Christmas Glass Candy (Hard Tack Candy)
Looking to make something fun and festive for the holidays? This Christmas Glass Candy (or Hard Tack Candy) is a real throwback. It’s super easy to make and adds a pop of color to your Christmas treat jars. Plus, you can mix up the colors and flavors however you like. Let’s get started!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2/3 cup water
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp food coloring (pick your favorite color!)
- 1 dram of flavoring or 1/2 dram of candy oil (LorAnn oils work great)
Quick note: Candy oils are way stronger than flavorings, so use half as much if you’re going the oil route. - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting)
How to Make It:
Step 1: Mix It Up
Grab a large pot, and combine the sugar, water, and light corn syrup. Stir it all up over medium heat with a wooden spoon until the sugar is dissolved.
Step 2: Get it Boiling (But Don’t Overdo It)
Once the sugar is dissolved, stop stirring. You don’t want to touch it now! Keep an eye on the pot as it heats up—right before it hits a boil (around 212°F), things can get a little wild. If it starts to bubble up too much, take it off the heat for a few seconds to calm it down. (Tip: A bigger pot helps avoid this altogether!)
Step 3: Add Some Color
When the candy reaches 260°F (this took me about 15 minutes), it’s time to add your food coloring. Pour it in carefully, but don’t stir. The bubbles will spread the color on their own!
Step 4: Time for Flavor
Once the candy hits 300°F, take it off the heat. Let it sit for about 20 seconds, then add your flavoring or candy oil. Important: Do not try to sniff the oils! They are super strong and can really burn your eyes and face.
Step 5: Pour It Out
After adding the flavor, pour the hot mixture onto a nonstick surface—something heatproof like a silicone mat works best. I try to pour it slowly and aim for an even square-ish shape so it’s easier to cut later.
Step 6: Slice it Up
Give the candy about 15-20 seconds to set just a bit, then grab a pizza cutter and start scoring it into squares. Slice it lengthwise and widthwise to make little bite-size pieces.
Step 7: Cool and Dust
Once the candy is fully cooled, break apart the pieces along the score lines. Dust the pieces with some powdered sugar to keep them from sticking to each other.
Tips for Storing:
- Store the candy in airtight containers, like mason jars or canning jars, to keep it fresh and crisp.
- Mix it up! Use different colors and flavors in each batch to keep things fun and festive.
There you go—Christmas Glass Candy that’s bright, tasty, and perfect for gifting or snacking. Once you try it, you’ll probably want to make it every year!
