Transform your holiday season with these delightful homemade candy canes. This recipe brings a touch of tradition and a burst of peppermint flavor to your festivities. Perfect for decorating your tree or as a sweet treat, these candy canes are sure to impress.
While most of the ingredients for this candy cane recipe are common pantry staples, you may need to pick up light corn syrup and peppermint extract if you don't already have them. Light corn syrup is essential for achieving the right texture, and peppermint extract provides the classic candy cane flavor.
Ingredients for Candy Cane Recipe
Granulated sugar: The primary sweetener that forms the base of the candy cane.
Light corn syrup: Helps prevent crystallization and ensures a smooth texture.
Water: Combines with the sugar and corn syrup to create the candy mixture.
Peppermint extract: Adds the signature peppermint flavor to the candy canes.
Red food coloring: Provides the classic red stripe in the candy canes.
Technique Tip for Making Candy Canes
When working with sugar and corn syrup to make candy canes, it's crucial to monitor the temperature closely. Use a reliable candy thermometer to ensure the mixture reaches exactly 300°F (150°C). This is the hard crack stage, which is essential for achieving the right texture. If the temperature is too low, the candy will be too soft; if too high, it will become brittle and may burn.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
granulated sugar - Substitute with organic cane sugar: Organic cane sugar is less processed and retains more nutrients compared to regular granulated sugar.
light corn syrup - Substitute with brown rice syrup: Brown rice syrup is a vegan-friendly alternative that provides a similar consistency and sweetness.
water - Substitute with filtered water: Filtered water ensures there are no impurities that could affect the taste or texture of the candy.
peppermint extract - Substitute with natural peppermint oil: Natural peppermint oil is a more concentrated and pure form of peppermint flavor, making it a great vegan substitute.
red food coloring - Substitute with beet juice: Beet juice is a natural and vegan-friendly alternative that provides a vibrant red color without artificial additives.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to Candy Canes
How to Store or Freeze Your Candy Canes
- Allow the candy canes to cool completely on the baking sheet before handling them to ensure they harden properly.
- Once cooled, wrap each candy cane individually in plastic wrap or cellophane to prevent them from sticking together and to maintain their shape.
- Place the wrapped candy canes in an airtight container, layering them with parchment paper to avoid any breakage.
- Store the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources to keep the candy canes from melting or becoming sticky.
- For longer storage, place the airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps to maintain the candy canes' texture and flavor for up to three months.
- If you wish to freeze the candy canes, ensure they are well-wrapped and placed in a freezer-safe container. This prevents moisture from affecting their quality.
- When ready to use, thaw the candy canes at room temperature for a few hours. Avoid unwrapping them until they have completely thawed to prevent condensation from making them sticky.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Place the candy canes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and warm them for about 5-7 minutes. This will soften them slightly without melting them completely.
If you prefer a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the candy canes on a microwave-safe plate and heat them on low power for 10-15 seconds. Be cautious, as microwaves can heat unevenly and you don't want to melt them.
For a more controlled approach, use a double boiler. Fill the bottom pot with water and bring it to a simmer. Place the candy canes in the top pot and gently warm them, stirring occasionally until they reach the desired softness.
If you have a heat gun or a hairdryer, you can use it to gently warm the candy canes. Hold the heat source a few inches away and move it back and forth until the candy canes are pliable.
For a fun twist, place the candy canes in a warm beverage like hot chocolate or tea. The heat from the drink will soften the candy canes, infusing your beverage with a delightful peppermint flavor.
Essential Tools for Making Candy Canes
Saucepan: Used to combine and heat the sugar, corn syrup, and water mixture.
Candy thermometer: Essential for measuring the temperature of the boiling sugar mixture to ensure it reaches 300°F (150°C).
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the sugar mixture as it heats.
Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper, this is where you will pour the hot candy mixture to cool slightly.
Parchment paper: Used to line the baking sheet to prevent the candy from sticking.
Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the sugar, corn syrup, and water.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the peppermint extract and red food coloring.
Oven: Preheated to 200°F (93°C) to keep the candy pliable while you work with it.
Spatula: Helpful for spreading the candy mixture on the baking sheet.
Kitchen gloves: Protect your hands from the heat when handling the slightly cooled candy mixture.
Scissors: Useful for cutting the candy ropes to the desired length.
Rolling pin: Can be used to help flatten the candy mixture before pulling and twisting it into ropes.
How to Save Time on Making Candy Canes
Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure out the sugar, corn syrup, and water before starting. This ensures a smooth cooking process.
Use a candy thermometer: This helps you reach the precise temperature of 300°F quickly and accurately, avoiding guesswork.
Work on a silicone mat: It makes handling and shaping the candy mixture easier and faster.
Preheat oven early: Get your oven to 200°F while you prepare the mixture, so it's ready when you need it.
Divide and color quickly: As soon as you add the peppermint extract, divide and color the mixture to save cooling time.
Candy Cane Recipe
Ingredients
Candy Ingredients
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- ½ cup Light corn syrup
- ¼ cup Water
- ½ teaspoon Peppermint extract
- 1 teaspoon Red food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat and stir in the peppermint extract.
- Divide the mixture in half. Add red food coloring to one half.
- Pour each half onto separate baking sheets and let cool slightly.
- Once cool enough to handle, pull and twist each color into ropes. Twist the red and white ropes together to form candy canes.
- Shape into candy canes and place on the prepared baking sheet to cool completely.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses for Candy Canes
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Garlic Herb Blend Recipe5 Minutes
- Garlic Basil Sauce Recipe15 Minutes
- Fusilli Recipe25 Minutes
- Fig And Prosciutto Pizza Recipe25 Minutes
- Eggplant and Chickpea Tagine Recipe1 Hours
- Dessert Wine Recipe10 Minutes
- Custard Filling Recipe25 Minutes
- Cucumber Mint Spritzer Recipe10 Minutes
Leave a Reply