Cinnamon Candy

The ladies at our church have a tradition of sorts. Every year for quite a few years now, they make hard cinnamon candy as a fundraiser for a special Christmas offering that goes directly to missionaries. This year they sold one-pound bags for $6. I'm not sure the exact number of bags sold but I do know they have worked at least four separate days filling orders. The candy turns out beautifully and each person seems to know their job. Some measure ingredients for the pot, some are stirrers (a very hot job that requires much patience), some are flippers once the candy has reached hard-ball stage and is poured out onto the marble slab, and some are cutters cutting the candy into bite-size pieces. Beautiful powdered-sugar coated cinnamon candy isn't the only thing that is produced, because along with the candy, there is some sweet fellowship that occurs during the process. There is much laughter, sweet sharing, and cares relayed.

There is so much more to cooking than what meets the eye. It is what happens in the process that draws our hearts together. It may be during preparation, it may be at the table as a meal is eaten. It can even happen during cleanup for those precious folks who linger to help! Regardless of when it happens, it is sweet. I hope as you spend time in your kitchen during these days leading up to Christmas you experience fellowship as sweet as your goodies.

My recipe for today is for the cinnamon candy our ladies make. Gather a couple friends and stir up a batch to share with neighbors. While you're at it, stir in a little laughter. It'll make the candy taste that much better.

Cinnamon Candy
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. Karo syrup
1/2 c. water
Cinnamon candy flavoring
Red food coloring

Combine the sugar, Karo and water in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat and boil to hard crack (300 degrees), stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add cinnamon candy flavoring and red food coloring. (Be careful because this will cause steam and burn your face.) You can pour this onto a marble slab, flipping occasionally with a metal spatula to cool. Continue to flip until the candy no longer "runs." Cut candy into bite-size pieces. (Or, you can pour candy mixture onto a greased cookie sheet. Crack into pieces after candy has cooled and is hard. Pour powdered sugar on candy and shake in strainer.)

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.