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Edible Coal Candy Recipe

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: ~50 pieces of coal
  • Category: Candy
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Edible Coal Candy is a fun and festive sweet treat that resembles lumps of coal, perfect for holiday gifting or unique dessert decoration. This recipe combines crunchy honeycomb candy coated in rich melted chocolate and dusted with black colored sugar to create an eye-catching and delicious confection. The candy has a satisfying crunch and a perfect balance of sweetness with a hint of bitterness from dark chocolate, making it a memorable holiday snack or hostess gift.

Ingredients

Scale

Honeycomb Candy

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup (or golden syrup)
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda

Coating

  • 8 oz dark or semisweet chocolate, melted
  • 1 cup caster sugar
  • Black food coloring (for coloring the caster sugar)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pan: Line a heat-safe ~8×10 or 9×9-inch container with parchment paper and set aside to cool the honeycomb candy after cooking.
  2. Make Sugar Mixture: Add granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water to a large pot over medium-low heat. Stir or whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved to avoid grainy candy.
  3. Heat to Hard Crack Stage: Increase heat to medium and attach a candy thermometer to the pot. Stop stirring once the sugar has dissolved and allow the mixture to cook undisturbed until it reaches 300-310°F (hard crack stage), targeting around 305°F for perfect texture.
  4. Add Baking Soda: Remove the pot from heat and immediately whisk in baking soda for no more than 10 seconds. The mixture will bubble up and foam to create the honeycomb texture.
  5. Pour and Cool: Quickly and carefully pour the foaming mixture into the prepared pan. Allow to cool completely, about 1-2 hours, until hardened.
  6. Break into Pieces: Once cooled, use a knife to break the honeycomb into coal-sized chunks. Save smaller shards for other uses like toppings or decorations.
  7. Color Sugar: Place caster sugar and a few drops of black food coloring into a plastic bag. Seal and rub until the sugar is evenly black. Add more coloring if needed, then transfer the sugar into a bowl.
  8. Melt Chocolate: Melt the dark or semisweet chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well between each, until smooth.
  9. Dip Honeycomb: Dip each piece of honeycomb candy into the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off. Place coated pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  10. Coat with Black Sugar: Just before the chocolate sets, toss each piece in the black colored sugar to coat well. If the chocolate hardens too fast, gently warm it with food-safe gloves to enable the sugar to stick.
  11. Set and Store: Let the chocolate fully set at room temperature. Store the edible coal candy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one month.
  12. Optional Packaging: Package the coal candy in small burlap bags decorated with labels or markers for festive gifting.

Notes

  • You can substitute honey for corn syrup but corn syrup provides the most consistent results for the honeycomb texture.
  • Black sanding sugar can be used instead of caster sugar mixed with food coloring but it doesn’t look as refined or authentic.
  • The size of the pan affects the thickness of the honeycomb; a smaller pan creates thicker pieces resembling real coal lumps better.
  • If chocolate sets too quickly before coating with sugar, warming it slightly with food-safe gloves helps the sugar adhere.
  • Do not store the candy in the refrigerator as it can cause the chocolate to sweat and lose texture.
  • Use a large pot as the mixture will bubble significantly after adding baking soda.
  • Handle the hot honeycomb mixture carefully with oven mitts and long utensils because it reaches temperatures above 300°F.
  • Use a heat-safe pan or container to pour the hot honeycomb to avoid breakage or accidents.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 piece (approximately 15g)
  • Calories: 70
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 10mg
  • Fat: 2.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 0.5g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Find it online: https://emilyquickdinners.com/edible-coal-candy-recipe/