Jawbreakers, also known as gobstoppers, have been satisfying sweet teeth for over a century.Candy lovers can enjoy a single of these hard candies for hours, allowing each layer of the treat to reveal a new flavor and color.If you've already proven yourself as a champion jawbreaker and you want a new challenge, you can make your own jawbreakers with just a few ingredients.
Step 1: Put the water and sugar in a pot.
The sugar is moist.If you can, use water with filters.The taste of the final product can be affected by the subtle aftertaste of tap water in some areas.
Step 2: The stove burner is set to "high".
As the ingredients heat up, they will blend together into a syrup.The sugar can easily burn if it's allowed to stick to the bottom of the pot.
Step 3: Prepare sugar for the "hard-crack" stage.
The water evaporates when you boil the syrupy mixture.The "hard-crack" stage is where you want to heat the mixture until all of the water is gone.If you want to know when you've reached the hard-crack stage, you can use a candy thermometer, a cold water test, and a small amount of syrup.Take it out and look at it.The syrup should have formed brittle threads that crack when bent.It needs to cook longer if it's still soft.
Step 4: Remove from heat.
If you let your syrup cook past the hard-crack stage, it will start caramelizing.It's not usually used for jawbreakers because of the rich, complex flavor of caramel.
Step 5: Add flavor and coloring.
Stir thoroughly to combine the liquid flavoring.The stronger your candy's flavor is, the more you add flavoring.If you want, you can add a few drops of food coloring at this point.The taste of the candy will not be affected by this.
Step 6: You can put the liquid into your muffin tins.
If you want to make jawbreakers, pouring your liquid more thickly will give you a harder texture.Thin candies are easier to bite into.
Step 7: The jawbreakers should be cooled in the refrigerator.
It can take anywhere from half an hour to two hours for your candy to cool completely.The closer they get to the rock-hard jawbreaker texture, the better.
Step 8: Remove and serve when the candy has cooled completely.
If you want to get the candies out, you have to twist the muffin tin or candy mold.Enjoy!
Step 9: It's possible to make multiple jawbreakers.
You can see the rings made by the different layers if you cut the candy in half.It's possible to get a similar effect with a little extra work.The first step is to make a bunch of jawbreakers.Give the second recipe's worth of syrup a different color and flavor than the first one.Roll your jawbreakers in the syrup to give them an even coat.Put the coated jawbreakers in the fridge to cool off.
Step 10: Popping candy has an interesting twist.
If you want to give your jawbreakers a little extra bite, try stirring a generous pinch of popping candy.As you add the flavoring and color, put it into your syrup.When the jawbreakers are over, the popping candy will make you happy.
Step 11: You can make your own candy flavors.
If you're willing to experiment, you don't need to use commercial liquid candy flavors.If you want to make your own flavorings for use in jawbreakers and other candies, there are a number of ways to do it.One cheap, easy way to make your own flavor is to add water to a packet of Kool-Aid powder.If you want the extra water to boil off, stir this into your mixture earlier in the cooking process.If you use this method, add a splash of fruit juice and give the extra liquid a chance to boil off.
Step 12: You can make lollipops with sticks.
The jawbreaker recipe is very similar to other hard candies.If you dip a popsicle stick in each jawbreaker, you'll get a set of lollipops once they cool down.Lay the sticks on their sides to keep them upright while the candy cools.If you want to get lollipops, turn the candies 90 degrees.
Step 13: Try different shaped molds.
The shapes of your jawbreakers are limited by the molds you have handy, so try using differently-shaped molds to make exciting new designs.It's difficult to get perfectly round jawbreakers like you'd see in a store.There is a seam around the edge of the jawbreaker.Professional candy makers use a process called "panning" which involves rolling the jawbreakers in round vats of ingredients for long periods of time to produce their round shape.If you're serious about making jawbreakers, you may want to invest in specialized equipment.