Homemade Horehound Candy

Rediscover the charm of old-world remedies with this Homemade Horehound Candy recipe, a delightful nod to traditional herbal confectionery. Crafted with dried horehound leaves, this candy boasts a uniquely bittersweet flavor that soothes the throat and excites the palate. Simmered into a tea and combined with sugar, light corn syrup, and butter, the mixture is cooked to the perfect hard crack stage for a perfectly crisp texture. Whether you choose to dust the candies with powdered sugar for a classic touch or keep them rustic, these treats are a deliciously nostalgic way to enjoy the herbal goodness of horehound. Perfect for gifting or savoring on a cozy evening, this recipe is a must-try for candy enthusiasts and herbal remedy fans alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 50

Ingredients

• 1 cup Dried horehound leaves
• 2 cups Water
• 2 cups Granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup Light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon Butter
• 0.25 cup Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Place the dried horehound leaves and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Step 2

Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes to extract the horehound flavor.

Step 3

Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a measuring cup, discarding the leaves. You should be left with about 1 cup of horehound tea. If necessary, add more water to make a full cup.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, combine the horehound tea, granulated sugar, and light corn syrup.

Step 5

Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Step 6

Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and continue to cook the mixture, without stirring, until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). This will take about 20 minutes.

Step 7

Once the mixture reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the heat and quickly stir in 1 teaspoon of butter. Be careful, as the candy will be very hot.

Step 8

Pour the hot candy mixture onto a greased baking sheet or silicone mat while wearing heat-resistant gloves for safety.

Step 9

Allow the candy to cool for a minute or two until it is cool enough to handle but still pliable. Grease your hands lightly with butter to prevent sticking.

Step 10

Carefully pull and stretch the candy into thin ropes, then cut it into bite-sized pieces using kitchen scissors.

Step 11

If desired, dust the finished candies lightly with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.

Step 12

Let the horehound candies cool completely and harden before storing them in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1285.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2713.6

Total Fat 12.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 11.0mg	0%
Sodium 180.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 680.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 106g	0%
Total Sugars 520.1g
Protein 20.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0.7IU	0%
Calcium 4354.8mg	0%
Iron 80.8mg	0%
Potassium 1.1mg	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: 3.7%

Protein: 2.8%

Carbs: 93.5%