Description
Horehound candy is an old-fashioned treat known for its unique bittersweet flavor and soothing properties, often used as a cough remedy. Here’s how you can make this nostalgic candy at home!
Ingredients
- 🌿 1 cup fresh horehound leaves (or ½ cup dried horehound)
- 💧 2 cups water
- 🧂 2 cups granulated sugar
- 🌽 ½ cup light corn syrup
- 🍋 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for a citrus twist)
- 🍬 Powdered sugar (for coating, optional)
Instructions
Brew Horehound Tea
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the horehound leaves and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Strain the liquid into a clean saucepan, discarding the leaves.
Make the Candy Base
- Add sugar, corn syrup, and lemon juice (if using) to the strained horehound tea.
- Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
Cook to Hard-Crack Stage
- Increase heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook without stirring until it reaches 300°F (hard-crack stage) on a candy thermometer.
Pour and Cool
- Quickly pour the hot syrup onto a greased baking sheet or into silicone candy molds.
- Let cool slightly before scoring into pieces or shaping.
Finish and Serve
- Once hardened, break into small pieces or unmold the candies.
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired, to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Flavor Adjustment: If you find horehound too strong, reduce the amount of leaves or use horehound extract instead.
- Candy Texture: If you prefer a chewy texture, cook the syrup to a slightly lower temperature (around 250°F for soft-ball stage).
- Storage: To prevent candy from sticking, store in parchment paper layers inside an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: ~50
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Horehound Candy Recipe , Herbal Candy , Homemade Horehound Candy , Old Fashioned Herbal Candy, Throat Soothing Candy,