How to Make Delicious and Decorative Candy Canes

Candy Canes were created in the 17th century. They were made to look like Shepherds' Crooks. The candy was given to children at Nativity Scene ceremonies, to keep them quiet. This tradition spread throughout Europe. Today Candy Canes are mass produced, red and white treats specific to Christmas. They are consumed by millions of people, young and old, worldwide. The white of a candy cane is meant to represent Christ's purity and the red is meant to represent the blood he shed. The presence of three red stripes on a candy cane is meant to represent the holy trinity. This is in fact one of the truly Christian symbols of Christmas.

Candy canes are now a delicious treat widely available in stores. It's enjoyed by adults and children of all ages. It's also commonly used as decoration during the holidays. Some people incorporate them in wreathes while others hang them on their Christmas trees. Very few people know how to make homemade candy canes. But that's exactly what this hub is going to teach you. Here's how to make some delicious and decorative candy canes!

Candy canes are not quite simple to make. If you're a first timer it'll take a lot of practice and you'll get some unique creations in the process. They take about an hour and fifteen minutes to make. You can play around with different flavors and colors to make the treat truly your own. Here's what you'll need:

• 3 Cups of granulated sugar
• 1 Cup of corn syrup, light
• 1/4 Cup of water
• 1/2 Tsp of peppermint extract
• Red food coloring
• Plastic gloves

Got all of that? Now you're ready to make some candy canes!

1. First things first: spray two cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray or cover them with a little bit of oil.
2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. In a large saucepan, mix the sugar, corn syrup and water.
4. Over a medium heat, bring it to a boil.
5. Stir repeatedly until the sugar dissolves.
6. Place a candy thermometer in the saucepan and continue cooking until the candy reaches 285.
7. Remove from heat as soon as the candy reaches the right temperature.
8. Stir in the mint extract (or whatever flavoring you choose).
9. Pour half of that mixture on a cookie sheet.
10. Put it in the preheated oven to keep warm.
11. Add the red food coloring to the rest of the candy mixture.
12. Pour the candy on a heat-safe cutting board.
13. Allow it to sit and form a sort of skin.
14. Using a heat-safe spatula that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, begin to spread the candy out and then push it back together.
15. As soon as the candy has cooled enough for you to handle it, start to pull it.
16. Using both hands, stretch the candy into a long rope.
17. Bring the ends together and twist the candy.
18. Pull the rope out into a long strand.
19. Continue this until the candy has a sort of satin finish.
20. When the candy is barely warm, but still pliable, pull it into a 2 inch thick strand and put it on a cookie sheet.
21. Put this cookie sheet into the oven and turn it off.
22. Take out the baking sheet with the other half of the candy..
23. Repeat the pulling process with this batch of candy.
24. When finished the candy should be a pearly white color.
25. Form it into a 2 inch thick log.
26. Take the red candy out of the oven.
27. Cut a 5 inch piece from the white and the red logs.
28. Place them next to each other.
29. Pull the candies together.
30. Twist gradually to form the candy stripes.
31. Once you've got the thickness you want, cut the candy into 8 inch lengths.
32. Now form the hook at the top of the candy cane.
33. Let it set on a baking sheet at room temperature.
34. Wrap in cellophane once they're set.

Enjoy your candy canes! Merry Christmas!

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