Go Back Email Link

Psycho Goreman - Red Crystals

If you've never made candy before, this is an easy one to start with. It requires a candy thermometer that you can buy anywhere. You can also use this recipe to make stained glass for gingerbread houses and cookies. Gigax dwellers beware!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups Granulated white sugar no substitutions
  • 4-5 drops Red food coloring (See Notes for alternatives)
  • 1 cup Light Karo Syrup ( corn syrup )
  • 1 - 2 drops Flavoreen Cherry Extract see link in Notes
  • 1/2 cup water

Equipment

  • 1 Candy thermometer
  • 1 Large baking sheet
  • 1 Heavy bottom pan
  • Parchment paper greased lightly

Method
 

  1. Grease the parchment paper and set on the baking sheet. Be sure it covers the entire sheet
  2. Add sugar, corn syrup, and water into the pot and whisk VERY well.
  3. Begin heating on medium heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. The mixture will look a little milky at first, but keep going until it totally clear.
  4. Bring the sugar mixture to a boil. STOP STIRRING! Use a wet pastry brush to push any crystals on the side of the pan, down.
  5. Keep boiling the mixture until the candy thermometer reaches 290 - 300 degrees. ( About 15 - 20 mins )
  6. IMMEDIATELY remove the pot from heat and after the boil stops, add the flavoring and the food coloring. Fold in with a spatula.
  7. Pour the whole mixture onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet and tilt it gently to get the mixture evenly coated. BE CAREFUL THE MIXTURE IS HOT!
  8. Let the mixture sit for at least 1 hour and preferably 2 before cracking the hardened candy to make Psycho Gorman crystals either by tapping the sheet with a butter knife handle or by picking up the parchment paper sheet and rapping on the counter.

Notes

 
Watch your temperature in the boiling phase and ONLY use a candy thermometer.
Candy shards may be sharp! You can "sand" them down a little on a fine cheese grater or cutting them up into more even pieces.
Grease the parchment paper with a cooking spray to leave the least amount of residue. 
You can use Hibiscus powder to create red food dye. It's a little less vibrant, but it works and is very easy to use. Get is on Amazon here -  https://amzn.to/4oONd3k This is an affiliate link
Cherry flavor is available on Amazon here - https://amzn.to/4vyFQQ6  This is an affiliate link.