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–+ servings
colorful rock candy sticks in an aqua mason jar
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4.84 from 12 votes

Homemade Rock Candy

Learn how to make rock candy at home with this easy rock candy recipe and tutorial! A delicious and fun science experiment for kids that combines science and sweets!
Course Dessert
Cuisine Candy
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 6 days
Servings 12 Rock Candy Sticks
Calories 70kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 6-inch Wooden Skewers
  • 12+ cups Granulated Sugar
  • 4 cups Warm Water
  • Food Coloring, if desired
  • 1 dram Candy Flavoring, if desired
  • 6 Quart-Sized Mason Jars
  • 12 Clothespins

Instructions

  • Soak sticks briefly in water and roll in sugar to coat. Allow to dry completely.
    wooden skewer being rolled in a plate of sugar
  • Add warm water to a large saucepan. Stir in 8 cups of sugar until no more will dissolve.
  • Place the saucepan on the stove, and bring to a low boil over medium heat. Add remaining sugar and any additional sugar as needed until you reach a fully saturated solution and no more sugar will dissolve. If you’re using a candy thermometer, you’ll want the temperature to reach around 250 degrees F. Allow to cool for 20-30 minutes.
    boiling sugar water for diy rock candy
  • Carefully pour the mixture into the mason jars and add food coloring and/or candy flavoring as desired.
    glass mason jars with drops of food coloring inside
  • Add two sugared sticks to each jar, making sure that the sticks don't touch the jar or each other. Use clothespins to hold the sticks in place as needed.
    three mason jars full of colorful sugar solution and wooden skewers
  • Place the jars in a warm and undisturbed location. Wait for 5-10 days until crystals are fully formed. Remove the sticks from the jar and enjoy.
    rock candy crystals developing on a stick in a mason jar of yellow sugar solution

Nutrition

Serving: 1stick | Calories: 70kcal