Peppermint candy

Make your own candy

How hard is it to make hard candy for yourself? Not hard at all. Once you’ve got this recipe down, try using juice flavors instead of mint, and pouring the candy into molds instead of on to a cookie sheet.

How to make peppermint candy:

In a medium-size frying pan over medium-high heat, put a cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water. Stir once and then do not stir again while it heats up. You can gently swirl the pan from time to time. You’ll see the sugar syrup start to form bubbles, and then there will be a lot of bubbles. Pass the time by greasing a cookie sheet with butter or oil.

But eventually the sugar will begin to turn brown. Let it get to be the color of hazelnuts – the whole thing a little brown – and then add 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract.

Carefully pour the sugar on to the baking sheet and tip the baking sheet so it makes a thin coat. Let the candy cool about half an hour until it is hard, and then break it up into little pieces.

Vegetarian or vegan

Just naturally vegan if you use oil to grease the cookie sheet! Enjoy!

Can I keep this for later?

Sure. This candy will be good for quite some time if you keep it cool and dry.

Published by Karen Carr

Dr. Karen Carr is Associate Professor Emerita, Department of History, Portland State University. She holds a doctorate in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Michigan. Follow her on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, or buy her book, Vandals to Visigoths.

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