Red Hot Cinnamon Hard: Fiery Candy Bliss

Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy has always held a special place in my heart, reminding me of childhood trips to the candy store and those first few fiery bites. There’s something incredibly satisfying about the intense cinnamon kick followed by a sweet, lingering warmth. I remember my grandmother making batches of this spicy cinnamon hard candy during the holidays, filling her kitchen with the most amazing aroma. Now, I’m excited to share this easy Red Hot Cinnamon Candy recipe with you so you can create your own dazzling, fiery gems right at home. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy

Get ready to fall in love with this classic candy! It’s an absolute winner for so many reasons:

• Explosive Flavor: You’ll adore the intense, fiery cinnamon taste that makes this Spicy Cinnamon Hard Candy so unforgettable.
• Quick Prep: With just 10 minutes of prep, you can whip up a batch of these delightful treats.
• Budget-Friendly: Made with simple pantry staples, this recipe is incredibly economical.
• Family Fun: Making candy is a fantastic activity to do with kids, creating sweet memories.
• Gifting Gold: These dazzling red gems make beautiful, homemade gifts for any occasion.
• Satisfyingly Spicy: For those who love a kick, this Spicy Cinnamon Hard Candy delivers the perfect amount of heat.
• Pure Nostalgia: It’s a taste of the past, bringing back those cherished Old Fashioned Red Hots Candy memories.

Ingredients for Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy

Gathering the right Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy ingredients is the first step to creating these fiery gems. This recipe keeps it simple with pantry staples:

• 4 cups granulated sugar – the base for our sweet candy, it provides the structure.
• 1 cup light corn syrup – essential for preventing crystallization, ensuring a smooth, clear candy.
• 1 cup purified water – using purified or distilled water helps achieve that beautiful, clear finish.
• 1 tsp cinnamon oil or cinnamon extract – this is where the magic happens! Cinnamon oil is more potent, so add it carefully to achieve your desired level of heat.
• Red gel food coloring (optional) – for that classic vibrant red hue. Gel coloring is best as it won’t thin the syrup.
• Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional) – a light dusting helps prevent the finished candies from sticking together.

How to Make Red Hot Cinnamon Candy

Let’s dive into making these fiery little gems! Creating your own Homemade Red Hot Cinnamon Drops is surprisingly straightforward, but it does require your full attention, especially when dealing with hot sugar.

1. Step 1: First things first, grab your candy thermometer. You’ll need it! While we aren’t preheating an oven for this candy, it’s good practice to have your workspace ready. Prepare a large baking sheet by lightly greasing it with a neutral oil or lining it with parchment paper. Also, have your silicone candy molds ready if you’re using those.
2. Step 2: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the 4 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup, and 1 cup purified water. Stir gently over medium heat just until the sugar is completely dissolved. You don’t want any grainy bits!
3. Step 3: Once the sugar is dissolved, increase the heat to high. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Resist the urge to stir! Stirring can cause the sugar to crystallize, which we definitely don’t want for our smooth Homemade Red Hot Cinnamon Drops.
4. Step 4: Carefully attach your candy thermometer to the side of the pan, making sure the bulb is submerged in the syrup but not touching the bottom. Let the syrup boil undisturbed until it reaches 300°F (150°C), which is the hard crack stage. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Watch it closely!
5. Step 5: As soon as the thermometer hits 300°F, immediately remove the saucepan from the heat. Now for the exciting part! Very carefully, stir in the 1 tsp cinnamon oil or cinnamon extract and your red gel food coloring. Stand back when you add these, as hot steam will rise. Stir until the color is uniform and vibrant.
6. Step 6: Working quickly before the candy hardens, pour the molten mixture. You can either pour thin streams onto the prepared baking sheet to create freeform drops, or carefully fill your silicone candy molds. The aroma at this stage is incredible!

7. Step 7: Let the poured candy cool completely at room temperature. This will take about 30-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s hard and no longer sticky to the touch. Patience is key here for perfect Homemade Red Hot Cinnamon Drops.
8. Step 8: Once fully hardened, carefully break the poured candy into smaller pieces if you poured it freeform, or simply pop them out of the silicone molds.
9. Step 9: For an optional finish that prevents sticking, lightly dust the finished candies with powdered sugar. Your delicious Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy is ready to enjoy!

Pro Tips for the Best Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy

Making perfect candy takes a little know-how. These tips will help you achieve that ideal texture and flavor every time:

• Always use a reliable candy thermometer; accuracy is crucial for the hard crack stage.
• Ensure your equipment is completely clean and dry before starting, as any moisture can cause crystallization.
• Work quickly once the hot syrup is off the heat, as it hardens fast. Have your molds or greased sheet ready.
• Humidity is the enemy of hard candy! Try to make your Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy on a dry day for the best results.

What’s the secret to perfect Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy?

The key is reaching the precise hard crack stage (300°F/150°C) and avoiding stirring once the syrup boils. This ensures a smooth, clear texture for your Classic Cinnamon Hard Candy, preventing crystallization.

Can I make Red Hot Cinnamon Candy ahead of time?

Yes, you absolutely can! This candy stores beautifully. Once completely cooled and hardened, you can prepare it for storage. Just ensure it’s fully dry before packaging to prevent sticking.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Red Hot Cinnamon Candy?

The biggest pitfalls are crystallization and burning. Don’t stir the boiling syrup, and watch the temperature closely. If it starts to look even slightly browned, remove it from the heat immediately.

Best Ways to Serve Red Hot Cinnamon Candy

These fiery gems are so versatile! They’re perfect for a quick sweet fix on their own, offering that satisfying spicy cinnamon punch. You can also use them as a beautiful garnish for desserts. Imagine the pop of color and flavor they add to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of rich chocolate cake! For a delightful pairing that really leans into nostalgia, serve them alongside other Old Fashioned Red Hots Candy favorites or even as a little treat with a warm cup of coffee. They’re also fantastic for filling candy dishes during gatherings, always a conversation starter!

Nutrition Facts for Red Hot Cinnamon Candy

Here are the estimated nutritional values for each piece of this classic candy. Keep in mind that these are approximate values, as slight variations can occur based on exact measurements and ingredient brands.

• Serving Size: 1 Piece
• Calories: 50
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 0mg
• Protein: 0g

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

How to Store and Reheat Red Hot Cinnamon Candy

Properly storing your homemade Red Hot Cinnamon Candy is key to keeping those fiery sweets fresh and delicious. Once your candies have completely cooled and hardened, it’s time to think about their Red Hot Cinnamon Candy storage. For short-term keeping, wrap individual pieces tightly in wax paper or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Then, place them in an airtight container. These stored candies should stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep your spicy cinnamon treats for longer, the freezer is your best friend! Wrap them well as described, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they can last for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you can either let them thaw slowly in the refrigerator or, if you’re impatient like me, you can gently reheat them. To reheat, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop them into a low oven (around 200°F or 95°C) for just a few minutes until they soften slightly. Let them cool again before handling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Hot Cinnamon Candy

What are Red Hot Cinnamon Candies?

What are Red Hot Cinnamon Candies? They’re classic, fiery hard candies bursting with intense cinnamon flavor. These small, vibrant red sweets are known for their spicy kick that slowly melts in your mouth, leaving a sweet, warm finish. They’re a nostalgic treat for many, bringing back memories of childhood candy shops and traditional holiday sweets.

Can I substitute the cinnamon oil with cinnamon extract?

Yes, you can! However, cinnamon oil is significantly more potent than extract. If you use extract, you might want to start with 1.5 to 2 teaspoons and taste carefully before adding more. The goal is to achieve that signature spicy cinnamon flavor without making it overwhelmingly strong. This recipe is designed for potency, so adjust to your preference!

My candy turned cloudy, what went wrong?

Cloudiness in hard candy usually happens due to crystallization. This can be caused by stirring the sugar syrup after it starts boiling, impurities in your ingredients (which is why purified water is recommended), or even vibrations near the pot. Ensuring you don’t stir the boiling mixture is the most critical step to achieving a clear and beautiful Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy.

How do I make chewy Red Hot Cinnamon Candy instead of hard candy?

To achieve a chewy texture, you’ll need to cook the sugar syrup to a lower temperature, typically the soft ball stage (around 240-250°F or 115-120°C) instead of the hard crack stage. You’ll also likely need to add ingredients like butter or cream to the mixture. This recipe is specifically for the hard, brittle type, but a chewy cinnamon candy recipe would require different techniques and ingredients.

Variations of Red Hot Cinnamon Candy You Can Try

While this classic recipe for Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy is fantastic, don’t be afraid to explore some fun variations! You can adapt the flavor, cooking method, or even dietary needs to suit your preferences. For instance, if you’re looking for a slightly different kick, you could try a Spicy Cinnamon Drops recipe that incorporates a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper along with the cinnamon for an extra layer of heat. Another idea is to experiment with different molds; instead of freeform drops, use small, decorative molds for intricate shapes. If you’re aiming for a vegan version, ensure your corn syrup is vegan-friendly and consider adding a touch of vegan butter for richness. You can also play with the intensity of the cinnamon by using a blend of cinnamon oil and extract, or even adding a whisper of other warm spices like nutmeg or clove for a more complex flavor profile.

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