Hard Candy

I made this hard candy last night to kick off my week of Christmas candy making and baking and it turned out really good!! I have never made hard candy before and I was so afraid that it would not turn out but this recipe was simple and easy, but I must say that you HAVE to have patience and do not cook the sugar mixture too fast.  Keep the stove set closer to medium heat the entire time and it will come out perfect. 

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon oil

a couple of drops of red food coloring

Directions

In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, water and corn syrup.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes.

Uncover and cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 310 degrees.

Remove from the heat; stir in oil and food coloring, keeping face away from the mixture as the odor with be very strong.

Immediately pour onto a greased baking sheet.

Quickly spread into a 13-in. x 9-in. rectangle.  Let cool at room temperature. 

Place wax paper over candy and break into bite size pieces.  (I used a hammer to break candy)

Sprinkle with powder sugar to lightly coat the candy to keep from sticking together. 

(I also made a batch of Cotton Candy.  These were both delicious.  You just follow the same recipe with any flavor of oil and food coloring you like.)
ENJOY!!