How to Make Rock Candy Suckers

Rock candy is a centuries-old, old-fashioned treat loved by kids. Making rock candy suckers is easy but takes time. Rock candy is made from sugar syrup that evaporates over the course of a week, leaving behind sugar crystals. You can add food coloring or flavored extracts for colorful rock candy suckers or leave them clear.

Things You'll Need

• 6 cups of water
• A sauce pan that will hold six cups of water
• 6 cups granulated sugar
• Wooden spoon
• Candy thermometer
• 1 jar, two quarts, or several smaller jars
• Food coloring
• Flavoring extract
• 1/2 cup extra granulated sugar
• Dinner plate
• Wax paper
• Scissors
• 6 to 8 long bamboo skewers
• Large rubber band

Instructions

1. 

   Granulated sugar is most frequently used but brown sugar can be used, too.

   Fill the saucepan with six cups of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Gradually add the six cups of sugar a couple of tablespoons at a time. Stir constantly with the wooden spoon. Make sure each addition of sugar dissolves and the solution is somewhat clear before adding more sugar.

2. 

   Always use a candy thermometer to make sure you get the solution to the correct temperature.

   Place a candy thermometer in the solution while it continues to boil. When the temperature reaches above 250 degrees Fahrenheit it is ready to pour.

3. 

   Use a large 2-quart jar or several smaller ones.

   Carefully pour the sugar solution into a two-quart wide-mouth jar that has been thoroughly washed. You can also pour the solution into several smaller jars if you wish to color or flavor the candy. Divide evenly between the smaller jars, but make sure to fill each jar over 3/4 of the way.

4. Add one to two drops of food coloring to each jar, if desired. You can also add two or three drops of flavoring, such as citrus, vanilla, maple or raspberry to each jar. Mix with the wooden spoon.

5. 

   Bamboo skewers are usually used for kebabs.

   Pour the half cup of extra sugar onto a dinner plate. Dip the bamboo skewers in the sugar solution, then roll them onto the extra sugar to coat. Carefully place four to six of the bamboo skewers in a large jar and two to three in smaller jars, allowing the tips of each skewer to rest against the mouth of the jars.

6. Cut a square of wax paper two to three times larger than the mouth of the jars.

7. 

   Use a rubber band to make sure the paper stays on the jar.

   Place a square of wax paper over the top of the mouth of each jar. Poke the tips of the bamboo skewers through the wax paper and secure the wax paper over the mouth of each jar. The bamboo skewers should be sticking out of the wax paper. Secure the paper over the mouth of each jar with a rubber band.

8. 

   After a week, you'll have rock candy suckers.

   Place the jars in an area away from direct sunlight where they can remain undisturbed for one week. During that time, the water in the sugar solution will evaporate, while sugar crystals cling to the skewers.

Tips & Warnings

• Use rock candy suckers to sweeten tea or ice tea by using them as stirring sticks.

• Making rock candy on sticks rather than string makes it easy for children to eat it.

• Do not touch, bump or move the jars while the sugar crystals are forming. Doing so will cause the sugar crystals to fall off the skewer.

• Keep the jar out of the sun while the crystals are forming so the water evaporates at a regular rate.

References

• Exploratorium, The Accidental Scientist: Science of Cooking -- Rock Candy
• Homemade Dessert Recipes: Rock Candy Recipies

Resources

• SugarCraft: How to Make Rock Candy
• All Recipes: Old Fashioned Rock Candy