Save to Pinterest The Jingle Bell Rock Candy Display is a dazzling holiday dessert that brings together a festive mix of homemade rock candies, rich chocolates, and sparkling sugar confections. Its colorful and shimmering presentation makes it a perfect centerpiece for your holiday gatherings, delighting guests not just with taste but with visual appeal. Crafted with care and creativity, this dessert platter celebrates the joy and sparkle of the season.
Save to Pinterest Creating this display is an enjoyable project that transforms simple ingredients into sparkling edible art. The process of making rock candy to the perfect hard crack stage is rewarding and results in beautiful shards that glisten like holiday jewels. Combined with handmade chocolates and colorful gumdrops, this platter encapsulates the spirit of festive indulgence.
Ingredients
- Rock Candy: 2 cups granulated sugar, ¾ cup water, ½ cup light corn syrup, ½ tsp flavored extract (peppermint, cherry, or lemon), food coloring (red, green, or as desired), powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Holiday Chocolates: 200 g high-quality dark chocolate (chopped), 100 g white chocolate (chopped), holiday sprinkles or edible glitter
- Sugar Confections: 1 cup assorted gumdrops, ½ cup candied fruit (cherries, orange peel, etc.), ½ cup sparkling sugar or edible glitter
Instructions
- 1. Prepare baking sheets
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly dust with powdered sugar.
- 2. Make rock candy syrup
- Combine granulated sugar, water, and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- 3. Boil syrup
- Increase heat and bring to a boil without stirring. Continue cooking until mixture reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer (hard crack stage).
- 4. Flavor and color syrup
- Remove from heat immediately. Add flavored extract and a few drops of chosen food coloring. Swirl gently to combine.
- 5. Form rock candy
- Carefully pour the hot syrup onto the prepared baking sheet. Let cool for 5–10 minutes, then use a buttered knife to score into pieces or break into shards once fully set (about 1 hour). Dust with more powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- 6. Melt chocolates
- Melt dark and white chocolate separately using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts.
- 7. Shape holiday chocolates
- Pour melted chocolates into festive silicone molds or spread onto parchment, swirling white into dark for a marbled effect. Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles or edible glitter. Let set at room temperature or refrigerate until firm, then unmold or break into pieces.
- 8. Assemble display
- Arrange rock candy, chocolates, gumdrops, candied fruit, and sparkling sugar on a large platter in a decorative holiday pattern. Serve immediately or store candies in airtight containers.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For best results, ensure your candy thermometer is accurate when making rock candy. Dusting the parchment and the candy with powdered sugar prevents sticking and makes handling easier. Using silicone molds can save time when creating holiday chocolates, and swirling white chocolate into dark adds a joyful marbled look.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Experiment with different extract flavors such as orange, almond, or vanilla to customize the rock candy. You can also vary food coloring to match your holiday theme. Using festive molds for chocolates allows you to create different shapes and designs that enhance the holiday spirit.
Serviervorschläge
Pair this sweet display with sparkling wine, hot chocolate, or spiced tea for a complete festive dessert experience. Serve the candies fresh as a centerpiece or package them individually as charming holiday gifts. Store candies separately to avoid mixing flavors.
Save to Pinterest With its sparkling textures and rich flavors, the Jingle Bell Rock Candy Display brings festive cheer to any holiday occasion. Whether shared at a party or used as a decorative treat, it invites everyone to enjoy the sweet magic of the season crafted by your own hands.
Recipe FAQs
- → How is the rock candy prepared to achieve the hard texture?
The sugar mixture is boiled to 300°F (hard crack stage) then flavored and colored before cooling to form solid candy shards.
- → What flavors work best for the rock candy extracts?
Popular extracts include peppermint, cherry, lemon, with options like orange or almond providing tasty variations.
- → How should the chocolates be molded or shaped?
Chocolates are melted and poured into festive silicone molds or spread on parchment paper with swirled patterns.
- → Can the display be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, the candies can be stored separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent flavor mixing.
- → What tools are essential for making this candy display?
A heavy-bottomed saucepan, candy thermometer, parchment paper, and optionally silicone molds are recommended.