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These homemade Valentine’s Day candies bring a personal touch to your celebrations. They are simple to make yet impressive to give, allowing you to tailor colors and decorations to your loved ones’ tastes.
I tried making these for my niece’s school party and the kids were enchanted by the bright colors and fun shapes. Now it’s a yearly tradition in our family.
Ingredients
- One cup of sugar: the key sweetener use pure white sugar for clarity and shine
- Half a cup of corn syrup: this prevents crystallization making the candy smooth and glassy
- Quarter cup of water: helps dissolve the sugar and control the cooking temperature
- Half teaspoon of vanilla extract: adds a lovely aromatic note opt for pure vanilla if possible
- Food coloring: pick gel or liquid colors for vibrant hues natural colorings also work for a subtle touch
- Sprinkles: choose festive ones to add texture and charm to the final candies
Instructions
- Souder les ingrédients:
- Combine sugar corn syrup and water in a medium saucepan ensuring the ingredients are well mixed at room temperature
- Porter à ébullition:
- Heat over medium flame without stirring allowing the mixture to come to a boil uniformly
- Cuire au stade de cassure:
- Using a candy thermometer cook the syrup until it reaches three hundred degrees Fahrenheit one hundred and fifty degrees Celsius which is the hard crack stage
- Ajouter les arômes et la couleur:
- Remove the pan from heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and your chosen food coloring to incorporate evenly
- Verser sur une plaque beurrée:
- Carefully pour the hot syrup onto a baking sheet lightly greased with butter or sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking
- Découper et décorer:
- Allow the candy to cool just enough to handle but not completely hard then use cookie cutters or a knife to cut into desired shapes and decorate with sprinkles before fully setting
My favorite part is the moment the syrup hits the baking sheet how it slowly spreads and cools forming tiny rainbows and sparkling candy. It always reminds me of making crafts with my grandmother and her magical patience.
Storage tips in France
Store candies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp. Avoid humidity and direct sunlight which can cause stickiness or melting. Layer separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking together
Ingredient substitutions in France
You can substitute corn syrup with glucose syrup which is common in French patisseries for a more neutral taste. If you prefer natural sweeteners try honey but the texture may change slightly. Try natural food colorings like beet juice powder or spirulina for a healthier option
Serving suggestions in France
Arrange candies in small treat bags or pretty boxes tied with ribbons for Valentine’s Day gifts. Serve alongside a cup of coffee or tea as a sweet finish to a romantic meal. Combine with chocolate and fruit for a colorful dessert platter
These candies are a sweet, personal Valentine’s treat that’s quick to make and lovely to share. Enjoy decorating them with loved ones for a memorable family moment.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Quelle est la température idéale pour cuire ces douceurs ?
La cuisson doit atteindre environ 150°C (300°F) pour obtenir la bonne consistance des bonbons durs.
- → Quel parfum peut-on ajouter à la préparation ?
Un extrait naturel de vanille apporte une saveur douce et subtile à la confiserie.
- → Comment décorer ces friandises maison ?
Les bonbons peuvent être agrémentés de colorants alimentaires et de petites billes sucrées pour un effet visuel festif.
- → Peut-on adapter cette préparation pour un régime végétarien ?
Oui, cette douceur est compatible avec un régime végétarien, sans ingrédients d'origine animale.
- → Combien de temps prend la préparation ?
Le temps total pour réaliser ces douceurs est d'environ 25 minutes, cuisson comprise.