Hard Christmas Candy

Old-fashioned, homemade hard candies for Christmas.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 cup light corn syrup
4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon or spice-flavored oil
Food coloring
Powdered sugar

Cooking Directions:

1. Line bottom and sides of a 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly-roll pan with aluminum foil. Dust with powdered sugar. Set aside.
2. Combine corn syrup and water in a medium-size heavy saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Remove cover and cook over medium heat, without stirring, to 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer. (A teaspoonful of syrup will separate into brittle threads when dropped into cold water.)
3. Remove from heat. Add oil and desired food coloring, mixing well.
4. Pour hot candy in strips over powdered sugar.
5. Cool completely at room temperature.
6. Invert pan, peel off foil and break into pieces.

Makes about 2 pounds candy.