Rock Candy Stir Sticks

• 2 cups water
• 5 cups sugar
• Drops of food coloring
• Plastic container lid
• Wooden coffee stir sticks, bamboo sticks or popsicle sticks

In a large saucepan over medium heat, place water. Bring to a boil and stir in sugar. Continue to boil until mixture reaches 260 degrees F. Remove from heat and let mixture cool for 5 minutes. Pour sugar mixture into glass jar add drops of food coloring. Mix lightly. Punch the sticks through the plastic lid. Set lid over the glass jar so the sticks hang down into the sugar mixture but do not touch the bottom of the jar.

Set the mixture aside for 7 days. After 7 days, carefully lift the lid out of the jar and you will find magical rock candy stir sticks. Give the sticks as gifts for grown-ups to stir in their coffee or tea. Kids can us them in hot cocoa. Eating them as a sucker is also fun. Enjoy.

By Jan from Suring. WI