How to Color Sugar Crystals

Colored sugar adds a festive touch to many desserts.

Colored sugar crystals make a sweet treat by themselves or dusted on top of a special cake or pastry. Buying colored sugar crystals at the grocery store, however, can be expensive. By making your own colored sugar crystals you not only save money, but you can also create the exact colors you want. Before you get started, note that the process takes about a week to finish.

Things You'll Need

• Nonstick pan
• Water
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• Metal spoon
• Food coloring
• Baking sheet
• Wax paper
• Rubber mallet

Instructions

1. Heat four cups of water in a nonstick saucepan. Heat the water at a medium-high heat until it boils.

2. Add two cups of sugar to the water, a tablespoon at a time. Stir the sugar solution in between spoonfuls. Stir until the all the sugar is added and the clear sugar solution is boiling.

3. Add two to three drops of food coloring to the liquid. Stir it well.

4. Turn off the heat and remove the pot from the burner. Pour the sugar solution onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

5. Allow the sugar solution to set for seven days.

6. Cover the sugar candy with a sheet of wax paper. Hammer the candy lightly with a rubber mallet to break it back into small crystals.

Tips & Warnings

• Separate batches of sugar solution and add different food colors to the batches.

• Store your homemade sugar crystals in an airtight jar, and place them in a cool, dark cabinet or the refrigerator.

• Give colored sugar crystals as tasty gifts by wrapping them in a cellophane bag. Tie them up with some pretty ribbon and you have a thoughtful gift.

References

• Tip Deck: How to Make Sugar Crystals
• Exploratorium: Science of Candy