Homemade Rock Candy

For our recent birthday party, we decided to do a science experiment for our party favors.  Rock candy!  It was pretty easy to make, tasted great and was fun to do with 'Lil Lass.  It was a great exercise in patience, as well.  We let ours sit for about two weeks.  It was fun to watch the sugar crystals grow!

We flavored ours with blueberry extract, but the possible flavors and flavor combinations are endless, depending on what flavor extracts and food coloring options you have.  We did all different kids of colors.

The other thing you have to decide is if you want to grow the crystals on a wooden skewer or on string.  We decided to grow them on wooden skewers to make them easier to eat (I purchased the skewers online).  To hold up the wooden skewers, I used clothes pins.  If you decide to grow the crystals on string, you will need pencils or something to wind the string around to hold them up. 

 






Homemade Rock Candy

• 4 cups water
• 8 cups sugar
• 1-2 teaspoons flavoring
• several drops food coloring of choice

The first thing to do is collect your supplies: glass jars or glasses, wooden skewers and clothes pins, or string and pencils.  Make sure the jars or glasses are cleaned.  If using wooden skewers, balance the wooden skewer across the top of the jar to hold it in place.  Make sure there is at least an inch from the end of the skewer to the bottom of the jar.  If using string, cut each string a few inches longer than the jar and tape one end to a pencil.  Place the pencil across the top of the jar, and wind the string until the end of it is hanging at least one inch from the bottom of the jar. 

Next, wet each string or skewer with water, and roll it in plain sugar.  Set these aside to dry while you make the syrup.  (this layer of sugar gives the crystals something to grow on). 

To prepare the syrup, place the water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil  Add the sugar, one cup at a time and stir after each addition.  Make sure to dissolve all of the sugar.  This will take a while.  Keep stirring!  Remove the pan from the heat.  Add desired food colorings and flavorings.  Let cool for 15 minutes, than pour syrup into jars.  Lower the dried sugar skewer or string into jars, again making sure it is at least 1 inch from the bottom of the jars. Cover top loosely with plastic wrap or a towel.

Let jars sit in a cool, dark, quiet place for 1 - 2 weeks, until it has grown to the size you want.  To remove, crack the top of the sugar crust, remove your skewer or string, and let dry.  Wrap in plastic wrap or a little bag and tie with a ribbon. 

Voila!  You have a great, homemade party favor.  Or just a cool science experiment that tastes good too!