How to Make Candy Canes

Candy canes are a delicious part of the Christmas season, but have you ever craved a candy cane in the middle of summer when it is impossible to find them? Well, here is an easy recipe to make candy canes any time of the year. You do not have to wait until December to enjoy these tasty treats.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Candy thermometer
• 2 cups of sugar
• 1/2 cup of light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/4 tsp. of cream of tartar
• 3/4 tsp. of peppermint extract
• 1 tsp. of red food coloring

1. Take a large, heavy bottomed sauce pan out of your cupboards and add the sugar, corn syrup, water and the cream of tartar and mix them very well. Be sure to completely stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.

2. Using a candy thermometer inserted into the mixture, cook the mixture without stirring until the candy thermometer reaches 265 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Take the mixture away from the heat and drop in the peppermint extract. Get out another pan and take half of the mixture and place it into the second pan. Mix in the red food coloring to one of the mixtures.

4. Allow the candy to cool. While you are waiting grease 3 cookie sheets.

5. Put some butter on your hands and a spatula. Use the spatula that you have buttered to cut off a portion of one of the clear taffy. Enlist a friend or family to help you and have that person do the same thing with the red taffy after they have greased their own hands.

6. Pull and fold the pieces repeatedly on your cookie sheet until they appear glossy, then roll them into an 18 inch long coil.

7. Twist the head of the cane before setting it aside to cool on the third greased cookie sheet.

Tips & Warnings

• Recipe makes 6 medium-sized candy canes.