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Seedless Watermelon Hard Candies

January 20, 2012 by Cara

Having a blog can be a lot of work.

{Especially for someone like me who pours her heart into the things she loves}

…and this blog is definitely something I love.

I can easily put 30 hours a week into this.

Part because I am crazy.

Part because this is my passion.

Part because I have found my calling.

Part because I have fallen in love with all of you.

YOU ALL ARE FABULOUS.

Seedless Watermelon Hard Candies - Fork & Beans

You really are.

If we were in the same classroom,

I would give each and every one of you a Valentine’s Day card

with a piece of candy attached.

Seedless Watermelon Hard Candies - Fork & Beans

I got this idea from ehow.com however I used the recipe that requires corn syrup (yuck!). 3 attempts later, this is what I found that works easiest without that nasty syrup aftertaste. 

Watermelon Hard Candy Recipe

Makes approx. 40 pieces

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1 c. water
  • food coloring
  • fruit-flavored essence (or oil)–flavor of your choice (you can find this at Michael’s, JoAnn’s, or other cooking/baking stores)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Place parchment paper into a small pan (I used my 7″x5″ one)
  2. Place sugar and water into a saucepan. Bring to soft boil, stirring constantly.
  3. Cover and allow to boil for 3-5 minutes. Remove cover and place thermometer into saucepan. Do not stir anymore at this point. When it reaches 310 degrees, remove from heat.
  4. Allow the mix to sit for 30 seconds-1 minute. Place a couple of drops of coloring and essence/oil and stir. Pour into parchment-lined pan. Let it cool briefly for 4 minutes (you want the candy harden a little but still soft so you can cut through it).
  5. Using kitchen scissors, cut into desired shapes. Dust with powdered sugar (this keeps from the candy from sticking together).

Seedless Watermelon Hard Candies - Fork & Beans

Or if you wanna make them into lollipops, you can easily place a sheet of parchment paper down, lie a lollipop stick onto the paper, and proceed to pour the warm candy mix onto the stick. Allow to cool to harden.

I would sign the card,

“Thank you for brightening my day every day!”

And then I would inevitably break out in song,

singing the theme to “The Golden Girls”…

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

  • Raw Chocolate HeartsRaw Chocolate Hearts
  • Graham Cracker SandwichesGraham Cracker Sandwiches
  • Homemade Candy ButtonsHomemade Candy Buttons
  • Vegan Marshmallow HeartsVegan Marshmallow Hearts

Filed Under: Kid-Friendly Tagged With: candy, gluten free, holidays, Valentine's Day, vegan, vegetarian, watermelon

About Cara

Based in Chicago with her husband and son, Cara is the creator behind the site Fork and Beans: A place where kids can have fun with their food.

Previous Post: « Homemade Candy Buttons
Next Post: DIY Sugar Cubes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mallory

    November 20, 2018 at 8:30 pm

    How long does it take to get to 310 degrees? Seems like mines taking a long time.. thanks!

  2. Nouc

    June 8, 2017 at 7:48 am

    Does this work with other candy (for example strawberries) too? Thanks a lot for this recipe!

    • Cara

      June 9, 2017 at 10:13 am

      Absolutely! Any flavor you want.

  3. Pedigo

    May 2, 2017 at 11:34 pm

    How much flavoring do you use?

  4. Amber

    August 15, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    In making watermelon fruit leather, I have 2 gallons of watermelon juice left over. I’m going to use it instead of water and flavoring, Bonn I get good results.

  5. Alexis

    July 12, 2016 at 8:47 am

    I tried this but I just ended up making syrup. What went wrong?

    • Cara

      July 13, 2016 at 7:03 am

      It sounds like you didn’t cook it long enough to harden…

  6. jana

    May 18, 2015 at 3:10 am

    thank you so much for this…I hate corn syrup cause it is expensive in sri lanka since it is imported…..this recipe is so easy also..thank you so much..

    • Cara

      May 20, 2015 at 6:35 am

      You got it Jana 😉

  7. Izzy

    April 20, 2015 at 5:24 pm

    These turned out GREAT!!!! Thank you so much! I have been trying to make candy for a while and have not succeeded, but these are perfect! What brand of flavoring do you use and does that brand have other flavors? Thanks again for these beautiful candies!

  8. Maria Alison @Ten at the Table

    November 7, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    roughly how much flavoring? Thanks!

  9. Marty

    October 22, 2014 at 7:17 pm

    I long does it take to make

  10. Jodie

    September 20, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    Hi, these candies look to beautiful! I love pink lemonade.
    And Jolly ranchers makes that flavor in a Lolipop but I want
    To be able to have small candies. I found this candy flavored oil
    At getsuckered.com that’s pink lemonade or sour pink lemonade,
    They have either propylene glycol or soybean oil. What would you
    Reccomend? I’m also going to try young living essential oils.
    Thanks for your recipe. I’m trying to get away from high fructose
    Corn syrup.

  11. Teresa

    March 22, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    I can’t wait to try this! Thank you for sharing!

  12. Amy

    February 12, 2014 at 11:17 am

    I tried this recipe earlier. While it tasted great, it was not so pretty. Could you possibly post more pictures or maybe a video of the forming/ sugar cutting process? Mine stuck to the paper and cracked before I could form all of them 🙁

  13. Jessica

    March 7, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    I found your blogpost the other day, and now I am fixated on making these lovley candies! I have been so intimidated to make hard candy, but you make it seem so easy! {And tasty!}
    Can you tell me the name of the watermelon flavoring you used? Did you get it at Michaels? I can’t seem to find it there now. I am so bummed!Thank you for sharing!!

  14. Veggie V! @ Veggie V's Vegan Adventure

    January 26, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    I’m a little behind on my blog reading (7 classes this semester – yeowza!), but I had to share…As I began reading your post about befriending all of “us,” I started singing the Golden Girls theme song in my head. And then I finished reading and laughed out loud. Thankfully, the only one here to hear me and wonder why I’m laughing hysterically at the computer is my pet fish.

    • Cara

      January 26, 2012 at 5:20 pm

      I so wish *I* could have heard that! That is sooooooooooo funny. See? This is why I have befriended you. And Veronica, if you threw a party, invited everyone you knew… haha

  15. promenadeplantings

    January 24, 2012 at 8:32 am

    Hi, these sound gorgeous. and they look, to me, a bit like proper Turkish delight in their colour and texture 🙂

    • Cara

      January 24, 2012 at 12:06 pm

      Hi Claire! Thank you for the comment! Can you believe that I have never had a Turkish Delight???

  16. Vanessa

    January 23, 2012 at 2:40 am

    Genius.

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:54 pm

      Will you send that to my father??? haha

  17. Sarah

    January 21, 2012 at 7:56 pm

    So beautiful! I do believe that sugar work will be one of the next food trends.

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:52 pm

      Sarah, it is sooooo much fun! eeeeeeee, getting excited just thinking about it. I am just dabbling now so I am excited to actually grow in my lack of skills. Excited for you and your new sugar adventures 🙂

  18. My Lovely Bites

    January 21, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    I can’t believe how many times you post a week! Everytime I come around there are two or three new posts! No wonder you can spend easily 30 hours a week on this.
    I don’t think I will ever be brave enough to venture into candy making, but these look sooo good! And watermelon is just in season now!

    Keep up the good work <3 You are amazing!

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:51 pm

      Okay, I have seen what you are capable (which is incredible, p.s.) so I KNOW that candy making would be simple for you. In fact, this is coming from the girl who used to be afraid of the candy thermometer. You would be fabulous making candy! Now I want you to start making candy. haha. And thank you for the seriously amazingly sweet words. WOW. I am blown away. xo. {and YOU are amazing as well!!!}

  19. Dawn (Vegan Fazool)

    January 21, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    Are these as good as they look?? NOT that I need to add to the chocolate cupcakes and gingerbread vegans that I made in the last three days 🙂

    XOXO

    P.S. We love you, too!

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:47 pm

      Probably not. haha. But can you really go wrong with sugar???? And watermelon flavor??? Gingerbread vegans? hahahaha. I love that. xoxoxox!

  20. naturalnoshing

    January 20, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    I love your dedication and passion! I sooooo could spend 30 hours blogging per week too!
    These candies are creative and incredible – goooooo Cara! You seriously rock my world! Xoxoxo

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:43 pm

      I guess I can say that I have a group of incredible bloggers who inspire me daily (you are at the top of my list). That is where I find my dedication and passion 🙂 xo

  21. Aurélie

    January 20, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    Your pictures are so lovely! 😀 And this recipe seems so delicious! Thanks for sharing it with us! 🙂

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:42 pm

      Thank you so much, Aurelie! {beautiful name, by the way!} How sweet of you to comment–so appreciated!

  22. ntepper

    January 20, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    AWWW! Cutest post ever! Don’t put in 30 hours a week, but continue to update as often as possible because I LOVE your posts! These are so cute and unique, great job!

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:41 pm

      I’m conflicted. I have to upkeep this much time in order to keep up with all of you 🙂 I actually LOVE LOVE LOVE it and would add another 20 hours/week just to hear you say great job. xo Thank you for being a fan. For reals. Means the world to me.

  23. Brooke

    January 20, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    Yum lum lum! So very pretty! I have a cold and all I want is hard candy to suck on. These look perfect! (Send me up a bag m’kay?)

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:36 pm

      Yum lum lum??? HAHA. You definitely need some hard candy to make that cold go away. Sending you a box full… 🙂 Hope you are feeling better now too. xo

  24. Richa@HobbyandMore

    January 20, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    super cool! i love those lollies and that jar full of candy! lots of hugs back at ya.. you are super fabulous with your witty posts and fun themes! Have a fantastic weekend! and i will make some dinner rolls for u someday!

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:34 pm

      I am loving this idea of a bartering system that we are developing, Richa. Now, if only we get our butts in gear and follow through on it! xo

  25. Kris

    January 20, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    oh, how I wish I was chillin’ in my guest room right now. with you. and Basil. and these.

    <3

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:34 pm

      Soon!!!!! How fun would that be? Crap, this means that I need to actually do everything that I have said thus far, huh? bahaha.

  26. thebigfatnoodle

    January 20, 2012 at 9:57 am

    Thanks for the lovely message, that’s really sweet, made sweeter by the candy recipe that follows too 🙂 I love the colour of the candy.

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:31 pm

      Isn’t pink a delight? I love love love the shade of color, too 🙂 xo

  27. Lizzie

    January 20, 2012 at 9:45 am

    Oh, dear, just when I was trying to resolve to make less sweets…

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:30 pm

      Yeah, you and me both, Lizzie. Maybe F&B will be taking a healthier twist soon. This belly of mine needs it 🙂

  28. Heather

    January 20, 2012 at 8:40 am

    So.Much. Fun. – can you get any cooler Cara, I mean come on making your own watermelon Candies – amazing!

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:30 pm

      Goodness, you are my self-seteem booster 🙂 Who needs therapy? Just start a blog and have THE coolest people like you saying the nicest things. Man. xo THANK YOU.

  29. Laurel

    January 20, 2012 at 6:37 am

    Gotta work on my essence. BTW – You make My day! Pretty photo, nice jar.

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:29 pm

      DO YOU MAKE YOUR OWN ESSENCE????

  30. jess

    January 20, 2012 at 5:48 am

    watermelon?! how did you know that was my favourite? these look delightful, but since you made them that is no surprise 🙂

    thank you for sharing yourself with us via fork and beans cara! and thank you for the genuine belly laughs that oft ensue reading your words. last night’s laugh? finding myself under your “people i stalk” tab. amazing. xo

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:28 pm

      I knew watermelon was your favorite because I have been stalking you… Glad it made you laugh and freak you out…yet, that is. Wait until you see the telescope I have set up across the street from your house 🙂 And a BIG thank you for your super kind words that just touched my heart. Truly. xo

  31. Kelly Klepfer

    January 20, 2012 at 5:14 am

    Going to have to make a batch of these for my hubby for Valentine’s Day. He LOVES Jolly Ranchers and I know they are full of nasty stuff. Interesting that your best luck was with simple sugar and water vs corn syrup. Thanks. You have a great blog. Gotta send the link to my celiac friend.

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:26 pm

      Hi Kelly! Hoping these turn out alright for you and your husband. I need to figure out what the secret is to making jolly ranchers. Those things are so tasty. These don’t quite taste like it but I’m still searching.. xo

  32. Shannon

    January 20, 2012 at 5:05 am

    I really need to venture more into the world of candy making. I even have lollipop sticks and molds. Now I just need some nice flavor essences!

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:25 pm

      Giiiiirrrrrlll, be careful! If you don’t wanna venture out of the candy making world, then definitely enter into it 🙂 You are already half way there… Let me know when you have taken the Matrix’s blue candy pill. No returning… hehe

  33. Kelly C

    January 20, 2012 at 3:55 am

    Aww shucks! How sweet! I love your jar by the way!

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:23 pm

      Guess where I got that???? 🙂

  34. reid

    January 20, 2012 at 3:37 am

    These are such beautiful photos and such a beautiful message! You rock my dear, in the sweet hard candy kind of way :D…

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:23 pm

      This just made my heart smile. Thank you for that, Reid. Loved this comment so much…

  35. Dawn

    January 20, 2012 at 3:02 am

    Wow – it’s like your very own jolly ranchers! They look yummy. BTW, you brighten my day 😀

    • Cara

      January 23, 2012 at 11:22 pm

      Oooooooh Jolly Ranchers–I loved those. And wouldn’t you know it, watermelon was my favorit flavor too 🙂 That, and apple. And guess what? YOU brighten MY day! We are even…

  36. Jocelyn

    September 8, 2014 at 9:25 am

    So excited! I am making this for the first time at this very moment… I’ll update you later 🙂
    Btw, I am new to your blog and I already love it!

  37. Jocelyn

    September 8, 2014 at 9:27 am

    I have no fruit essence….:( I will be attempting to use Kool-Aid mix 🙂 🙂

  38. Jocelyn

    September 8, 2014 at 10:25 am

    Kool-Aid was a great success! This is the easiest candy I’ve ever made! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  39. Cara

    September 8, 2014 at 10:27 am

    I LOVE how you improvised with Kool Aid-great idea! So glad it worked out, xo.

  40. Melanie

    October 4, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    Hi Jocelyn! I’ve been trying to make hard candy suckers with a kool aid mix FOREVER and can’t get it right!! Do you mind sharing how you used the packet, when you put it in (temp?) and did you use the whole packet? Mine WON’T set up, even when I let the mixture reach even higher than “hard crack” it’s just a sticky mess 🙁 thank you SO MUCH in advance for your help!

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Welcome, I’m Cara! At Fork and Beans you will find creativity at every corner. From snack ideas, to holiday fun–even crafts and activities to do with your kids. If you are a parent (or just love fun food), you’ve come to the right spot! Come check out the latest idea I’ve made for my family and stay awhile, won’t you?

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