Fire-Kissed Cinnamon Glass Candy is a bold, g lossy hard candy with a deep red glow and a warm cinnamon bite. This old-fashioned style candy is cooked to the hard crack stage, poured thin, and snapped into shards that look like stained glass. If you love dramatic holiday sweets or edible gifts with attitude, this cinnamon glass candy belongs on your list.
Why You’ll Love It
- Visually stunning: Shiny, translucent shards with fiery color.
- Simple ingredients: Pantry staples, no specialty tools.
- Long shelf life: Perfect for gifting and make-ahead treats.
- Bold flavor: Spicy cinnamon that warms without overwhelming.
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp cinnamon oil (food-grade)
- 1 tsp red food coloring (gel preferred)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Cinnamon oil is very concentrated. Measure carefully and keep it away from skin and eyes. If you enjoy spiced sweets, you may also like classic almond nougat for a softer texture contrast.
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Lightly dust with powdered sugar and set aside.
- In a heavy-bottom saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir gently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Increase heat and bring to a boil without stirring. Attach a candy thermometer and cook until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage).
- Remove from heat. Carefully stir in cinnamon oil and red food coloring. The mixture will bubble vigorously.
- Immediately pour the candy into a thin layer on the prepared baking sheet. Do not spread with a spatula.
- Let cool completely at room temperature, about 30 minutes. Once hardened, break into irregular shards.
For candy fans who enjoy dramatic crunch, this technique is similar to peanut brittle without corn syrup , but with a smoother, glass-like finish.
Tips & Variations
- Color swirl: Add a drop of black food coloring for a deeper, ruby-red tone.
- Extra heat: Increase cinnamon oil slightly, but never exceed 1 1/4 tsp per batch.
- Clear candy: Skip food coloring for a pale amber glass look.
Substitutions
- Cinnamon oil can be replaced with cinnamon flavoring, but the flavor will be much milder.
- Light corn syrup may be swapped with glucose syrup for similar results.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Fire-Kissed Cinnamon Glass Candy in small paper bags, mason jars, or wrapped in parchment for holiday gift boxes. It also pairs beautifully with hot drinks like spiced tea or cocoa.
Storage & Reheating
Store candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Keep away from humidity. Do not refrigerate, as moisture will cause sticking.
FAQs
Why did my candy turn cloudy?
Cloudiness usually means the sugar crystallized or the candy absorbed moisture while cooling. Avoid stirring once boiling begins.
Is cinnamon oil the same as cinnamon extract?
No. Cinnamon oil is far stronger and designed for high-heat candy making. Extract will lose potency during cooking.
More to Try
Conclusion
Fire-Kissed Cinnamon Glass Candy is a striking, spicy classic that never goes out of style. With its crackling snap, jewel-like shine, and warming cinnamon flavor, it’s a standout homemade candy for holidays, gifts, or anytime you want something bold and beautiful.
Print
Fire-Kissed Cinnamon Glass Candy
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 baking sheet of shards 1x
Description
Fire-Kissed Cinnamon Glass Candy is a bold, glossy hard candy with a deep red glow and a warm cinnamon bite. This old-fashioned style candy is cooked to the hard crack stage, poured thin, and snapped into shards that look like stained glass. If you love dramatic holiday sweets or edible gifts with attitude, this cinnamon glass candy belongs on your list.
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp cinnamon oil (food-grade)
- 1 tsp red food coloring (gel preferred)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Lightly dust with powdered sugar and set aside.
- In a heavy-bottom saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir gently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Increase heat and bring to a boil without stirring. Attach a candy thermometer and cook until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage).
- Remove from heat. Carefully stir in cinnamon oil and red food coloring. The mixture will bubble vigorously.
- Immediately pour the candy into a thin layer on the prepared baking sheet. Do not spread with a spatula.
- Let cool completely at room temperature, about 30 minutes. Once hardened, break into irregular shards.
Notes
Cinnamon oil is very concentrated. Measure carefully and avoid contact with skin or eyes. For a dramatic ruby-red look, add a drop of black food coloring. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Keep away from humidity to avoid stickiness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 oz
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cinnamon glass candy, hard candy, holiday treats, edible gifts