Red Hot Candy
Red Hot Candy offers a spicy, sweet treat with cinnamon flavor, perfect for those who enjoy bold, fiery confections. Great for sharing or gifting.
Ingredients
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 cups white corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon oil ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon red food coloring
Instructions
- Combine sugar and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat until it reaches hard-crack stage.
- Remove from heat and add cinnamon oil and red food coloring.
- Pour into a greased 13 x 9-inch pan.
- Let cool completely.
- Remove from pan and break into small pieces.
- Store tightly sealed.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, use a candy thermometer to accurately monitor the temperature to ensure you reach the hard-crack stage, around 300°F (150°C). If cinnamon oil is unavailable, you can substitute with cinnamon extract, but the flavor may not be as intense. Be careful when adding food coloring, as a little goes a long way. For a twist, consider adding a pinch of cayenne for heat.
Serving Suggestions
Break the candy into small pieces and serve as a fun treat during gatherings or as party favors. It pairs beautifully with Chocolate Banana Bobs for a sweet dessert table. You can also use it as a topping for ice cream or mix it into trail mixes for a spicy-sweet snack.
Storage & Reheating
Store the Red Hot Candy in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its crunch and flavor. Avoid humidity, as it can cause the candy to become sticky. It can last for several weeks if kept sealed properly. Do not refrigerate, as this can alter the texture and make it chewy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Red Hot Candy contains roughly 1 calories, with 0g protein and 0g carbohydrates.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of corn syrup?
If you need a substitute for white corn syrup, you can use light molasses or honey, although this may alter the flavor slightly. Make sure to adjust the sweetness levels as molasses is less sweet than corn syrup.
How can I make this recipe less spicy?
To reduce the spiciness, simply decrease the amount of cinnamon oil used in the recipe. You can also consider using a milder flavoring like vanilla extract, though it will change the essence of the candy.
Can I add nuts or other flavors to this candy?
Absolutely! You can fold in chopped nuts like pecans or almonds after pouring the mixture into the pan. Just make sure to let the candy cool slightly before adding them to ensure they don’t sink to the bottom.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).