Homemade Candy Canes

Total Time
Prep: 25 min. Cook: 25 min.

Updated on Jun. 30, 2023

Try making these candy canes during the holidays. They will look extra special hanging on your Christmas tree. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Candy Thermometers

We recommend that you test your candy thermometer before each use by bringing water to a boil; the thermometer should read 212°. Adjust your recipe temperature up or down based on your test.

Homemade Candy Canes

Prep Time 25 min
Cook Time 25 min
Yield 16 canes

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint or spearmint extract
  • 6 drops red or green food coloring

Directions

  1. Grease two baking sheets with butter; set aside. In a large saucepan, bring the sugar, water, corn syrup and cream of tartar to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 280° (soft-crack stage).
  2. Remove from the heat; stir in extract and food coloring. Immediately pour onto prepared pans in eight 8-in. strips. Let stand just until cool enough to handle, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Working quickly, roll each strip into a 10-in. log. Cut each into two 5-in. lengths. Curve the top of each to form the handle of a cane. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

1 candy cane : 110 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 14mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.

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