If you have a sweet tooth that loves a little warmth and spice, the Cinnamon Rock Candy Recipe is a delightful treat that’s both eye-catching and incredibly flavorful. This recipe combines the satisfying crunch of rock candy with a rich cinnamon kick, making it a perfect homemade confection to share, gift, or simply savor on your own. With easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward steps, creating your own batch of cinnamon-infused rock candy will soon become one of your favorite kitchen adventures.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in the Cinnamon Rock Candy Recipe plays a crucial role in building that perfect balance of texture, sweetness, and cinnamon warmth. These simple pantry staples come together to create a candy that’s not just delicious but also visually stunning.
- Water: The foundation that dissolves the sugar and corn syrup to create the candy syrup.
- Sugar: Provides the crystalline sweetness essential for rock candy texture.
- Light Corn Syrup: Prevents crystallization and adds chewiness to the candy.
- Red Food Coloring: Gives the candy its inviting warm hue that matches the cinnamon theme.
- Cinnamon Oil: Offers that signature spicy warmth and aroma—be sure to adjust to your preferred spice level.
- Powdered Sugar: Used for dusting, adding a beautiful finish and preventing stickiness.
- Butter: Essential for greasing the pan and parchment paper to ensure your candy releases easily.
How to Make Cinnamon Rock Candy Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Start by buttering a 15x10x1-inch sheet cake pan generously, then line it with parchment paper. Butter the parchment paper thoroughly to prevent your candy from sticking. This step is key for an easy release later when your candy is ready to break into pieces.
Step 2: Make the Candy Base
Combine the water, sugar, light corn syrup, and red food coloring in a large saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat until the sugar starts dissolving. This mixture gradually transforms into the magical syrup that solidifies into the crunchy rock candy.
Step 3: Heat to Hard Crack Stage
Attach a candy thermometer to the side of your saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. The goal is hitting the hard crack stage at 300°F, which usually takes about 20 minutes. Keep a close eye on the mixture to prevent it from boiling over; briefly removing it from the heat if it climbs too high is a helpful trick.
Step 4: Add Cinnamon
Once your candy syrup reaches 300°F, take it off the heat. Stir in the cinnamon oil carefully, as it’s very potent. This step is where your Cinnamon Rock Candy Recipe truly comes alive, infusing the candy with that spicy, warm flavor that makes it unforgettable.
Step 5: Pour and Cool
Pour the hot cinnamon syrup quickly into your prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Let it cool undisturbed for at least 4 hours so the candy can harden properly into that signature crisp texture.
Step 6: Break and Dust
After cooling, sprinkle powdered sugar generously on top to prevent stickiness. Flip the candy upside down onto a cutting board, peel off the parchment paper, and break into bite-sized pieces with a knife. Dust with more powdered sugar for an extra pretty finish.
Step 7: Store
Keep your homemade cinnamon rock candy fresh by storing it in an airtight container. This preserves the crunch and keeps your candy ready to enjoy whenever the craving strikes.
How to Serve Cinnamon Rock Candy Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar or a light dusting of cinnamon on your cinnamon rock candy pieces to enhance their look and flavor. For a festive touch, place a small cinnamon stick alongside each serving for aroma and visual charm.
Side Dishes
Cinnamon rock candy pairs wonderfully with warm beverages like chai tea, hot apple cider, or even a simple cup of coffee. The spicy sweetness complements these drinks beautifully and makes for a cozy, comforting treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Presented in decorative glass jars or wrapped in cellophane tied with rustic twine, these candies make delightful homemade gifts. You can also skewer pieces on cocktail sticks to serve as fun stirrers for hot drinks or as a playful edible centerpiece for a seasonal party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your cinnamon rock candy crunchy and delicious, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid moist or humid environments as they can soften the candy.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for rock candy because condensation can cause it to become sticky and lose its crunchy texture when thawed.
Reheating
Reheating rock candy is unnecessary and not advised since the candy is meant to be enjoyed in its hardened form. Instead, simply serve at room temperature and enjoy the natural snap.
FAQs
Can I use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon oil?
Ground cinnamon won’t dissolve properly in the hot syrup and may leave a gritty texture, so cinnamon oil is best for this recipe as it infuses evenly and smoothly.
How spicy is the cinnamon flavor?
The cinnamon oil packs a punch, but you can adjust the amount between 1 to 2 teaspoons depending on how warm or mild you want your rock candy to taste.
Can I make this recipe without food coloring?
Yes, you can skip the red food coloring if you prefer a natural look, but the deep red hue adds a festive and appealing touch to your cinnamon rock candy.
How long does the rock candy last?
If stored properly in an airtight container, your cinnamon rock candy can stay fresh for several weeks, maintaining its crunch and flavor.
What’s the best way to break the candy without making a mess?
After dusting with powdered sugar, flipping it onto a cutting board and using a sharp knife to break the candy ensures neat, bite-sized pieces with minimal stickiness.
Final Thoughts
Making your own Cinnamon Rock Candy Recipe is a truly rewarding kitchen project. With its perfect balance of sweet crunch and bold cinnamon warmth, it’s a candy that’s sure to impress friends and family alike. Don’t hesitate to try this recipe and add a homemade touch of magic to your sweet treats collection.
Print
Cinnamon Rock Candy Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 0 servings (makes about one 15×10-inch sheet of rock candy)
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cinnamon Rock Candy recipe creates vibrant, spicy-sweet crystalline treats with a bold cinnamon kick. Perfect for candy lovers who enjoy a unique twist on traditional rock candy, it involves boiling sugar syrup to the hard crack stage, flavoring it with cinnamon oil, and cooling it into crunchy, colorful shards dusted with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Liquid Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
- 1 tsp red food coloring
- 1–2 tsp cinnamon oil (adjust for spice level)
Dry Ingredients
- 3 3/4 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Others
- Butter for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Butter a 15x10x1-inch sheet cake pan thoroughly, then line it with parchment paper. Butter the parchment paper well to ensure the candy doesn’t stick after setting.
- Make the Candy Base: In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, corn syrup, and red food coloring. Stir over medium-high heat to begin dissolving the sugar evenly throughout the mixture.
- Heat to Hard Crack Stage: Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue heating without stirring until the temperature reaches 300°F, indicating the hard crack stage. This usually takes about 20 minutes. If the syrup threatens to overflow, carefully remove it from the heat briefly.
- Add Cinnamon: Once the mixture reaches 300°F, remove the pan from heat. Immediately and carefully stir in the cinnamon oil, being cautious as the aroma is strong and potent.
- Pour and Cool: Quickly pour the hot candy syrup into the prepared buttered and parchment-lined pan. Allow it to cool undisturbed at room temperature for at least 4 hours until completely hardened.
- Break and Dust: After the candy has fully cooled and hardened, dust the surface with powdered sugar. Flip the candy slab onto a cutting board, peel off the parchment paper, and use a knife to break it into bite-sized pieces. Optionally dust with more powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Store: Store the cinnamon rock candy pieces in an airtight container to preserve freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Be very careful when handling hot sugar syrup to avoid burns.
- The amount of cinnamon oil can be adjusted to taste but start with less as it is very strong.
- If you don’t have cinnamon oil, cinnamon extract can be used but may affect the texture.
- Use a candy thermometer for accuracy to achieve the perfect hard crack stage.
- Ensure the pan is well buttered to make removing the candy easier.
