Pink Lemonade Hard Candy

Dolce Flav

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Author:

Dolce Flav

Servings

40

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

40 minutes

These Pink Lemonade Hard Candies are tart, refreshing, and perfectly sweet, replicating the classic pink lemonade flavor. Made with sugar, corn syrup, lemon extract, and a touch of red or pink coloring, these homemade candies are boiled to the hard-crack stage for that signature crunch. Perfect for gifts, candy jars, or summer treats, these candies are bright, flavorful, and fun to make.

Ingredients

2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup water
1–1.5 tsp Pink Lemonade Flavoring / Extract (or combination of lemon extract + strawberry/raspberry extract for pink color)
2–3 drops pink or red gel food coloring (optional)
Powdered sugar or cornstarch for dusting molds (optional)

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Directions

Prepare Molds or Sheet Lightly dust silicone candy molds or a parchment-lined baking sheet with powdered sugar or cornstarch to prevent sticking.
Combine Sugar Mixture In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water.
Stir over medium heat until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Boil to Hard-Crack Stage Attach a candy thermometer to the pan.
Bring the mixture to a boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F (149°C) — the hard-crack stage.
Remove from heat immediately.
Add Flavor and Color Allow the bubbling to settle for a few seconds, then stir in Pink Lemonade Extract and optional pink gel food coloring until fully combined.
Pour and Cool Carefully pour the hot candy syrup into prepared molds or onto the parchment-lined sheet.
Let the candies cool completely for 20 minutes or until firm.
Finish and Store Remove candies from molds or break sheet into pieces.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 months.

Recipe Note

FAQ — Pink Lemonade Hard Candy

1. Can I make this candy without corn syrup?

Yes — use glucose syrup or golden syrup, but corn syrup prevents crystallization.

2. Can I skip the food coloring?

Yes — it won’t affect flavor; the color is purely visual.

3. How strong should the pink lemonade flavoring be?

Start with 1 tsp; increase up to 1.5 tsp for a more intense flavor.

4. Can I make this candy sugar-free?

Yes — use sugar-free sweeteners suitable for hard candy, following manufacturer instructions.

5. Can I use lemon juice instead of extract?

Fresh lemon juice may affect texture; extract is recommended for a stable hard candy.

6. How long will homemade hard candy last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 2–3 months.

7. Can I pour the syrup into molds of any shape?

Yes — silicone molds of any shape or size work well.

8. Why is my candy sticky?

Humidity can cause hard candy to absorb moisture. Dust with powdered sugar or cornstarch if needed.

9. Can I mix flavors with pink lemonade?

Yes — strawberry, raspberry, or cherry extract complement pink lemonade for fun variations.

10. Can kids help make this candy?

Yes, but adult supervision is essential because the sugar syrup reaches very high temperatures.