Best 7 Peppermint Hard Candy Recipes

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Peppermint hard candy is a classic confection that can be enjoyed all year round. They are a delicious and refreshing treat that can be easily made at home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of peppermint hard candies that are sure to please everyone. Whether you are looking for a sweet treat to enjoy during the holidays or are looking for a refreshing snack to enjoy anytime, this article will introduce you to the best recipes for peppermint hard candy.

Let's cook with our recipes!

HARD CANDY PEPPERMINT TWISTS



Hard Candy Peppermint Twists image

It's fun to tuck a few of these twists onto a platter of Christmas cookies. The holidays in out home wouldn't be the same without peppermint candies.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h40m

Yield about 1/2 pound.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 cups sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
1/8 teaspoon red food coloring

Steps:

  • Coat two 9-in. square pans with cooking spray; set aside. (Do not use butter or foil to prepare pans.), In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine water and vinegar. Add sugar. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil, about 8 minutes. (If sugar crystals are present, cover saucepan for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes to allow steam to wash crystals down.) Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage), about 26 minutes., Combine peppermint extract and food coloring. Remove syrup from the heat; stir in peppermint mixture until well blended (mixture will bubble up slightly). Immediately and carefully pour into prepared pans (do not scrape saucepan or tilt pans to spread mixture evenly). Cool for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes., Using a sharp knife, score candy into 1/2-in.-to 3/4-in.-wide pieces, about 3-in. long. Place both pans in a warm oven(150° or your oven's lowest temperature) for about 5 minutes or until candy is warm enough to cut but cool enough to handle., Using a heavy-duty kitchen scissors, cut along scored lines, one piece at a time. Immediately wrap each piece around the handle of a wooden spoon; remove candy and place on waxed paper to harden. Continue cutting and wrapping until mixture in pan begins to harden. Return pan to oven for at least 5 minutes. , Meanwhile, remove second pan from oven. Cut and wrap as before until mixture begins to harden. Return to oven and repeat with the first pan. Repeat until all mixture is cut and formed into twists.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 198 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 1mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (48g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

PEPPERMINT HARD CANDY



Peppermint Hard Candy image

This easy-to-make clear hard candy has a mint flavor from the combination of peppermint and vanilla extracts. It's a perfect Christmas candy recipe for the holidays. &Mdash; Lois Ostenson, Aneta, North Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield about 1-1/4 pounds.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 tablespoon butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 to 8 drops green food coloring, optional

Steps:

  • Line a 13-in. x 9-in. pan with foil. Grease the foil with 1 tablespoon butter; set aside. In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook for 3 minutes to dissolve sugar crystals. Uncover; cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage)., Remove from the heat; stir in extracts and food coloring. Pour into prepared pan. Cool; break into pieces. Store in airtight containers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 261 calories, Fat 1g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 52mg sodium, Carbohydrate 65g carbohydrate (55g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

HARD CANDY



Hard Candy image

An easy recipe for hard candy. The hardest part is waiting for the sugar to reach the proper temperature. Be patient and use a candy thermometer for perfect candy. This recipe can easily be adjusted by using different flavored extracts and food colorings.

Provided by JUDITH SYNESAEL

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 ¾ cups white sugar
1 ½ cups light corn syrup
1 cup water
1 tablespoon orange, or other flavored extract
½ teaspoon food coloring
¼ cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, stir together the white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil. Without stirring, heat to 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard, brittle threads.
  • Remove from heat and stir in flavored extract and food coloring, if desired. Pour onto a greased cookie sheet, and dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Let cool, and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 123.6 calories, Carbohydrate 32.2 g, Sodium 8.5 mg, Sugar 25.3 g

OLD-FASHIONED HOMEMADE HARD CANDY



Old-Fashioned Homemade Hard Candy image

This is an old recipe from my childhood. Many people have memories of cutting this candy with their mother's and grandmothers. I have passed it on and am now posting here for all to share in this classic Christmas tradition!

Provided by Tami L. Smith

Categories     Desserts     Candy Recipes

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups white sugar
1 cup water
¾ cup light corn syrup
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
1 drop red food coloring
⅛ cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a heavy 2 quart saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Cook, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved; then cook without stirring, lowering the heat and cooking more slowly during the last few minutes, to the hard crack stage (300 degrees F), If sugar crystals form on sides of pan, wipe them off with a damp brush.
  • Remove from heat, add oil flavoring and enough food coloring to color; stir only to mix. Pour into 2 well buttered 9 inch pans. Set one pan of candy over a sauce pan containing hot water (unless you have a helper to help cut the candy). As soon as the other pan of candy is cool enough to handle, cut it with scissors into 1-inch strips. Then snip the strips into pieces. Work fast. Drop the pieces onto a buttered baking sheet. If the candy cools too quickly, set it on a saucepan over hot water to soften it, but if it gets sticky, return at once to the work counter.
  • Toss in a small amount of powdered sugar to keep from sticking together. Repeat with the second pan of candy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 115.5 calories, Carbohydrate 30.2 g, Sodium 8 mg, Sugar 24 g

OLD-TIME HARD CANDY



Old-Time Hard Candy image

Make and share this Old-Time Hard Candy recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Darlene Summers

Categories     Candy

Time 40m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

3 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1 cup water
1 teaspoon peppermint oil
3 -5 drops green food coloring

Steps:

  • Combine sugar, syrup and water.
  • Bring to a boil and boil till it reaches 310°.
  • Add oil and food color.
  • Spread in a lightly buttered cookie sheet.
  • Cool and break.
  • Shake in a bag with powdered sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 423.1, Sodium 13.8, Carbohydrate 110.1, Sugar 99.4

3-INGREDIENT PEPPERMINT ROCKY ROAD CANDIES



3-Ingredient Peppermint Rocky Road Candies image

To crush candies easily, minus any peppermint shrapnel, place them in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin, meat mallet, or the back of a large spoon.

Provided by Dawn Perry

Categories     3-Ingredient Recipes     Candy     Chocolate     Mint     Christmas     Marshmallow

Yield Makes 28-30

Number Of Ingredients 3

12 ounces dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (preferably 63% cacao)
1 cup mini marshmallows
3/4 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (about 4 1/2 ounces), divided

Steps:

  • Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. Heat chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over a medium pot of barely simmering water (bottom of bowl should not touch water), stirring occasionally, or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring in between bursts, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
  • Fold marshmallows and 1/2 cup candies into chocolate until evenly combined. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of chocolate mixture onto prepared baking sheets; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup candies. Chill until set, about 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature.
  • Do Ahead
  • Candies can be made 5 days ahead; transfer to an airtight container and chill.

PEPPERMINT CANDY



Peppermint Candy image

I've been making these for years as they are easy to whip but have and excellent flavor. What colors you make them and how you decorate them depends on the occasion. Originally from a Philadelphia Cream Cheese booklet.

Provided by Marg CaymanDesigns

Categories     Candy

Time 20m

Yield 60 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (or few drops peppermint oil)
4 cups powdered sugar
green food coloring
red food coloring
sifted powdered sugar
green decorating icing (optional)
red decorating icing (optional)
white decorating icing (optional)
melted chocolate (to garnish) (optional)

Steps:

  • Beat cream cheese, butter, corn syrup and extract in large mixing bowl at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended.
  • Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar; mix well.
  • Divide mixture into thirds. Knead a few drops green food coloring into one third; repeat with red food coloring and the second third. Leave the last third white.
  • Wrap each third in plastic wrap.
  • Working with one color mixture at a time, shape into 3/4-inch balls.
  • Place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Flatten each ball with bottom of glass that has been lightly dipped in confectioner's sugar.
  • Repeat with remaining mixtures.
  • Decorating with icing or melted chocolate.
  • Chill.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 40.4, Fat 0.8, SaturatedFat 0.5, Cholesterol 2.6, Sodium 8.2, Carbohydrate 8.3, Sugar 8, Protein 0.1

Tips:

  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching and ensure even heat distribution.
  • Use a candy thermometer to accurately measure the temperature of the sugar syrup, ensuring the candy reaches the desired stage (soft ball, hard ball, etc.).
  • Stir the sugar syrup constantly to prevent crystallization and ensure a smooth, glossy texture.
  • Add flavorings and colorings just before removing the syrup from the heat, as high temperatures can diminish their potency.
  • Pour the hot candy onto a greased baking sheet or silicone mat in a thin layer to ensure even cooling and crystallization.
  • Allow the candy to cool completely before breaking it into pieces, as handling it while warm can cause it to deform.
  • Store the peppermint hard candy in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its freshness and prevent moisture absorption.

Conclusion:

Creating homemade peppermint hard candy is a delightful culinary project that yields delicious, refreshing treats. By following these tips and carefully adhering to the recipes provided, you can craft delectable sweets that are perfect for gifting, enjoying as a special occasion treat, or simply savoring as a sweet indulgence. Embrace the minty freshness and enjoy the process of making these timeless candies that bring joy and delight to all who taste them.

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