How to Make Rock Candy

If you’ve ever wondered how to make rock candy, now is the time to learn! This nostalgic childhood treat is easy to make, fun to eat and doubles as a science project!

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Seas of whiskey barrels lined the room, each one filled with gold.

Pure, sweet, colorful gold.

My siblings and I treasured the old-fashioned candy room at the Mast General Store. It was a must-visit on every family vacation to the North Carolina mountains.

My parents would let us each fill a white paper bag, stamped with the store’s logo in red ink. I’m sure they hoped we’d keep it under a pound apiece.

I’d always stuff mine full of my favorites: lemonheads, fireballs, candy dots, black licorice sticks, Mary Janes, candy necklaces, caramels and rock candy.

The rock candy always fascinated me. Just how did they make candy that looked like colorful sugar crystals?!

I got my answer one summer when my dad showed me how to make it during one of his “Dad School” lessons.

Dad School was a summer requirement at our house, in which he gave us reading and math worksheets to complete while he was at work, and sometimes he’d do science projects with us on the weekends.

One of those was rock candy, and I’m so glad I have that memory.

Even now, rock candy is still something I think is so fun. I’ll always order a drink with a rock candy garnish at a fancy cocktail bar!

It conjures up that nostalgic feeling, the same way these cake push pops or moon pie ice cream do for me.

If you love rock candy as much as me, now you can make your own. It’s cool to be a kid again!

Plus, it’s a fun project for kids. #science

Materials for making rock candy

You’ll need to gather a few things to make rock candy:

• 8 oz. mason jars, or larger (drinking glasses will work too, if you have spares)
• food-safe, wooden swizzle sticks OR string
• clothespins (or a pencil, if using string)
• a saucepan
• sugar
• water
• liquid food coloring — totally optional

How to make rock candy

Rock candy is surprisingly simple to make. It takes just 30 minutes to prepare, but about a week or two for the candy crystals to form.

Note: If you’re making it with the kiddos, please make sure to supervise as it will require making a very hot liquid.

First you’ll cook sugar and water together to make a super thick simple syrup. Be sure to follow the printable instructions below, because this is unlike any simple syrup you’ve ever made.

You can color the mixture with food coloring, if you like!

For a light, pastel color, 3-4 drops will do! For a bright, saturated color, do 6-8 drops or more. (Keep in mind that pastel will be easier to watch as the crystals grow.)

While it’s cooking, prepare what you want the sugar crystals to attach to, such as a wooden swizzle stick or a string.

Your rock candy needs to attach to sugar crystals, so run the sticks or string under some water to dampen it, then roll it in sugar — a heavy coat. Then let it dry completely.

When your sugar mixture is ready, decant it into glasses or jars. (I use 8-ounce jars, but you can use larger ones. I wouldn’t go smaller than 8-ounces, however.)

Insert the sticks or string. For sticks, use clothespins. For string, tie it to a pencil.

Cover with saran wrap to keep out bugs and dust. Then, set it aside.

Now the wait is on!

Rock candy takes a couple of weeks to fully form, but I think it’s the anticipation makes it that much more fun.

I hope you love making rock candy and that it brings you tons of childlike joy as you watch it form!

And if you want to enjoy it in an adult drink (like a champagne cocktail) — I definitely won’t tell.

More candy recipes

• Ginger Chews: These ginger candies are some of my favorites to snack on!
• White Chocolate Bark: So much fun to make with colorful candies and sprinkles.
• Brown Sugar Caramels: Caramels are a delicious treat to add to candy gift boxes.