Hard Christmas Candy

This is the first batch of my homemade hard Christmas candy. This flavor is orange but I plan to make some raspberry candy closer to Christmas. Here's the recipe.

HARD CHRISTMAS CANDY

2 c. sugar
1/2 c. white corn syrup
1/2 c. water
1 tbsp. vinegar
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp. food coloring
1 tsp. flavoring

In a heavy saucepan, stir the sugar, syrup, water, vinegar, and salt together until the sugar is dissolved. Cook over high heat until it reaches the hard crack stage (300 degrees F. on candy thermometer). Remove from fire and add coloring and flavoring. The candy can be divided and made into different flavors, green peppermint, red strawberry, or cinnamon, yellow butterscotch, etc. When the flavorings are stirred in the candy may steam.

Note: Line a cookie sheet with foil and then fill with powdered sugar. Using your finger, dig trenches into the powdered sugar. Pour the hot candy syrup into the trenches and cover with more powdered sugar. It will start to cool quickly. Once it's cool enough to handle, snip with scissors. Once it's completely cooled, roll in the powdered sugar and put it in your candy dishes. You can also use powdered sugar on your store bought hard candy. Simply add the powdered suger to the bag, close and shake until all sides are covered. No more sticky clumps of hard candy!