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A close-up of a clear plastic bag containing Linda's Hard Candy, tied with a bright red ribbon. The bag and ribbon are in sharp focus, with a soft, blurred background.

Linda's Hard Candy Recipe

My mom's candy recipe is amazing, and I was so relieved when I thought we had lost it. I love the added flavor of vanilla and salt, two ingredients you don't find in most candy recipes. In fact, I have not found one like my mom's. This was a holiday tradition for years; there is even a list of recipients who would get a bag of it for Christmas. I hope your family and friends enjoy it as much as ours have.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course candy
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Heavy Saucepan
  • Candy thermometer
  • wooden spoon
  • large measuring cup
  • Candy molds or Cookie sheets

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups Sugar
  • 1 cup Light Karo Syrup
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 2 tsp Flavoring Oil
  • Food Coloring

Instructions
 

  • Mix the first four ingredients. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then stop stirring.
  • Add your candy thermometer, if using one.
  • Allow mixture to come to Hard Crack stage, 300 degrees.
  • Remove mixture from heat.
  • Mix in vanilla, flavoring oil, and food coloring.
  • Pour into prepared molds or cookie sheets.
  • Once cooled, remove from molds, or break into pieces and store in a Ziploc or container.

Video

Notes

Please be cautious when making this recipe, especially if you have little kids around. This mixture is hot and can burn if it touches your skin, so it is important to be safe.
Keyword candy, holidays
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