot. Be cautious when mixing, as the steam can burn you!
Pick Your Shape: You can also pour the mixture into candy molds and harden it into shapes. Another option is to pour free-form candies onto a parchment-lined sheet after allowing the mixture to cool for a minute before pouring.
Right Temp: It’s very important to allow the candy to reach the proper temperature before pouring it into the pan or molds or it will not set correctly.
Break Into Pieces: I have found that the easiest way to break the hard candy into pieces is to place a large chunk into a Ziploc bag, seal it, and then use a mallet or rolling pin to hit it until it breaks into smaller pieces. All of the pieces will stay in one place and will leave you with hardly any mess! Once the candy is broken into the size that you prefer, you can place it back onto the baking sheet and sprinkle it with the powdered sugar.

How to Store Homemade Hard Candy

It is best to enjoy this hard candy when it is fairly fresh, because it will start to become soft and sticky as it ages.

However, it can technically last for up to a year if stored properly! Be sure to store it in an airtight container or jar, in a cool and dark place.

Pro Tip: Do not store the hard candy in the fridge or freezer as it can ruin the integrity of the candy.

Other Fun Candy Recipes to Try

Making homemade candy is one of my favorite holiday traditions, and my kids enjoy being involved in it, too! Here are some of our most requested candies to make.

For the chocolate fans, homemade turtle candy is a decadent treat.
Such an easy candy recipe that the kids can make it with limited supervision!
Technically a cookie, but these snowball crescents are a huge hit every time.

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