Homemade Suckers Cooking Guide

• Start by clearing a large area on your countertop. Gather all your ingredients and equipment so you have everything at hand. If you’re using sucker molds, prepare them by lightly greasing them to ensure easy release after cooling.
• In your heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of water, and 1/3 cup of corn syrup. Stir gently until the sugar is dissolved. This step helps to avoid crystallization, which can ruin your suckers.
• Place the saucepan over medium heat. Attach your candy thermometer to the side of the pan, ensuring the bulb is submerged in the syrup but not touching the bottom of the pan. Allow the mixture to come to a boil without stirring.
• Watch the syrup as it heats up. You’re aiming for a temperature of 300°F (hard crack stage). Once it reaches this temperature, remove it from the heat immediately. This is the secret to achieving that perfect hard candy texture.
• Once the syrup has reached the desired temperature, add the 1/4 teaspoon of food coloring and your chosen flavoring (3-5 drops). Stir gently to combine, being careful not to splash the hot syrup.
• Carefully pour the syrup into your prepared molds or onto a parchment-lined baking sheet if you're making traditional suckers. If using molds, insert the sucker sticks into the center of each mold immediately after pouring.
• Allow the suckers to cool completely at room temperature. This can take about 30 minutes. If you’re using molds, once cooled, gently twist and pull the suckers out.
• Your Homemade Suckers are ready to be enjoyed! Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.