My daughter's oreo turkey sandwich.....sigh
These are very fun and pretty but I have to warn you this project isn't instant gratification which can be a bummer for kids. Actually I should have titled this ROCK candy - A Character Builder. :-) This process may take a few days to fully crystallize.
Never the less this the second time my kids have requested to make these so I guess the wait didn't make it or break it for them.
Ingredients:
2 c water
4 c sugar (choke, cough......four cups!)
1 tsp flavoring extract or oil
Food coloring
Glass jarSkewers
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 any thing like that will work.
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 eachother 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.
 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 doesn't turn out I suggest you put the kids to bed and make these instead:  |
Photo credit bakersroyal.com |
Just having some fun :-) from Creative Juices Decor!!!
24 comments:
Did you take that first picture? Would you have to make separate batches to make that many colors? Ugh, you make me want to be a better mom. We have never done an experiment like this. If I suggested it my kids would probably look at me like a body snatcher.
Love the idea of it, but Rowan is perilously close to sugar shock at the moment. He's been stealing candy and hiding in closets to eat it for DAYS. I swear he can smell it. Can we make salt sticks instead so we get to enjoy the science aspect? ;)
This looks so fun! Oh my goodness, I can't wait to do it with my kids! jules
Thanks for linking up with Sassy Sites-Free For ALL Friday! I just posted my new party for the month of January... Operation Organization. Come by and check it out! Happy New Year! xoxo
How fun! I love sweet little gift topper projects like this. Keeping this in mind for next Christmas.
Quick question though...how many sticks does your posted recipe make? Just two or three or should I add lots of sticks?
Reply: It only makes 2 per jar. If you had a tub that was long and narrow maybe you could fit more sitcks in but what can happen is the crystals might start to attatch to eachother and the sides of the container if you aren't careful. It really is quite fasinating how it works!
Question! You mentioned at the beginning of the post that it may take a few days for the crystals to form, then later you said 4 hours. How much time should I plan on... to be safe?
Reply to Piper: After 4 hours you should see crystals begining to form. If you don't you need to re-boil the sugar water. The first time I made this it took about 3 days to be ready to pull out. The time I made the one pictured it only took 6 hrs before there were so many crystals it was almost hard to get the stick out!
Wow, great project for kids! Thanks for sharing.
My son would LOVE to do this with his daddy! Thanks for sharing! Would love for you to visit me at Sew Chatty and link up to Made with Love Monday. The party will be open until Friday if you have anything you else you want to link up! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com
I can't wait to give these a try!
Wendy
Around My Family Table
So so so fun! Great tut, I've always wanted to make these. I'd love to have you submit it to the M&T Spotlight: http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight
FUN! I am totally making these with my boys...and soon! Thanks so much for the step by step!
My little men would love this. I am totally going to do this with them. Coming from Be Different Act Normal.
Just Another Day in Paradise
so funny...i have some rock candy on the counter right now...we are only at day 2...and getting impatient! stopping by from show and tell saturday!
this is so cool My husband will love them. thanks for sharing.
That is so fun! I am bookmarking this. Thanks for sharing!
Selina - What a fun idea! I would love to try this. Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase. I'll be featuring this today. Stop by and grab a featured button if you like. Hope you have a fabulous week! Stephanie Lynn
I hate to sound stingy, but only 2 sticks of rock candy for 4 cups of sugar. That is kinda pricey to make.
Reply Mom of Two: Yes, it can be expensive so just buy the cheapest sugar around and only do it for a special occation. It's cheaper than the Rock Candy at the stores though. They sell for up to 2.99 a piece! I'm stingy too so I understand your comment :-) Have fun though if you can afford it!
Awesome! I have been looking for something to serve at a baby shower next month and these are perfect! Thanks for sharing!
I linked your tutorial over at I Burned the Brownies! Thanks for stopping by and following! I am your follower too!
http://iburnedthebrownies.blogspot.com/
Just hopped over from Lil Luna. I love these suckers, so do my kids, but I hate paying the money for them. Now I can make them with my kids. Thanks
Yuuuummmmm! This looks like so much fun - both the kids and grown-up versions look so yummy that I have got to make them! Thanks for sharing!
oh this would be such a fun special project for the kids I babysit!! Thanks so much for linking up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings.
www.ladybug-blessings.com
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