Making Christmas candy canes at home is a fun and easy way to get in the holiday spirit! Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
– 2 lbs. white candy coating
– 4 tablespoons of corn syrup
– 1 drop each of red and green food coloring
– 2 candy molds in the shape of candy canes
– 12” round food-safe rolling pin
– Rolling mat with a non-stick surface
– Unflavored vegetable oil
– Wax paper
First, melt the white candy coating in a double boiler and mix in the corn syrup. Then divide the mixture into two bowls and add 1 drop each of red and green food coloring to each bowl and stir until the colors are mixed in.
Next, generously brush a thin coating of unflavored vegetable oil onto the candy molds and set aside. Take a portion of the candy mixture and roll it out to the width of the candy molds on the rolling mat, using the rolling pin.
Cut strips from the flat sheet of candy and place the strips into the candy molds. Gently press the candy down and make sure all of the air bubbles are gone. Place the molds into the refrigerator to cool and harden for at least 10 minutes.
Once cooled and hardened, remove the candy canes from the molds, and gently bend them into the classic candy cane shape. Wrap the finished candy canes in wax paper and you’re done! Enjoy your homemade Christmas candy canes!.
How a candy cane is made step by step?
Creating candy canes requires significant attention to detail and careful craftsmanship. The process is as follows:
1. Start by melting white sugar in a large metal pot. Add a small amount of corn syrup to the melted sugar and stir to combine.
2. Boil the mixture until it reaches the “hard crack” stage on a candy thermometer (300 degrees). At this point, add flavoring extract and food coloring. Stir gently to combine.
3. Pour the mixture onto a greased marble slab and allow it to cool.
4. Knead the candy with a pastry roller until the texture is smooth and pliable. Form the candy into long ropes with your hands and twist them together. Make sure the ropes are even in size.
5. Shape the twisted ropes of candy into the classic candy cane shape.
6. Hang the candy canes from a baking sheet and place them in a cool area to allow them to dry and harden.
7. Once completely hardened, dip each candy cane in melted chocolate or colored icing for a decorative finish.
8. Allow the candy canes to dry completely.
And that’s how a candy cane is made!
What materials do you need to make a candy cane?
In order to make a candy cane, you will need the following materials:
-White candy coating, such as candy melts, almond bark, or vanilla coating
-Red food coloring
-A double-boiler (or a bowl set over a pot of simmering water)
-Candy thermometer
-Piping bag
-Baking sheet
-Candy cane mold (or a greased and parchment-lined 8×8-inch pan)
-Heavy-duty spoon
-Candy flavorings (optional)
-Sanding sugar, peppermints, and/or other small, edible decorations for topping (optional)
To begin making your candy canes, start by melting your candy coating in your double-boiler over medium heat. Once it’s melted, take the temperature with your candy thermometer and make sure it reaches 105-110°F (41-43°C).
Once the temperature is reached, turn off the heat and grab your piping bag and add a small amount of red food coloring to the melted candy coating. You can also add a few drops of candy flavoring if you desire.
Next, fit your piping bag with a tip, cut the end off (or leave it open), and fill the bag with the red-tinted coating. Go ahead and pipe the coating into the molds, using your spoon to spread it flat and thin.
Or, if you don’t have a mold, mark two sets of lines spaced 1 inch apart and ½ inch wide in your parchment-lined baking pan, going from one end to the other. Once both the molds and the pan are ready, place them in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to allow the coating to harden.
Once the candy coating is hard, use the spoon to connect the ends of the stripes, forming a round shape. Then, lift the candy canes off the lining and twist them twice, and you’ll have your candy cane.
If desired, you can decorate them by dipping them in melted candy coating and adding crushed peppermints, sanding sugar, etc.
Finally, store the candy canes in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. And with that, you will have your own homemade candy canes!
What are candy sticks made of?
Candy sticks are small cylindrical-shaped treats made of sugar, food coloring, and flavoring that are available in a variety of flavors. The traditional candy stick is a hard candy made by combining sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, and water.
Colors and flavors can be added to the mixture to make a variety of unique treats. Gelatin and various proteins can also be added to the mixture to make a softer, chewy candy. The candy size can also vary in thickness, length, and color variations.
Once formed and cooled, candy sticks are wrapped with clear paper to preserve their flavor and freshness or may be wrapped in food-safe paper that comes with a variety of festive or decorative designs.
What are the ingredients in peppermint candy?
Peppermint candy typically consists of sugar, corn syrup, peppermint oil and food coloring. Sugar is usually the main ingredient and contributes to the sweetness of the candy. Corn syrup is a liquid sweetener derived from corn starch, and it works to mix the ingredients together and make them easier to work with.
Peppermint oil gives the candy its minty flavor, while food coloring is used to give peppermint candy its distinct light green or pink color. Sometimes, other ingredients are added for texture, such as vegetable oil, cocoa powder, cocoa butter or confectioner’s sugar.
How do you get candy canes to stick together?
Getting candy canes to stick together is a surprisingly easy process! All you need is melted chocolate, wax paper, and a double boiler. First, melt the chocolate in the double boiler over medium heat, stirring constantly until it’s completely melted and smooth.
Lay a piece of wax paper down on a flat surface. Add scoops of melted chocolate onto the wax paper, forming them into a “spider web” shape. Attach the candy canes to the chocolate, making sure the hook end of the candy canes don’t touch each other.
Place the chocolate and candy canes in the refrigerator for about five minutes, or until the chocolate is hardened. Finally, carefully peel away the wax paper and get ready to enjoy your candy cane creation!.
Why do candy canes have a hook?
The traditional shape of the candy cane is an iconic image woven deeply into the tapestry of many celebrated holiday traditions. While the sugary treat is a fan favorite for children everywhere, candy canes can be traced back to Germany, where they were created centuries ago.
The idea behind the shape of the candy cane is to represent a shepherd’s cane. The white of the candy resembles the lamb’s wool, while the crook in the candy cane symbolizes the staff of the shepherd.
This story has been widely accepted and repeated throughout the years, pointing to the symbolism of the Good Shepherd as part of the Christmas season.
In addition, the shape of the candy cane is thought to be adapted to be hung conveniently around tree branches or when hung on the Christmas tree. However, the shape of the candy cane allows it to be hung easily and not fall off, thus making them a great item to use during the holiday season.
It is said that the first hooks on the candy canes were likely added in the 1670s. Legend has it that a local choirmaster in Cologne, Germany wanted to keep the children in his church quiet during the long worship service.
He decided to distribute what he called “the sweet shepherd’s staff”– a white, sugary treat in the shape of a hooked shepherd’s cane.
Since then, candy canes with their signature hooked shape have become a regular part of holiday tradition, giving children something yummy to snack on and parents a way to create fun decorations. The story, symbolism, as well as convenience of the hooked shape of the candy cane has made it a beloved treat for holiday celebrants for centuries.
How do you bend candy canes for pool noodles?
Bending candy canes for pool noodles is a fun and creative way to make whimsical decorations for your home or to give as gifts. To get started, you’ll need some supplies such as a selection of candy canes, swimming noodles, tape, and scissors.
Begin by taping the candy canes to the swimming noodles. This helps keep the candy canes in place as you bend them. Once the candy canes have been securely placed on the noodles, use a pair of scissors to cut along the edges of the candy canes.
This will loosen the cane, making it easier to bend.
Once the candy canes have been cut, it’s time to start bending. Start by gently bending and curving the cane until it fits snugly on the noodles. You can experiment with different shapes to meet your desired look.
When you’re finished, use a bit of tape to secure the cane to the noodles.
Once the candy canes have been bent and secured, they can be used as whimsical decorations. The candy cane covered pool noodles can be hung in windows, used as centerpieces, or simply looped around a mantle or staircase.
Whatever you choose to do, your candy cane covered pool noodle decorations will be sure to add a bit of holiday cheer to any space.
What glue works on pool noodles?
The best type of glue to use on pool noodles is a strong adhesive like Gorilla Glue or Krazy Glue. These types of glue will form a secure bond between two surfaces and will help to prevent future water damage due to the porous nature of the pool noodles.
While adhesive glue is generally the best choice for this type of application, it is important to test the glue on an inconspicuous area of the pool noodle before applying it to the entire surface. It is also important to ensure that the surface is clean and dry prior to application as an adhesive will not bond appropriately to a wet or dirty surface.
When using an adhesive to glue pool noodles together, it is important to ensure that both surfaces are pressed together tightly in order to form a secure bond.
How do you make reindeer with pipe cleaners?
Making a reindeer with pipe cleaners is a fun and easy craft project that can be done quickly with minimal supplies. To get started, you will need 3 or 4 pipe cleaners – two brown (tail and antlers) and one or two red (nose).
If you want two reindeers, double the amount of supplies.
First, take one brown pipe cleaner and bend it to make the legs. Shape the pipe cleaner in the form of a “V” with the legs of the “V” being about 2 inches and the top of the “V” being about 1/2 inch.
Second, take the red pipe cleaner and shape it into a ball. This will be the reindeer’s nose.
Third, take the second brown pipe cleaner and attach it to the head of the reindeer by bending the ends of the pipe cleaner around the legs of the “V” you made in Step 1. This will be the reindeer’s antlers.
Last, attach the red nose to the center of the antlers. Make sure to leave enough room between the nose and the antlers to make the cute little reindeer face. When you are finished, your reindeer is ready to be hung on the wall or on the Christmas tree!.