Christmas Coal Candy is a playful and sweet holiday treat that looks like a lump of coal but tastes like a crunchy, sugary delight. It’s a fun recipe often gifted as a joke for those on Santa’s “naughty list,” yet everyone enjoys its crackly texture and vanilla sweetness. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s perfect for adding a bit of humor and sparkle to your Christmas dessert table.
1. Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Black gel food coloring (a few drops)
- 1 large egg white
- 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
- A pinch of salt
- Optional: peppermint or anise extract for extra flavor
2. Cooking Time
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Cooling time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour
3. Serving Quantity
- Makes about 12–15 pieces
4. Instructions
- Prepare a Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Make Sugar Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- Cook to Hard-Crack Stage: Increase heat and cook without stirring until the mixture reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer.
- Add Flavor and Color: Remove from heat. Quickly stir in vanilla extract and black gel food coloring until the color is deep and even.
- Whip Egg White: In a separate bowl, beat the egg white with cream of tartar and salt until stiff peaks form.
- Combine Mixtures: Slowly pour the hot syrup into the whipped egg white while mixing continuously on low speed. The mixture will puff up and resemble coal.
- Shape and Cool: Immediately pour into the prepared pan. Let cool for 30 minutes, then break into chunks to look like coal pieces.
5. Nutrition (per piece)
- Calories: 85
- Fat: 0 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Sugar: 21 g
6. Tips for Best Results
- Be careful when handling the hot sugar syrup—it’s very hot and sticky.
- Use gel food coloring, not liquid, for a dark and rich color.
- Add edible glitter or crushed peppermint for a festive look.
- Store in an airtight container to keep the candy crisp.
- Wrap in clear bags with holiday ribbons for fun Christmas gifts.
This Christmas Coal Candy is the perfect balance of humor and sweetness—guaranteed to make both kids and adults smile during the holidays.
