Save The Jingle Bell Rock Candy Display is the perfect festive dessert platter to brighten up your holiday celebrations. This colorful assortment combines homemade rock candies shimmering with sparkling sugar, alongside holiday-themed chocolates and sweet sugar confections like gumdrops and candied fruit. Whether arranged as a centerpiece or served as a sweet treat, this display adds a joyful and eye-catching charm guaranteed to delight your guests.
Save Beyond its stunning appearance, this display lets you customize flavors and colors to suit your holiday theme. The combination of crunchy rock candy, creamy chocolates, and chewy sugar confections creates a delightful textural contrast that guests will love exploring.
Ingredients
- Rock Candy
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ tsp flavored extract (peppermint, cherry, or lemon)
- Food coloring (red, green, or as desired)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Holiday Chocolates
- 200 g high-quality dark chocolate, chopped
- 100 g white chocolate, chopped
- Holiday sprinkles or edible glitter
- Sugar Confections
- 1 cup assorted gumdrops
- ½ cup candied fruit (cherries, orange peel, etc.)
- ½ cup sparkling sugar or edible glitter
Instructions
- 1. Line Baking Sheets
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly dust with powdered sugar.
- 2. Prepare Rock Candy Mixture
- Combine granulated sugar, water, and corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- 3. Boil to Hard Crack Stage
- Increase heat and bring to a boil without stirring. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer (hard crack stage).
- 4. Color and Flavor
- Remove from heat immediately. Add flavored extract and a few drops of chosen food coloring. Swirl gently to combine.
- 5. Pour and Set
- Carefully pour the hot syrup onto the prepared baking sheet. Let cool for 5–10 minutes, then use a buttered knife to score into pieces or break into shards once fully set (about 1 hour). Dust with more powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- 6. Melt Chocolates
- Melt dark and white chocolate separately using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts.
- 7. Shape Chocolates
- Pour melted chocolates into festive silicone molds or spread onto parchment, swirling white into dark for a marbled effect. Sprinkle with holiday sprinkles or edible glitter. Let set at room temperature or refrigerate until firm, then unmold or break into pieces.
- 8. Assemble Display
- Arrange rock candy, chocolates, gumdrops, candied fruit, and sparkling sugar on a large platter in a decorative holiday pattern. Serve immediately or store candies in airtight containers.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Use a candy thermometer to ensure your rock candy reaches the perfect hard crack stage of 300°F (150°C). Dusting the parchment paper and rock candy with powdered sugar prevents sticking and makes handling easier. When melting chocolates, be careful to avoid overheating to preserve smooth texture and shine.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Experiment with different flavored extracts such as orange, almond, or vanilla for your rock candy to create unique taste profiles. Use festive silicone molds shaped like stars, snowflakes, or bells to enhance holiday themes. Adjust food coloring to match your preferred seasonal palette.
Serviervorschläge
Pair this dazzling dessert display with sparkling wine, rich hot chocolate, or warming spiced tea for a complete holiday indulgence. Present the platter at your festive gatherings to offer guests a sweet, colorful treat that doubles as edible décor.
Save With its mix of sparkle, color, and classic holiday flavors, the Jingle Bell Rock Candy Display is sure to become a festive favorite year after year. Whether you choose to make it a show-stopping centerpiece or a shareable sweet snack, this dessert combines creativity and tradition in every bite.
Recipe Help
- → How do I achieve the perfect hard crack stage for rock candy?
Use a candy thermometer to heat the sugar mixture until it reaches 300°F (150°C). Remove promptly to avoid burning and ensure proper crystallization.
- → What flavors work best for the rock candy extract?
Peppermint, cherry, and lemon extracts provide classic festive tastes, but almond, orange, or vanilla can add unique twists.
- → How can I prevent rock candy from sticking together?
Dust baking sheets and candy surfaces lightly with powdered sugar and store finished pieces separately in airtight containers.
- → What’s the best way to create marbled chocolates?
Swirl melted white chocolate into dark chocolate on parchment or in molds and sprinkle with holiday sprinkles before setting.
- → Can these sweets be made ahead of time?
Yes, rock candy and chocolates can be prepared in advance and arranged shortly before serving to maintain freshness and appearance.