Always a welcomed treat, this Hard Cinnamon Candy is a MUST-MAKE for your Christmas goodies menu!
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Why oh why haven’t I made this candy before now?! My awesome friend and hair stylist (Tracy!) told me recently about this old-time recipe she’s been making for years for Christmas goodies. The recipe is in a cookbook, Island Born and Bred, and I just so happened to have the cookbook!
I’ve had this candy before (and I always love it!) but have never made it until recently. It took me a couple of times to get it to my personal preference. The first time it was way too potent for my taste buds, so I reduced the amount of cinnamon oil on my second batch. If you’re a hard-core hot cinnamon lover, increase the cinnamon oil, but I wouldn’t recommend going over 2 teaspoons (I used one teaspoon in this recipe).
Where can I find cinnamon oil?
I purchased cinnamon oil at my local drug store. It is available at most pharmacies, Walmart and can also be purchased through Amazon.
I would suggest that you don’t lean your head over the pot and take a big sniff of the mixture like I did after adding the cinnamon oil.  
 It’s very potent, but will leave your kitchen smelling extremely festive!
Enjoy!  
Hard Cinnamon Candy
Ingredients
- 3–¾ cups granulated white sugar
- 1–½ cups light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon oil
- 1 teaspoon red food coloring
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Line a 12 x 17 rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Be sure to have paper not only on the bottom of pan, but up around sides of pan as well, as candy will be approximately ⅛-inch thick. Place baking sheet on a trivet (mixture poured in baking sheet will be extremely hot).
- In a large heavy saucepan over medium high heat, heat sugar, corn syrup and water over medium high heat. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Once mixture has reached a boil, reduce heat to medium. Cook (stirring often) until temperature reaches 300 to 310 degrees F, measuring with a candy thermometer.
- Remove from heat. Add cinnamon oil and food coloring and stir to combine. Pour into prepared baking sheet and allow to cool and harden.
- Break into pieces and lightly dust with powdered sugar (I used a sifter).
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Adapted from the Island Born and Bred Cookbook
Love Love Love this candy recipe. Thank you. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!
★★★★★
Can I make this using homemade cinnamon oil or do I need store bought?
Hi Sam, I’ve only used store bought cinnamon oil in this recipe so I can’t say with 100% certainty. Let us know how it turns out if you try it!
I just made some and I wanted it to taste like the old Jolly Rancher Fire Stick but I should have added more oil. This batch will be for the kids i guess
What brand of cinnamon oil do you use?
★★★★★
Hi Ed, the bottle that I have now (that I used in this recipe) says “Humco”. I purchase it at my local pharmacy.
It looks so great! I can’t cook, so where can I buy some?
Hi Eric, thanks so much! I’ve never seen candy like this sold in stores (except for the disks or cinnamon balls), so I don’t know… sorry I couldn’t be of more help!
Hercules Candy Co hand-makes hard ‘cushion’ type candies and they do cinnamon flavor. They mail throughout the US. Their youtubes are a kick!
★★★★★
Hi there! Are there any differences when making this at high altitude? I’m at 5100 ft and I’ve had to adjust most recipies
Hi Kimberly, I can’t say with 100% certainty because I’m at a fairly low altitude and can’t give exact instructions for high altitudes. Here is an article I found about making candy at high altitudes; I hope you find it helpful!
How do I keep the cinnamon flavor in my candy the powdered sugar seems to absorb all the heat and flavor? is it possible to over cook it?
Hi Cheryll, you could add more cinnamon oil. I found 1 teaspoon to produce enough heat and flavor although I understand some people prefer it a lot hotter.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar once completely cooled.
Can you use regular flavors or does it have to be and oil?
Hi Lori, you can use any flavor of oil such as peppermint with green food coloring. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Can I make without candy thermometer
Hi Holly, no I would not attempt to make this without a candy thermometer. It has to be just the right temperature to harden properly. Hope you enjoy if you make it! 🙂
You don’t have to have a thermometer. Get a bowl with cool water in it, after the candy mixture boils for a while drop a few drops into the cool water. If it’s up to temp, the mixture will crack as soon as it hits the water. Your candy is done
Exactly what I was going to say. A tried and true method!
I always use a spoon and drizzle the boiling mixture in cold water when it hardens as soon as it hits the water it’s ready. I never use a candy thermometer.
I have never used a candy thermometer and it is always turned out perfectly fine just get it to the hard crack stage
Switch up the oil flavor and the food coloring and you can make any kind of hard candy. My mom made it every year! My favorite is clove but you can make cherry or grape for kids too.