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    Home » Recipes » Kids in the Kitchen

    Homemade Rock Candy: Tips and Tricks (Video)

    Modified: Jun 6, 2025 · Published: Mar 29, 2020 by Brandy · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Make homemade rock candy with these tips and tricks and answers to frequently asked questions. A fun science experiment and treat for kids! Rock candy takes 5-7 days to grow, but the process is fun to watch!

    Looking for more science experiments for kids? Check out our collection of easy science experiments using household ingredients! 

    Watch our step by step video!

    With kids out of school earlier than planned this year we decided to make rock candy again! We've updated this post with new photos and a video from our most recent batch of rock candy. Like last time, we made A LOT of jars of syrup. Like 8 cups of water and 20 cups of sugar worth. That fills 12 small jars. You DO NOT need to make this much. As long as you keep the ratio the same it will work the same! Our rock candy crystals have come out in varying sizes over the years. There are a lot of factors that come into play, but regardless they taste delicious!
    Grab a bag of sugar out of your pantry, a few wooden skewers or rock candy sticks (cotton string works too), empty jars, and food coloring and let's get started!

    Homemade Rock Candy is easy to make, it just takes patience.

    There are so many variations using string, sticks, etc. It's a beautiful science project and sweet treat all in one. It does take time, and the end results can vary. There's a science to it and that's all part of the fun! Just know this... YOU NEED A WHOLE LOT OF SUGAR. A LOT. You can start with a 1:2 water/sugar ratio, but we've had better luck just shy of a 1:3 water sugar ratio. So if you have 4 cups of water, you'll need between about 10 cups of sugar to make the perfect sugar syrup.

    stick of finished orange rock candy

    Scroll to the bottom for some frequently asked questions for making rock candy.

    How to Make Rock Candy on a Stick

    3 sticks of finished rock candy

    Homemade Rock Candy Recipe

    Make homemade rock candy with these tips and tricks and answers to frequently asked questions. A fun science experiment and treat for kids!
    4.16 from 19 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    growing time: 7 days days
    Total Time: 7 days days 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 50kcal
    Author: Brandy Nelson
    Cost: $5

    Equipment

    • funnel
    • glass jars
    • clothespins
    • large pot

    Ingredients

    • Granulated sugar lots of sugar
    • Water
    • Food Coloring concentrated for brighter colors
    • Wooden Candy Sticks or Bamboo Skewers
    • flavoring optional, Lorann is my favorite brand

    Instructions

    • Trim down your skewers to a reasonable size to fit in whatever jars or cups that you will be using. You'll also want to get rid of the point. Dip them in water, then roll in sugar.
      sugar coated skewers for rock candy
    • Let the sticks dry completely and set aside. This will give the sugar a base (something to stick to when it starts to crystallize).
    • Heat water on medium-high heat in. a saucepan or large pot (depending on how much syrup you want to make) When it starts to simmer/boil begin adding sugar until you reach a 1:2 to just shy of a 1:3 water-sugar ratio. The mixture will take longer to dissolve the more sugar you add (totally normal). Keep stirring with a wooden spoon until completely dissolved. Remove from heat. CAUTION: it is very HOT!
      pot of sugar water
    • Ladle the syrup into your jars using a funnel to catch spills. Add food coloring and flavorings to each jar, if you’d like wouldn't grape, cherry, orange or lemon flavoring be delicious?).
    • Allow the liquid in the mason jars to cool down a bit. Warm or room temperature. Attach a clothespin to each skewer (the ones you dipped in sugar and let dry) and place in the jar.
      3 jars of colored syrup in jars sitting on window sill
    • Place your jars in a safe location and watch the crystals grow!

    Notes

    • You can create as much or as little syrup as you'd like as long as you keep the same sugar/water ratio. You are making a nice, sticky, sugary syrup. 
    • If after 24 hours you don't see any crystal growth, pour each jar of syrup back into the pan (separately) and add more sugar. ¼ c. or so and heat once more until it is a syrup consistency. Roll the sticky skewers in sugar and add once more to the jar after the syrup has cooled down to be warm (not hot) or room temperature.
    • Make sure the skewer isn't touching the bottom or sides of jar/glass. They need room to grow. One skewer per jar works best for regular sized jars.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 50kcal
    Tried this Recipe? Like it Today!Mention @Gluesticksblog or tag #gluesticksblog!
    jars of rock candy syrup in window
    Day 2. You may notice sugar crystals forming along the bottom of the jar, (most likely from any sugar solution that didn’t dissolve all the way and is settling at the bottom) and there will be a crust on the top surface.
    rock candy growing day 7
    After 5-7 days you can eat your rock candy! Allow the syrup to drain off then set the rock candy on a baking sheet to dry.
    Our beautiful blue rock candy broke as we pulled it out of the jar. I accidentally had the stick too close to the bottom, and the crystals attached to the sugar residue growing on the bottom. It was the only blue jar we had, everything else was red, yellow and green! Oh well.
    3 sticks of finished rock candy
    We had a great time watching them grow and sampling the finished product. We've made rock candy a few times and it is generally ready to pull from the syrup between day 5 and day 7. I've seen others recommend allowing the sticks to sit for 1-2 weeks. Just pull them out when they are to your liking. My kids are always anxious to eat them as soon as they can!

    Frequently Asked Questions:

     

    Can you make more than one stick of rock candy in each jar?

    If you attempt to do more than one skewer/jar, use a wide mouth jar.

    How do you drain the rock candy?

    Hold the lollipop over the jar or paper towels to let most of it drip off and then set it on a cookie sheet to dry.
    There will be crystallized sugar in the bottom of your jars/glasses. Just run them in hot water and chip it out with a butter knife.

    How long will rock candy last?

    The shelf life for rock candy, if kept in a dry location, is 1 year.

    Can I use a disposable foam cup for making rock candy?

    Nope. It has to be glass, and it's easier to watch the crystals grow in a clear glass jar!

    Why didn't my rock candy grow crystals?

    If crystals don't grow it is almost always due to lack of sugar.

    If after 24 hours you don't see any crystal growth, pour the syrup back into the pan and add more sugar. ¼ c. or so and heat once more until it is a hot syrup consistency. Only pour and heat one jar at a time if you used different colors of syrup. Roll the sticky skewers in sugar and add once more to the jar after the syrup has cooled down.

    Is this frustrating to do? Yep. I know, because I've done it before!

    Can you re-use rock candy syrup to make more crystals?

    This is probably the most asked question that readers have e-mailed me over the years. I have not tried to re-use the syrup, but I don't see why you couldn't add another stick (covered in dry sugar) into it and grow another more. It might be worth reheating it to test and make sure that it is still saturated, but you have nothing to lose except a bit of time.

    Should You Cover Your Rock Candy Jars?

    I had no fear of insects or little fingers messing with them so I did not cover mine.

    Here's are a few more tips for making homemade rock candy:

    1. Make sure your glass/jars are clear and CLEAN.
    2. Make sure your water/ sugar ratio is AT LEAST 1:2- just shy of a 1:3.  You want a thick, saturated sugar syrup mixture.
    3. Place in a WARM, SUNNY location if you’d like to grow crystals quicker. They will be smaller crystals. If you want larger crystals, place it in a place away from direct sunlight. Our crystals are small because we grow ours on a windowsill. We like seeing the light shine through the glass and watching the crystals grow.
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    About Brandy

    Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

    Comments

    1. angie says

      September 27, 2020 at 2:06 pm

      Can jello be used for color and flavoring. Of course not a full pkg. I have some dry jello left over from a recipe i tried that completely didnt work. But i dont want to throw it out. But not able to make jello from due to the difference in how much is left.
      This would also allow me to give some unique flavors without having to go out anc buy different flavorings.

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        September 28, 2020 at 9:09 pm

        Hi Angie! I've never thought of using Jello before. Honestly, I'm not sure!

        Reply
    2. Anisha says

      August 10, 2017 at 9:15 am

      I want to make the solution and provide the pegs and sticks as party favours...will it be fine if sticks are dipped into solution a day or two later?

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        August 11, 2017 at 7:31 am

        I would think that would be absolutely fine!

        Reply
    3. Jamie says

      February 11, 2016 at 11:03 am

      Do you think this would work with something like coconut sugar or stivia?

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        February 11, 2016 at 12:24 pm

        Hi Jamie! I honestly don't know. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help! I'm not sure how they compare to sugar. I know you can substitute when baking, but am not sure for things like this.

        Reply
    4. Ricky Conor says

      August 17, 2014 at 11:02 pm

      The most important part is the temperature it boils at, Just 50 degrees off can give you a flexible candy instead of a hard one.

      Reply
    5. Emma says

      May 27, 2014 at 11:02 am

      Question, can the solution be used over again if boiled again and a new stick or string put in?

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        May 27, 2014 at 10:38 pm

        Hi Emma! I haven't tried reusing the solution before because mine usually grow solid crystals on the bottom and sides of the glass as well, but from what I have read from other sites you can reuse the solution if it has been reheated. If it has a slight cloudy look the sugar is still saturated in the syrup. If it looks completely clear, add a little more sugar. Good luck!

        Reply
    6. Heather Janson says

      May 22, 2014 at 11:43 am

      How awesome! Ive always wanted to make these on a stick! I have a question that may have already been asked! Sorry! Once one stick is done growing, is the jar of syrup still good to make another one?

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        May 22, 2014 at 7:24 pm

        Hi Heather! After 5-7 days, there are crystals growing on the bottom of the glass too. I also found this online that said "Rock candy is formed because the solution is "supersaturated" with sugar. Once it forms, the syrup is not supersaturated anymore and will not make more rock candy unless more sugar is again dissolved in it." Hope that helps!

        Reply
    7. austin says

      March 15, 2014 at 8:37 pm

      my is growing out of control all over the glass but it wont grow on the skewer can you please help????

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        March 15, 2014 at 8:43 pm

        Hi austin! I would just recommend taking your sticks out, rolling them in sugar and adding them back. Hopefully the sugar will give the syrup something to stick to. The fact that the crystals are growing on the glass means that your syrup is at a good saturation and so the only other thing I can think of is the sticks. Good luck!

        Reply
    8. Cynthia says

      March 04, 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Well I have to ask because i haven't seen anything about it. What to do when they come out if the jar? They are dripping syrup! I don't want my daughter eating them like that as it causes too much of a mess. Should I pat with paper towels? The syrup is so thick I don't know that paper towels with soak it up.

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        March 04, 2014 at 8:36 pm

        Hi Cynthia! I held the lollipop over the jar to let most of it drip off and then set it on a cookie sheet to dry. You can also leave the clothespin on and just transfer it to an empty jar to let the excess drip off and let the lollipop dry. I will add this to the post in case anyone else is wondering too!

        Reply
    9. Donna Hernandez says

      February 20, 2014 at 3:05 am

      how many does this make at one time? thank you.

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        February 20, 2014 at 8:24 am

        Hi Donna, we used 8 glass cups and were able to get 10 rock candy sticks from those. If you have wide jars you can get two from each jar, but ours were skinny glass cups and the ones that made two were really small. I would stick with 1 stick per glass or small jar.

        Reply
    10. Multishopbd.com says

      January 28, 2014 at 3:10 am

      We tried several years ago to make rock candy without success. We’ll give it a try with your recipe.

      Reply
    11. Suzy Greenwell says

      January 26, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      I remember doing this in science class when i was a kid and the ratio was 500 ml of water to 5 lbs of sugar.. This is crazy that i remember this cause im 48 yrs old.. wow how the mind works..LOL

      Reply
      • Brandy says

        January 26, 2014 at 10:53 pm

        Haha, we remember what is important, right? I never made it as a kid, but had a great time making it as an adult...I just didn't care to eat it. It was fun to watch grow 🙂

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Trackbacks

    1. summer activity. science experiment. oh so fun. | lulu & linenlulu & linen says:
      July 15, 2014 at 8:24 am

      […] This one falls in to the patient category because you do have to wait for those crystals to grow, but I promise it will be worth the wait. The boys followed a recipe by a very creative mommy blogger that shared her secrets {and tips} to rock candy. You can find her scientific and delicious recipe here. […]

      Reply
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