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    Home » Recipes

    By Amy · Published: Nov 8, 2018 · Updated: Nov 8, 2018 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy 22 Comments

    Hard Cinnamon Candy

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    Always a welcomed treat, this Hard Cinnamon Candy is a MUST-MAKE for your Christmas goodies menu!

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    Overhead view of pieces of cinnamon candy sprinkled with powdered sugar in a white bowl.

    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!

    A closeup view of pieces of cinnamon candy sprinkled with powdered sugar in a white bowl.

    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.  A laughing face emoji with tears of joy.  It’s very potent, but will leave your kitchen smelling extremely festive!

    Front view of a white bowl of red cinnamon candy pieces sprinkled with powdered sugar.Enjoy!  A love face emoji - A smiling yellow face with heart eyes.

    Print
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    Overhead view of pieces of cinnamon candy sprinkled with powdered sugar in a white bowl.

    Hard Cinnamon Candy


    ★★★★★

    5 from 3 reviews

    • Author: Amy @ The Blond Cook
    Print Recipe
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    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

    1. 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).
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Remove from heat.  Add cinnamon oil and food coloring and stir to combine.  Pour into prepared baking sheet and allow to cool and harden.
    5. Break into pieces and lightly dust with powdered sugar (I used a sifter).
    6. Store in an airtight container.

    Notes

    Adapted from the Island Born and Bred Cookbook

    A white bowl filled with hard cinnamon candy with overlay text at top of image.

     

    « French Onion Soup
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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆
      Recipe Rating




    1. Vickie G. says

      December 01, 2021 at 2:33 pm

      Love Love Love this candy recipe. Thank you. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Sam says

      December 16, 2020 at 11:48 am

      Can I make this using homemade cinnamon oil or do I need store bought?

      Reply
      • Amy says

        December 17, 2020 at 8:50 am

        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!

        Reply
    3. Kathy Tucker says

      December 10, 2019 at 4:18 pm

      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

      Reply
    4. Ed Taylor says

      June 26, 2019 at 3:16 pm

      What brand of cinnamon oil do you use?

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        June 27, 2019 at 2:06 pm

        Hi Ed, the bottle that I have now (that I used in this recipe) says “Humco”. I purchase it at my local pharmacy.

        Reply
    5. Eric Richardson says

      May 13, 2019 at 7:56 pm

      It looks so great! I can’t cook, so where can I buy some?

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        May 14, 2019 at 7:32 am

        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!

        Reply
        • soom says

          January 02, 2022 at 7:59 pm

          Hercules Candy Co hand-makes hard ‘cushion’ type candies and they do cinnamon flavor. They mail throughout the US. Their youtubes are a kick!

          ★★★★★

          Reply
      • Kimberly says

        December 18, 2020 at 4:05 pm

        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

        Reply
        • Amy says

          December 18, 2020 at 4:40 pm

          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!

          Reply
    6. cheryll says

      December 26, 2018 at 5:02 pm

      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?

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        December 27, 2018 at 8:44 am

        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.

        Reply
      • Karen says

        March 03, 2021 at 12:42 pm

        Sprinkle with powdered sugar once completely cooled.

        Reply
    7. Lori Woodall says

      December 24, 2018 at 5:32 pm

      Can you use regular flavors or does it have to be and oil?

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        December 25, 2018 at 10:55 am

        Hi Lori, you can use any flavor of oil such as peppermint with green food coloring. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Holly says

      December 11, 2018 at 1:05 pm

      Can I make without candy thermometer

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        December 11, 2018 at 1:42 pm

        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! 🙂

        Reply
        • Jeff W says

          February 07, 2020 at 9:18 pm

          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

          Reply
      • Traci Rose says

        January 27, 2019 at 5:04 pm

        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.

        Reply
      • Lisa says

        March 29, 2022 at 11:22 pm

        I have never used a candy thermometer and it is always turned out perfectly fine just get it to the hard crack stage

        Reply
    9. Janet Turner says

      November 09, 2018 at 9:43 am

      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.

      Reply

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