How to Make Flavoured Hard Candy & Lollipops

Whether you are making hard candy or lollipops at home, or you're an established confectionist requiring commercial quantities, Universal Flavours has what you need to create a truly unique flavour.

What you’ll need

✦ 2 cups granulated sugar
✦ ⅔ cup light corn syrup or glucose
✦ ¾ cup water
✦ Candy thermometer
✦ Oil-soluble flavour concentrates
✦ Candy moulds or lollipop sticks (optional)
✦ Food colouring (optional)
✦ Heat-resistant gloves and utensils

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Step-by-step guide

Build

In a heavy saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, light corn syrup or glucose, and water. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring. Bring to a boil and heat until the mixture reaches 150°C (300°F), the hard crack stage.

Flavour

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the bubbling to settle briefly. Quickly add your suitable flavour concentrate and food colouring, if desired. Stir carefully to combine, following the recommended usage rate for your chosen concentrate.

Finish

Carefully pour the mixture into candy moulds or onto a silicone mat, adding lollipop sticks if desired. Leave to cool completely, around 30 minutes, until hardened. Wrap finished candies in cellophane or store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place to protect them from moisture.

How much flavour concentrate should you use?

For a standard batch of hard candy made with 2 cups of sugar, start with ¼ teaspoon of flavour concentrate, then adjust to taste in future batches if needed. Some flavours are more potent than others, so always check the manufacturer's recommended usage rate and suitability for hard candy before adding.

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Tips for best results

✦ Only add flavour after removing syrup from heat to preserve potency.
✦ Avoid moisture: Store finished candy in airtight containers.
✦ Work quickly: The mixture sets fast once it starts cooling.
✦ Be careful! Hot syrup can burn. Wear gloves and protect your skin.

What flavours work well in hard candy & lollipops?

✦ Watermelon – Bright and juicy
✦ Green Apple – Crisp and tart
✦ Cinnamon – Bold and spicy
✦ Bubblegum – Fun and nostalgic
✦ Lemon – Sharp and refreshing
✦ Blue Raspberry – Vibrant and sweet
✦ Cherry – Classic candy shop favourite