Homemade Glass Candy is a classic Christmas treat! It’s simple to make and perfect for adding a festive touch to your holiday celebrations. Make a batch for your friends and family this year – they will love you for it!
Christmas is the time of year when everyone wants to get in the holiday spirit. One fun way to do that is by making Christmas glass candy! If you’re my age you may remember glass candy. But if you’re younger, you may not even know what it is. Like, who doesn’t remember candy that shatters in your mouth when you eat it? It’s one of my favorites this time of year as I remember my mom making lemon and cinnamon flavor each year and has since become a family tradition.
This recipe is a festive and delicious way to celebrate the holiday season. The candy can be made in any color and flavor, so you can customize it to your liking. Plus, it’s really easy to make – just follow these simple steps!
What is Glass Candy?
Glass candy is an American candy made in the early 1900s out of sugar, water and corn syrup. When it comes to the name, there are many for it such as stained glass, broken glass, sugar glass, edible glass, hard tack or breakaway glass but the most popular name for it is glass candy. It’s called glass candy because of the transparent look and reminded candy makers of stained glass windows.
Why You’ll Love Glass Candy
- It’s easy to make!
- Delicious DIY candy for the holidays!
- Can make a variety of flavors!
- Makes a great inexpensive gift!
Tips & Tricks for Making Candy Glass
Candy glass is a basic technique and it’s a lot easier than you think! Here are some tips and tricks for making candy glass:
- Do not use aluminum foil or cooking spray to line your pans or cookie sheets. If you do, when you pull the foil off the finished candy glass, it will stick. Use parchment or wax paper instead.
- Take your time while working with the hot sugar mix. If you rush it, it will crystallize before you can spread it out into a thin layer.
- Make sure your sugar mixture is evenly mixed before pouring it onto the pan or cookie sheet. This will give you more consistent results with the texture of the finished candy glass.
- Be careful as this candy is HOT! Use appropriate utensils, hot pads and oven mitts to avoid getting burned.
- Once you’ve poured all of your sugar mixture onto the pan or cookie sheet, let it sit for about five minutes before using an offset spatula to spread it out into an even layer. The longer you let it sit, the thicker and more durable your piece of candy glass will be.
- If you want a add a flavor to your edible glass candy, add 1 tsp of food flavored oil to the mix. I love using Lorann brand as they have a variety of flavors to choose from that you can get in a bundle or individually.
Candy Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Red food coloring
Green food coloring
Will Also Need
Wax or parchment paper
Cooking thermometer
Baking sheet or pan
Large saucepan
How to Make Glass Candy
Line a pan with wax or parchment paper and lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar over top. This step will help remove the wax or parchment paper a bit easier later.
In a large saucepan, pour in sugar and water and cook over medium heat stirring continuously until sugar dissolves.
Add in the light corn syrup and food coloring (choose either red or green). Keep stirring until the thermometer reads 300 degrees F. Should take about 8-10 minutes.
Once the candy reaches 300 degrees F, quickly pour the mixture into the pan.
Note: If you are adding a flavor, add it in during this step and mix before you pour into the pan.
Allow to cool for about 30 minutes to an hour or until candy has fully hardened in the pan.
Carefully unpeel the candy off the wax or parchment paper and place back on it. Lay another piece of wax or parchment paper on top of candy and break into pieces. We used a meat tenderizer to break it up. Break off any sharp pieces!
Sprinkle with powder sugar over top or place broken pieces in a Ziploc back, add powdered sugar to bag, close bag and give a shake to coat.
Repeat each step for additional colors.
Enjoy!
How to Store Glass Candy
To Store: Place glass candy in an airtight container and store at room temperature away from direct sunlight or heat sources for up to a week.
Recipe
Glass Candy
Ingredients
Candy Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- Red food coloring
- Green food coloring
Will Also Need
- Wax or parchment paper
- Cooking thermometer
- Baking sheet or pan
- Large saucepan
Instructions
- Line a pan with wax or parchment paper and lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar over top. This step will help remove the wax or parchment paper a bit easier later.
- In a large saucepan, pour in sugar and water and cook over medium heat stirring continuously until sugar dissolves.
- Add in the light corn syrup and food coloring (choose either red or green). Keep stirring until the thermometer reads 300 degrees F. Should take about 8-10 minutes.
- Once the candy reaches 300 degrees F, quickly pour the mixture into the pan. Note: If you are adding a flavor, add it in during this step and mix before you pour into the pan.
- Allow to cool for about 30 minutes to an hour or until candy has fully hardened in the pan.
- Carefully unpeel the candy off the wax or parchment paper and place back on it. Lay another piece of wax or parchment paper on top of candy and break into pieces. We used a meat tenderizer to break it up. Break off any sharp pieces!
- Sprinkle with powder sugar over top or place broken pieces in a Ziploc back, add powdered sugar to bag, close bag and give a shake to coat.
- Repeat each step for additional colors.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Tips & Tricks for Making Candy Glass
Candy glass is a basic technique and it's a lot easier than you think! Here are some tips and tricks for making candy glass:- Do not use aluminum foil or cooking spray to line your pans or cookie sheets. If you do, when you pull the foil off the finished candy glass, it will stick. Use parchment or wax paper instead.
- Take your time while working with the hot sugar mix. If you rush it, it will crystallize before you can spread it out into a thin layer.
- Make sure your sugar mixture is evenly mixed before pouring it onto the pan or cookie sheet. This will give you more consistent results with the texture of the finished candy glass.
- Be careful as this candy is HOT! Use appropriate utensils, hot pads and oven mitts to avoid getting burned.
- Once you've poured all of your sugar mixture onto the pan or cookie sheet, let it sit for about five minutes before using an offset spatula to spread it out into an even layer. The longer you let it sit, the thicker and more durable your piece of candy glass will be.
- If you want a add a flavor to your edible glass candy, add 1 tsp of food flavored oil to the mix. I love using Lorann brand as they have a variety of flavors to choose from that you can get in a bundle or individually.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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