Fiery Homemade Red Hot Cinnamon Candy Recipe for Sweet Heat

Crafting these classic spicy red hot cinnamon hard candy delights takes you on a nostalgic journey through sweet and fiery flavors.

Candy makers have long cherished this beloved treat for its intense heat and vibrant color.

Each glossy, crimson piece promises a powerful cinnamon punch that awakens taste buds.

The recipe blends simple ingredients with precise technique to create perfect, glossy candies.

Molten sugar transforms into brittle, spicy gems that crack satisfyingly between teeth.

Home cooks can easily recreate this timeless confection with a few essential tools and careful attention.

These red hot candies will spark joy and memories with every scorching bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 111 kcal

Servings: 13

What’s In Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy

• Sugar: Provides the sweet foundation and structure for the hard candy, choose fine granulated sugar for smooth texture.
• Corn Syrup: Prevents sugar crystallization and creates a glossy, clear candy finish, select light corn syrup for best results.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create smooth syrup, use filtered water for pure taste.

• Cinnamon Oil: Delivers intense, spicy heat and signature red hot flavor, choose high-quality food-grade essential oil for potent taste.
• Red Food Coloring: Creates vibrant crimson appearance, select gel-based coloring for deeper and more consistent color.

• Powdered Sugar: Prevents candy pieces from sticking together, use fresh, sifted sugar for smooth coating.

What Tools Help With Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy

• Heavy-bottomed saucepan: Essential for even heat distribution and preventing sugar from burning.
• Candy thermometer: Crucial for precisely monitoring the candy's temperature to reach the hard crack stage.
• Baking sheet: Needed to pour and cool the hot candy mixture.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients safely.
• Mallet or knife: Used to break the cooled candy into bite-sized pieces.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient measurements.

Steps To Make Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy

• Prep Your Candy Workspace

Grab a baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper or lightly butter the surface. Have your candy thermometer nearby and ready to go.

• Fire Up the Sugar Mixture

Toss sugar, corn syrup, and water into a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Swirl ingredients until sugar vanishes, then stop stirring and let the mixture bubble away. Watch your thermometer closely as it climbs to 300F – this magic moment takes about 10-15 minutes.

• Infuse With Fiery Flavor

Pull the molten mixture off the heat and carefully blend in cinnamon oil and red food coloring. Warning: cinnamon oil packs a punch, so handle with care! Quickly pour the blazing liquid onto your prepared baking sheet.

• Transform Into Crunchy Treats

Allow the candy to cool completely for half an hour until it’s rock solid. Crack the sheet into bite-sized pieces using a mallet or sharp knife. For an extra touch, dust with a light coating of powdered sugar to keep pieces from clinging together.

Tips For Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy Success

• Cinnamon Candy Crafting Secrets: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tips
• Temperature Precision: Use a reliable candy thermometer to hit exactly 300F for perfect candy texture. Even a few degrees off can change the entire candy's consistency.
• Safety First: Wear long sleeves and kitchen gloves when handling molten sugar to prevent potential burns from splattering hot syrup.
• Flavor Intensity Adjustment: Modify cinnamon oil quantity to control heat level – start with less for mild warmth, add more for extra spicy kick.
• Storage Savvy: Keep candies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain crispness for up to two weeks.
• Dietary Swap: For sugar-free version, replace sugar with erythritol or stevia-based sweeteners designed for high-heat cooking, maintaining similar hard candy texture.

How To Serve Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy

• Festive Holiday Gift Bags: Package the cinnamon hard candy in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons. Perfect for Christmas, Valentine's Day, or as party favors.
• Spicy Dessert Accent: Crush the candies and sprinkle over vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, or use as a garnish for hot chocolate to add a warm, zesty kick.
• Cocktail Rim Magic: Crush the candies finely and use as a rim sugar for winter cocktails like hot toddies, mulled wine, or cinnamon-themed martinis. Creates a stunning and flavorful presentation that adds extra excitement to drink time.
• Teacher or Hostess Gift: Pack in small mason jars with decorative labels for a homemade, thoughtful present that showcases your candy-making skills and personal touch.

Storage Tips For Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy

• Quick Cool-Down Strategy: Allow the candy to rest at room temperature on a flat surface, ensuring complete hardness before breaking into pieces. Avoid refrigerating, which might cause unwanted moisture.
• Smart Storage Solution: Keep hard candies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers, preventing pieces from sticking together. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to maintain crispness.
• Freshness Tracking Tip: Label the container with the creation date. Consume within 2-3 weeks for optimal flavor and texture. Watch for any signs of stickiness or color changes that indicate potential quality loss.
• Gifting Preparation Hack: Wrap individual candies in wax paper or small cellophane squares for perfect party favors or homemade gifts. Twist ends tightly to seal and maintain the candy's original crunchiness.

Spicy Red Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade red hot cinnamon hard candy delivers classic spicy sweetness with simple ingredients. Crisp candy pieces offer nostalgic flavor that delights with each fiery, crunchy bite you will savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups / 480 ml granulated sugar
• ⅔ cup / 160 ml light corn syrup
• ¾ cup / 180 ml water
• 1 tsp cinnamon oil (or more for extra heat)
• ½ tsp red food coloring (gel or liquid)
• ½ cup / 120 ml powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)

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Instructions

1. Workspace Preparation: Create a pristine work surface by laying parchment paper on a baking sheet or lightly greasing with butter to ensure effortless candy removal.
2. Sugar Syrup Formation: Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, positioning over medium heat and gently stirring until sugar dissolves completely.
3. Candy Transformation: Discontinue stirring and allow the liquid to reach a vigorous boil, carefully tracking the temperature with a candy thermometer until it precisely hits 300F (hard crack stage), which typically requires 10-15 minutes of consistent heating.
4. Flavor Infusion: Remove saucepan from heat and cautiously blend cinnamon oil and red food coloring, being mindful of the intense cinnamon aroma and potential sensory impact.
5. Candy Casting: Promptly pour the molten mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading evenly to create a smooth, glossy surface.
6. Cooling and Crystallization: Let the candy rest undisturbed for 30 minutes, allowing it to cool and solidify into a brittle, glass-like texture.
7. Fragmentation and Finishing: Shatter the hardened candy into irregular pieces using a mallet or sharp knife, optionally dusting with powdered sugar to prevent sticking and enhance visual appeal.

Notes

• Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Avoid stirring once sugar dissolves to stop unwanted crystal formation that can make candy grainy.
• Control Temperature Precisely: Use a calibrated candy thermometer and watch carefully, as even a few degrees can drastically change candy texture and consistency.
• Handle Cinnamon Oil Safely: Wear protective eyewear and work in a well-ventilated area to minimize irritation from potent cinnamon essence.
• Break Carefully for Perfect Pieces: Use a clean, sharp knife or mallet with controlled pressure to create uniform candy fragments without shattering completely.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 111
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg