Homemade Candy Canes

Here is a recipe for homemade candy canes (makes about 6 to 8 large candy canes):

-  1/2 cup water

-  1/2 cup light corn syrup

-  1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

-  2 cups granulated sugar

-  3/4 teaspoons peppermint extract

-  3/4 to 1 teaspoon red food coloring

In a small to medium saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, and 2 cups granulated sugar and mix to incorporate.  Bring to a boil and do not stir until temperature reaches 265 degrees, using a candy thermometer.  Make sure it reaches full temperature or it will not harden and will be gooey when trying to make the candy canes (this happened to me on my second batch....it was like taffy candy)!  Once temperature is reached, remove from heat and stir in 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.  Spoon out half the sugar mixture into another bowl and add red food coloring and mix.  Let both mixtures cool so you can handle it with your hands without burning them.  This also happened to me.  I didn't not wait long enough and burnt my hand :(.

While the mixtures are cooling, butter two to three cookie sheets and a spatula.  I used two spatulas, one for the red mixture and one for the clear.  Once sugar mixtures are cool enough to handle, coat your hands with butter and form into 12 to 18 inch long cylinders (depending on the size you want your candy canes) and roll out on buttered cookie sheet(s).  I used two cookie sheets for this, one for the red candy and one or the clear candy.  Rope the two colors together and form into a candy cane (best to do this before it hardens!) and place candy cane on third buttered cookie sheet to cool.  Repeat until both or one of the mixtures runs out.  Also, if the candy starts to harden in the bowl before you are able to use it, you can briefly put the bowl on a lit burner for just a few seconds to soften.  Make sure the bowl you are using is safe to put it onto a burner without damaging it or causing a fire.  Enjoy!

*You can also do this to make mint flavored candy canes (sticks) as well.  Just substitute peppermint extract for mint extract and red food coloring for green food coloring.  Happy candy making!