By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 11, 2025
Learning how to make rock candy at home was a total game-changer for me. It’s such a fun and memorable treat to share with my friends and family on special occasions. I chose to make raspberry-flavored blue rock candy, but you can make any color or flavor you like with this quick and easy rock candy recipe!
Pin this recipe for later!
5-Star Review
“Just made this! And it is awesome and so easy! I will actually use this rock candy as the gems in my geode cake later this week! I used lemon extract in mine and it is delicious! Thank you!!” -Lauren
With just sugar, corn syrup, water, and a pinch of flavor and color, I whip up dazzling rock candy sheets in about 20 minutes that transform into crunchy, jewel-like shards. Whether it’s for a special party pop or a fun weekend activity with the kids, this recipe delivers that “wow” moment—no long sugar crystallization needed.
Tips for Beginners
- You can choose any color and flavor combination you like! Try green candy for St. Patty’s Day (with lime or sour flavor), orange and black for Halloween, or red with strawberry flavor for Valentine’s Day. The possibilities are endless!
- Temperature is super important! You’ll need to bring your sugar to the hard crack stage, which is 300°F—otherwise, it won’t harden.
- If your candy doesn’t harden, even after sitting for a long time (it should only take 45 minutes, not much longer), it might be that your liquid never got hot enough. The temperature must reach 300°F while cooking the syrup. And the best way to make sure it gets hot enough is to use a candy thermometer to check. This is not the time for guessing!
- To turn the sheet of candy into small pieces, it’s easiest to use a metal mallet (like a meat tenderizer). Just hit the sheet with it until it breaks into pieces. If you want to make it look more like rock candy, place the pieces into a bag and use a rolling pin to crush them up even smaller.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ cup water 114 grams
- ▢ ¾ cup light corn syrup 234 grams
- ▢ 2 cups granulated sugar 400 grams
- ▢ 2 teaspoons flavoring extract 8 grams, I chose raspberry, but there are lots of flavors to choose from
- ▢ food coloring optional, I used blue, but use any color
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. ½ cup water, ¾ cup light corn syrup, 2 cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons flavoring extract, food coloring
- Stir until boiling. Once the liquid begins to boil, do not stir until finished.
- While the candy comes to a boil, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Once boiling, place a candy thermometer in the liquid and monitor closely. when the liquid reaches 300°F, take off the heat and set aside.
- Allow the mixture to cool until the bubbles quit breaking at the surface of the liquid.
- Pour liquid onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Allow to cool until fully hardened. Then, break apart to the size desired.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- candy thermometer
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Rock Candy Step by Step
Combine all the ingredients : Mix all the ingredients, including ½ cup water, ¾ cup light corn syrup, 2 cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons flavoring extract, and food coloring in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Boil: Stir until boiling. Once the liquid begins to boil, do not stir until finished.
Prepare a baking sheet : While the candy comes to a boil, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Use a candy thermometer: Once boiling, place a candy thermometer in the liquid and monitor closely. When the liquid reaches 300°F, take it off the heat and set it aside.
Cool the mixture: Allow the mixture to cool until the bubbles quit breaking at the surface of the liquid.
Transfer to baking sheet: Pour liquid onto the prepared baking sheet.
Fully cool, break and enjoy: Allow to cool until fully hardened. Then, break apart into the desired size.
How to Store
Store leftover rock candy in a Ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 1 month. Keep it in a cool, dry place. I had a reader comment that a great way to keep the pieces from sticking together is shaking them in powdered sugar before sealing them in an airtight container. Genius!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this tasty candy with a fun and colorful drink or cocktail like a purple lavender lemonade , a bright red cherry limeade , or a multi color cotton candy martini !
How to Make Rock Candy
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- candy thermometer
Ingredients
- ½ cup water 114 grams
- ¾ cup light corn syrup 234 grams
- 2 cups granulated sugar 400 grams
- 2 teaspoons flavoring extract 8 grams, I chose raspberry, but there are lots of flavors to choose from
- food coloring optional, I used blue, but use any color
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. ½ cup water, ¾ cup light corn syrup, 2 cups granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons flavoring extract, food coloring
- Stir until boiling. Once the liquid begins to boil, do not stir until finished.
- While the candy comes to a boil, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Once boiling, place a candy thermometer in the liquid and monitor closely. when the liquid reaches 300°F, take off the heat and set aside.
- Allow the mixture to cool until the bubbles quit breaking at the surface of the liquid.
- Pour liquid onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Allow to cool until fully hardened. Then, break apart to the size desired.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
