Save to Pinterest A festive dessert platter featuring a colorful assortment of homemade rock candies holiday-themed chocolates and sparkling sugar confections perfect for adding a sweet eye-catching centerpiece to your holiday table.
Ingredients
- Rock Candy: 2 cups granulated sugar ¾ cup water ½ cup light corn syrup ½ tsp flavored extract (peppermint, cherry, or lemon) Food coloring (red, green, or as desired) Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Holiday Chocolates: 200 g high-quality dark chocolate chopped 100 g white chocolate chopped Holiday sprinkles or edible glitter
- Sugar Confections: 1 cup assorted gumdrops ½ cup candied fruit (cherries, orange peel, etc.) ½ cup sparkling sugar or edible glitter
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly dust with powdered sugar.
- Step 2:
- For the rock candy combine granulated sugar water and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3:
- Increase heat and bring to a boil without stirring. Continue cooking until mixture reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer (hard crack stage).
- Step 4:
- Remove from heat immediately. Add flavored extract and a few drops of chosen food coloring. Swirl gently to combine.
- Step 5:
- Carefully pour the hot syrup onto the prepared baking sheet. Let cool for 5–10 minutes then use a buttered knife to score into pieces or break into shards once fully set (about 1 hour). Dust with more powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Step 6:
- For holiday chocolates melt dark and white chocolate separately using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts.
- Step 7:
- Pour melted chocolates into festive silicone molds or spread onto parchment swirling white into dark for a marbled effect. Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles or edible glitter. Let set at room temperature or refrigerate until firm then unmold or break into pieces.
- Step 8:
- Arrange rock candy chocolates gumdrops candied fruit and sparkling sugar on a large platter in a decorative holiday pattern. Serve immediately or store candies in airtight containers.
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Save to Pinterest Common Recipe Questions
- → How do you achieve the hard crack stage for rock candy?
Cook the sugar mixture until it reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer, then remove promptly to prevent burning.
- → What extracts work well for flavor variations?
Peppermint, cherry, lemon, orange, almond, and vanilla extracts add festive flavor notes to your candy.
- → How can I prevent rock candy pieces from sticking?
Dust the surface and candy shards with powdered sugar to keep them separate and easy to handle.
- → What’s the best way to create marbled holiday chocolates?
Melt dark and white chocolates separately, then swirl them together before setting to achieve a marbled effect.
- → Can I store this candy display ahead of time?
Yes, store candies in airtight containers separately to preserve freshness and avoid flavor mixing.