How to Melt Hard Candies

Create your own lollipops or apple coating by melting a variety of hard candies.

Melting hard candies poses the same problems with making homemade candy. The sugar in the hard candies can easily burn in the concentrated heat from the stove top, and the hard candies do not have enough moisture to microwave. The best way to melt hard candies without burning them is as close as your oven. Parchment paper to line the baking pan is critical. This heat-proof paper will not burn in the oven and the melted candy will not stick to it.

Things You'll Need

• Parchment paper
• Baking pan
• Resealable bag
• Towel
• Rubber mallet

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Line the baking pan with parchment paper.

3. Place the hard candies for melting into the resealable bag and close.

4. Wrap the bag in a towel and lightly tap the candies in the bag through the towel with the mallet until most of the candies are crushed into smaller bits.

5. Pour the crushed candies into the parchment paper-lined baking pan.

6. Bake the candies in the oven for eight to 10 minutes or until they are completely melted.

Tips & Warnings

• Pour the melted hard candy into cornstarch-dusted lollipop molds or dip apples on sticks into the candy for a sweet and crunchy coating.

References

• BHG: Lollipop Hearts Recipe
• "300 Ways to Make the Best Christmas Ever!"; Kristen Birkeland, et al; 2004