Crystal Candy: Colorful Agar Agar Gelatinous Sweet Treat Recipe
Crystal Candy is a vibrant, homemade sweet treat made using agar agar and sugar. This delightful candy mimics the look of sparkling gems or crystals with vivid colors and customizable flavors. Perfect for candy lovers seeking a fun, visually stunning confection that is gelatin-free and easy to make at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours including cooling and drying time
- Yield: Approximately 40 small candy pieces 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cup water
- 3 teaspoons agar agar powder
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon flavoring of choice
- 1–3 drops liquid food coloring (as desired)
Instructions
- Preparation: Before you begin, gather all ingredients and materials because the candy sets quickly after cooking. Lightly grease small containers to hold different flavors. Have your food coloring and flavoring ready to add quickly after cooking.
- Mix Agar Agar and Water: In a small pot, add the water and sprinkle in the agar agar powder. Stir gently and let the mixture stand for 5 minutes to hydrate the agar agar.
- Boil the Mixture: Heat the pot and bring the water and agar agar mixture to a boil. Boil it for 3 minutes while stirring to dissolve the agar agar completely. Then add the granulated sugar and stir until dissolved. Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes.
- Divide and Flavor: Remove the pot from heat and quickly pour the hot syrup into the greased containers. Add your chosen flavoring (total about ¼ teaspoon across all containers) and a few drops of food coloring to each container. Stir gently with a toothpick or wooden skewer to swirl the color and flavor evenly through the candy.
- Refrigerate to Set: Cover the containers and refrigerate for 1-2 hours until the candy is firm but still sticky to the touch.
- Cut the Candy: Remove the set candy by popping it out onto a cutting board. Use a paring knife to cut it into desired shapes. Trim or bevel the edges to create crystal or gem-like facets. Collect any scraps and either combine them with larger pieces or form smaller clusters.
- Dry and Form Crust: Arrange the candy pieces on parchment-lined baking sheets. Store them in a cool, dry place for 5-7 days, rotating occasionally to allow a crust to form on all sides. Covering will slow crust formation.
- Optional Decoration: Once fully crusted, optionally decorate the candy with edible gold luster dust or gold leaf to enhance their gem-like appearance.
Notes
- Work quickly after cooking as the candy sets fast.
- Use small containers straight from the start for easy shaping and portioning of different flavors and colors.
- To get the best crystal effect, bevel the edges of candy pieces carefully.
- Allow adequate drying time for crust formation to enhance texture and handling.
- Edible metallic decorations add a stunning finishing touch but are optional.
- Store candy in a cool, dry place to maintain quality and prevent stickiness.
Keywords: crystal candy, homemade candy, agar agar candy, colorful candy, gelatin-free candy, jewel candy, sweet treat
