Old Fashioned Hard Candy (Rock Candy)

"Rock Candy" is one of the great memories I have as a little girl at Christmas time! My great grandmother made it every year and I LOVED helping her. Of course it is a hot candy to make so my participation was usually the part of smashing it into little pieces :) This candy is also hard to get it to turn out so I highly recommend that you have a candy thermometer to make sure your mixture reaches the correct temperatures.

Ingredients (makes a small batch):

2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups light corn syrup
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon candy flavoring
1/4 teaspoon liquid food coloring
Powdered sugar (optional)

Example of candy flavor options - my favorite is cinnamon.

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, mix together sugar, corn syrup and water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to a boil without stirring. When syrup temperature reaches 260 degrees, add color. Do not stir; boiling action will incorporate color into syrup. Remove from heat at 300 degrees or when drops of syrup form hard, brittle threads in cold water. After boiling action ceases, add flavoring and stir. Use caution when adding flavoring to avoid rising steam. Pour syrup into lightly oiled candy molds or onto greased cookie sheet. When cool, break into pieces and dust with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.

Store in airtight container until you are ready to gift or serve.