ROCK candy - a scientific kids favorite.

Not sure you have to have a scientific kid to love these - just a kid who loves sugar.  (as in ALL children!)

My daughter's oreo turkey sandwich.....sigh  

Rock candy is very fun and pretty but I have to warn you this project may take a day or two to fully crystallize.  Actually I should have titled this ROCK candy - A Character Builder.  :-)

Nevertheless this the THIRD time my kids have requested to make these so I guess the wait wasn't a detriment.  Doing this during a school break is a great time to do it so the kids can look at the progress throughout the day.

Ingredients:

2 c water

4 c sugar (some people have found better luck using more sugar - up to 6 cups)

1 tsp flavoring extract or oil

Food coloring

Glass jar

Skewers or lollipop sticks

Preparation:

1.) Prepare your materials: wash glass jar with hot water to clean it.  I used a shish ka bob skewer and broke it in half - but you can always order real lollipop sticks online.

2.) Wet your wooden skewer and roll it in granulated sugar. this base layer will give the sugar crystals something to "grab" when they start forming. Attach the skewers with tape to a pencil to lay across the top of the jar.  Set the skewers attached to the pencil aside to let dry while you  prepare your sugar syrup.

3.) Place the water in a medium sized pan and bring to a boil.  Begin adding the sugar,  one cup at a time, stirring after each addition. You will notice that it takes longer for the sugar to dissolve after each addition.  Continue to stir and boil the syrup till all the sugar has been added and it is all dissolved.  (this will take around 10 - 15 min)  Remove pan from the heat.

4.) Add the color drops and flavorings. 

5.) Allow the sugar syrup to cool for approximately 10 min, then pour into the prepared jar.  Lower the sugar skewer until it hangs about 1" from the bottom, not too close to each other or the sides of the jar.  (mine are a little short in the picture)

6.) Carefully place your jar in a cool place, away from harsh lights, where it can sit undisturbed.  Cover the top loosely with plastic wrap  or a paper towel.

7.) You should see sugar crystals start forming within 4 hours.  If nothing happens you may have to try boiling the syrup again and dissolve another cut of sugar into it, then pour it back into the jar with the skewers. (Or grab a pack of 8" Lollipop sticks from Amazon)

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This time around the crystals formed super fast and were quite small.  (I like the big rock like crystals) Touchy little buggers.

Makes TWO candy sticks per jar.

If your Rock Candy experiment takes a turn for the worse I suggest you put the kids to bed and make these instead:

Rock Candy Jello Shooters with Midori Melon Sour

Photo credit bakersroyal.com

Just having some fun :-)  from Creative Juices Decor!!!

PS If you would like to see my other activities for kids to do during school breaks just click the highlighted section :-)