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–+ servings
3 sticks of finished rock candy
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4.16 from 19 votes

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!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword lollipops, rock crystals, sugar crystals
Cook Time 30 minutes
growing time 7 days
Total Time 7 days 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 50kcal
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!

Video

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. 1/4 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