Some people asked me for it recently, here it is:
Microwave Hard Candy
Ingredients:
1 Cup granulated sugar
1/2 Cup light corn syrup
1/2 Teaspoon flavoring oil (http://www.lorannoils.com/)
2-3 Drops Food coloring
Directions:
1. Thoroughly mix sugar and corn syrup in microwave safe glass bowl
2. Cover with plastic wrap
3. Microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes and 15 seconds *
4. Quickly stir the sugar mixture and then cover with a NEW sheet of plastic wrap
5. Microwave on high for 3 minutes and 15 seconds *
6. After boiling has ceased, add coloring and flavoring
7. Pour syrup quickly, onto lightly greased baking parchment, or into non-stick/sprayed molds. Allow to cool naturally, never in the refrigerator
* Cooking time will depend heavily on your microwave. Smaller inexpensive microwaves require more time (try upping the time by 10 second increments). Larger (higher wattage) microwaves require less time (again, try by dropping the time by 5 second increments)
Tips:
Work fast as cooling occurs in mere seconds. In just a few minutes, you’ll move from handling some stuff with the consistency of light cooking oil to, handling stuff that has the consistency of, well… rock hard candy.
Always use oil extracts instead of traditional extracts. The alcohol content of traditional extracts is upwards of 70%. Which will evaporate on contact with the 300 degree mixture. Leaving you with very little flavoring.
When pouring onto baking sheets, in order to avoid creating sharp edges (for little mouths), allow candy on baking sheets to cool until semi-hard. Score in a checker board pattern (3/4″ apart) with a pizza cutter, repeat often as needed as your “lines” will self-heal. Break candy into pieces along lines. This is much easier than the scissors method some recipes suggest.
Dust liberally with confectioners sugar and store in cool, dry location.