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
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Scale
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Pin RecipeIngredients
- 3–3/4 cups granulated white sugar
- 1–1/2 cups light corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon oil
- 1 teaspoon red food coloring
- 1/4 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 1/8-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
Janet Turner says
November 9, 2018 at 9:43 amSwitch 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.
Holly says
December 11, 2018 at 1:05 pmCan I make without candy thermometer
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
December 11, 2018 at 1:42 pmHi 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! 🙂
Traci Rose says
January 27, 2019 at 5:04 pmI 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.
Lori Woodall says
December 24, 2018 at 5:32 pmCan you use regular flavors or does it have to be and oil?
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
December 25, 2018 at 10:55 amHi Lori, you can use any flavor of oil such as peppermint with green food coloring. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
cheryll says
December 26, 2018 at 5:02 pmHow 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?
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
December 27, 2018 at 8:44 amHi 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.
Eric Richardson says
May 13, 2019 at 7:56 pmIt looks so great! I can’t cook, so where can I buy some?
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
May 14, 2019 at 7:32 amHi 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!