Cherry Candy

Indulge your sweet tooth with this vibrant and easy-to-make Cherry Candy recipe, a nostalgic treat perfect for gifting or enjoying as a bite-sized snack. Featuring just a handful of pantry staples—like granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water—this recipe brings the rich flavor of cherry extract to life, enhanced by a splash of red food coloring for that signature candy look. With step-by-step instructions to achieve the perfect "hard crack" stage, you'll craft beautifully glossy, melt-in-your-mouth pieces of hard candy in under 40 minutes. For an optional touch, dust the candy in powdered sugar for a classic, old-fashioned finish. Whether you're creating festive treats or satisfying a sweet craving, these dazzling red cherry candies are sure to impress both kids and adults alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 49/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 20

Ingredients

• 2 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Light corn syrup
• 0.5 cups Water
• 1 teaspoon Cherry extract
• 3 drops Red food coloring
• 0.25 cups Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with a neutral cooking spray. Set it aside for later use.

Step 2

In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup, and water. Stir gently to mix the ingredients together before placing the pan on the heat.

Step 3

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely. Once it starts boiling, stop stirring to prevent crystallization.

Step 4

Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Continue cooking the syrup until it reaches the 'hard crack' stage, or about 300°F (150°C). This will take approximately 15-20 minutes. Be careful not to overcook.

Step 5

Remove the pan from the heat and quickly stir in the cherry extract and red food coloring. Mix until the color is evenly blended.

Step 6

Carefully pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly or pour into candy molds if desired.

Step 7

Allow the candy to cool completely and harden, about 10-15 minutes. Once cooled, break the candy into bite-sized pieces by hand or use a sharp knife.

Step 8

Optional: Toss the candy pieces in powdered sugar to prevent sticking, or leave them as is for a glossy finish.

Step 9

Store the cherry candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(795.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2344.7

Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 37.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 612.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Total Sugars 611.4g
Protein 0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 7.2mg	0%
Iron 0mg	0%
Potassium 8.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 0.0%

Protein: 0.0%

Carbs: 100.0%