Sparkling Sweet Cinnamon Rock Candy Recipe for Sugar Magic

Crafting homemade sweet cinnamon rock candy brings pure culinary magic to your kitchen.

Sugar crystallization creates a delightful spicy-sweet treat that sparkles with festive charm.

Cinnamon lovers will adore this simple yet impressive confection that requires minimal ingredients and patience.

Watching sugar slowly transform into delicate, glistening crystals feels like a delicious science experiment.

Each shard of this rock candy delivers a warming, intense cinnamon kick that dances on your palate.

The process might seem intricate, but anyone can master this sugary art with a few basic techniques.

Prepare to delight your taste buds with this enchanting homemade candy that promises to become a cherished treat.

Cinnamon Rock Candy Ingredients You’ll Need

• Granulated Sugar: Provides the sweet foundation and structure for the rock candy, selecting pure white, fine-grained sugar ensures smooth crystallization.
• Corn Syrup: Prevents sugar crystallization, creating a smooth, glossy texture and preventing grainy candy formation.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and creates the initial liquid base for candy making.

• Cinnamon Oil: Delivers intense, warm spicy flavor, choose high-quality food-grade essential oil for potent taste.
• Red Food Coloring: Adds vibrant visual appeal, optional but enhances the candy's festive appearance.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a protective coating preventing candy pieces from sticking together, use fresh, finely ground sugar for best results.
• Parchment Paper/Silicone Mat: Provides a non-stick surface for candy cooling and easy removal, prevents candy from breaking during transfer.

Tools for Making Homemade Rock Candy

• Candy Thermometer: Essential for tracking precise sugar temperatures accurately.
• Large Heavy-Bottomed Saucepan: Ensures even heat distribution and prevents burning.
• Large Baking Sheet: Provides a flat surface for cooling and spreading hot candy mixture.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat: Creates a non-stick surface for easy candy removal.
• Wooden Spoon or Heat-Resistant Spatula: Used for stirring sugar mixture without scratching pan.
• Mallet or Rolling Pin: Helps break cooled candy into bite-sized pieces.
• Powdered Sugar Sifter: Allows light dusting to prevent candy pieces from sticking together.

Candy Making: How to Cook Cinnamon Rock Bites

• Prep Your Workspace

Clear a clean, flat surface and grab a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly dust with powdered sugar for easy candy removal.

• Fire Up the Sugar Mixture

Toss granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water into a hefty saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring until sugar vanishes completely.

• Watch the Candy Magic Happen

Clip on a candy thermometer without touching the pan’s bottom. Let the mixture bubble and boil without stirring, tracking temperatures carefully.

• Nail the Perfect Temperature

Keep heating until the mixture hits exactly 300F. This sweet spot takes about 20-25 minutes – patience is key! Watch like a hawk to avoid burning.

• Flavor Bomb Time

Pull the pan off heat and quickly stir in cinnamon oil. Add a splash of red food coloring if you want some visual pop. Be careful – it might steam!

• Spread and Cool

Pour the molten candy onto your prepared sheet. Tilt gently to create an even layer. Let it chill and harden at room temperature for about an hour.

• Crack and Package

Once totally solid, break the candy into delightful bite-sized pieces using a mallet or spoon’s back. Dust with powdered sugar and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Flavor Switch-Ups for Rock Candy Fans

• Candy Temperature Precision: Use a reliable candy thermometer and monitor heat closely; even a few degrees can drastically change candy texture, ensuring perfect hardness and crunch.
• Flavor Enhancement Tricks: Experiment with different essential oil intensities like peppermint or clove to create unique cinnamon rock candy variations that suit personal taste preferences.
• Safety First Technique: Wear heat-resistant gloves and long sleeves when handling hot sugar syrup to prevent potential burns during the candy-making process.
• Dietary Adaptation Options: Create gluten-free versions by confirming corn syrup and food coloring ingredients are certified gluten-free; substitute with alternative sweeteners for low-sugar diets.
• Storage and Gifting Hacks: Package rock candy in clear cellophane bags with festive ribbons for beautiful homemade gifts, maintaining freshness by storing in cool, dry environments away from humidity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 155 kcal

Servings: 12

How to Display Cinnamon Rock Candy Gifts

• Festive Party Platter: Create a stunning candy display by arranging cinnamon rock candy pieces on a decorative wooden board. Pair with dark chocolate truffles and coffee for a sophisticated dessert presentation.
• Holiday Gift Idea: Package the colorful cinnamon rock candy in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons. Perfect for homemade holiday gifts or party favors that add a personal touch.
• Cocktail and Dessert Companion: Use these spicy cinnamon candy pieces as a stirrer for hot toddies, mulled wine, or as a garnish for creamy desserts like vanilla panna cotta. The candy will slowly infuse warmth and sweet cinnamon flavor.
• Ice Cream Topping Twist: Crush the rock candy into smaller fragments and sprinkle over vanilla, chocolate, or caramel ice cream. The added crunch and bold cinnamon flavor will elevate a simple dessert into something extraordinary.

Storage Tips for Crisp Cinnamon Rock Candy

• Quick Cooling Technique: Spread candy on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for faster cooling, reducing waiting time and ensuring even temperature distribution.
• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep rock candy in a sealed glass jar with a tight lid, away from humidity and direct sunlight to maintain crisp texture and prevent softening.
• Temperature Control Tips: Store at consistent room temperature between 60-70°F to prevent candy from becoming sticky or developing unwanted moisture crystals.
• Separation Strategy: Layer pieces between wax paper sheets inside the storage container to prevent fragile candy from breaking and sticking together during storage.

Sweet Cinnamon Rock Candy Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet cinnamon rock candy delivers a spicy-sweet crunch that delights taste buds with its nostalgic charm. Homemade confections like this classic treat connect generations through simple sugary pleasures you’ll savor with pure delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3.75 cups (887.5 ml) granulated sugar
• 1.5 cups (355 ml) light corn syrup
• 1 cup (237 ml) water
• 1 tsp (5 ml) cinnamon oil
• Red food coloring (optional)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Candy thermometer
• Large saucepan
• Heat-resistant spoon
• Baking sheet or large heatproof surface
• Parchment paper or silicone mat

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Layer a parchment-lined baking sheet with a light powdered sugar coating to create a non-stick surface for candy creation.
2. Sugar Syrup Creation: Merge granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy saucepan, gently heating until the mixture transforms into a translucent liquid with completely dissolved sugar crystals.
3. Temperature Monitoring: Secure a candy thermometer to the pan’s side, allowing the liquid to reach a vigorous boil without additional stirring, maintaining a consistent heat until the syrup precisely reaches 300F (typically 20-25 minutes).
4. Flavor Infusion: Remove the saucepan from heat and rapidly integrate cinnamon oil and red food coloring, exercising caution with potential steam and rapid bubbling.
5. Candy Forming: Execute a controlled pour of the molten mixture onto the prepared sheet, tilting to distribute an even, thin layer across the surface.
6. Cooling and Crystallization: Allow the candy to rest undisturbed at room temperature for approximately one hour, enabling complete solidification and developing its characteristic brittle consistency.
7. Fragmentation and Finishing: Fracture the hardened candy into irregular, bite-sized pieces using a mallet or rolling pin, then delicately dust with powdered sugar to prevent adhesion and enhance visual presentation.
8. Storage: Transfer the finished cinnamon rock candy to an airtight container, preserving its crisp texture and intense flavor for up to two weeks at ambient temperature.

Notes

• Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Stir gently when dissolving sugar to avoid creating sugar crystals that can ruin the candy’s smooth texture.
• Temperature Precision: Use a reliable candy thermometer and watch carefully, as even a few degrees can dramatically change the candy’s final consistency.
• Handle Hot Syrup Safely: Wear long sleeves and use protective gloves when working with molten sugar to prevent painful burns from potential splatters.
• Manage Flavor Intensity: Adjust cinnamon oil quantity to personal taste, starting with less and adding incrementally to control the spice level without overwhelming the sweetness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 88
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg