Candy Gems

Name: Candy Gems
Yield: Makes 3 dozen
Ingredients: 2 cups sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1/4 cup corn syrup; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon extract; Gel-paste food coloring, such as Tulip Red, Orange, or Soft Pink

Any extract, such as orange or almond, can be used in place of cinnamon. Present to your Valentine in a handmade jewelry box.

Source: Martha Stewart Living, February 2010

Makes 3 dozen

Yield

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon extract
Gel-paste food coloring, such as Tulip Red, Orange, or Soft Pink

Directions

1. Bring 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 2 tablespoons corn syrup to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat until syrup registers 300 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon extract and 1 or 2 drops food coloring using a rubber spatula. (Mixture will steam and bubble when liquid is added, so be careful.) Transfer mixture to a liquid measuring cup, and let the bubbles settle slightly, about 15 seconds.
2. Slowly pour mixture into gem candy molds just below the top. Let cool until candies harden, about 30 minutes. Remove candies from molds. Repeat with remaining 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons corn syrup, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon extract, and 1 or 2 drops food coloring (same color as first batch).
3. Let second batch cool slightly, about 3 minutes. Top with first batch of hardened candies, flat sides together, matching sizes and shapes. Let harden and cool completely before removing from molds.

Cook's Notes

Candies can be made and stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

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Reviews

106

How would you rate this recipe?

106

mactecdev

2 SEP, 2018

I believe that the question initially asked was How to make hard candy from only sugar and water? Yet I see more than 2 ingredients. Granted corn syrup is technically a sugar an aldose sugar to be exact, but I don't believe that this recipe is what the question meant. It may have been accepted by people but it really isn't what I was looking for either. I wanted to find a recipe that uses only raw sugar and water to make hard candies. And that is it. No other ingredients are needed or wanted. It looks like I will have to settle for making a batch of those large sugar crystals on a stick type candies. I was hoping for boiled sweets though. Have a great day though and please tone it down on the advertising I find it jarring to be hit with adverts when I am trying to read something.
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teacher_jenny

17 FEB, 2010

Which mold did you buy? Was it the large assorted for $7?
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teacher_jenny

17 FEB, 2010

Which mold did you buy? Was it the large assorted for $7?
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marybethg

9 FEB, 2010

Also don't wait 3 minutes to top the 2nd batch with the 1st batch. The candy may harden too quickly and they won't stick. Short right after getting your mold filled.
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marybethg

8 FEB, 2010

Ahhh...I found a solution. First, spray a little Pam/cooking spray on the mold(s) before you start. Then when pouring, pour quickly and it's okay to have a little string of candy between individual gems....it easily flakes off with a knife. And the gems come out perfect. Cooking spray...who knew?!?!
Reply
marybethg

7 FEB, 2010

And my issue is that I can't get them out of the molds. I've already cracked my new candy mold from Fancy Flours. Help!
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shimmysister

7 FEB, 2010

My candy hardened before i could get it into the molds. Pouring didn't work since it just formed a string. Spooning worked at first but ended up being a big mess.
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wrknmom1

30 JAN, 2010

How do I put the boiling hot syrup into the tiny molds without spilling over??
Reply
MDWV50bt

30 JAN, 2010

Should you use extract or flavored "oils?" I have made hard candy before but we used oils rather than extract because it lost its flavor in the hot misture.
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