Food Science: Make Your Own Candy Canes (Better Than Store Bought)

Completed by 245 learners

Ages 10-15

Live One-Time Class

In this one-time course, learners will be led through the process of how to make their own candy canes and the science behind sugar crystallization.

Danita

Average rating:

4.8

Number of reviews:

(1,560 reviews)

Live video meetings

Meets once

3-7 learners per class

90 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

1 live meeting

1 hrs 30 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8

In this class, learners will be led through each step of making candy canes. We will talk about each of the ingredients as we add them and the crystallization process as we pull the candy. There is no presentation used in class, but a PDF of the steps will be provided in the classroom page. This is a great class to take with a partner so that you can stretch both the white and red candy sections at the same time, but you can do this with one learner alone as well. The emphasis will be placed on safety while handling and forming candy and how to make pulled candy safely.
The class breakdown:
Measuring Ingredients (first 15 minutes) and Understanding the Ingredients - during this time we will measure each ingredient after we have a short description of the ingredient's role in the recipe
Heating the Candy (next 15-20 minutes) - we will focus on the temperature of the candy
Pouring and Working the Candy (final hour) - the learners will be instructed on how to safely work with hot sugar, pull their candy, and form the seamless candy cane forms

Other Details

Parental Guidance

This class requires heating sugar and working with warm sugar so it is required that an adult be present to assist learners.

Supply List

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. peppermint extract
1 tsp. red food coloring
Citric acid (optional)
1 medium pot
Oven at lowest setting
1 candy or instant-read thermometer
Spoon
Scissors
2 baking sheets
PAM spray or silicone mats
Food-safe gloves (MUST HAVE)
Here is a great set of gloves for candy making (not a sponsor): https://www.amazon.com/Cake-Play-Isomalt-Protective-Medium/dp/B00AFR8TW4/ref=sr_1_5?crid=QETVON2078TM&keywords=sugar+gloves+for+candy+making&qid=1636393988&qsid=147-0551152-8031638&sprefix=sugar+gloves%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-5&sres=B00AFR8TW4%2CB077K2LDYP%2CB07DBF2TDM%2CB002D1CY7G%2CB002D197WQ%2CB01LZYADAD%2CB00JB9OXRC%2CB00P4PJOVM%2CB01IHHLB3W%2CB001FB6IFY%2CB01KZBY806%2CB00MXUHHGK%2CB00GS8VGP6%2CB07VCZRGM1%2CB07WSG341T%2CB00HEXQGFE%2CB08352Q6L1%2CB01N4B5MRD%2CB08WJQCX22%2CB087PKS1P7&srpt=PROTECTIVE_GLOVE

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Danita

Joined July, 2020

4.8

1560reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Hello! am a scientist and adventurer. I have a Masters degree in Animal Science with minors in Chemistry and Fish & Wildlife. I started my journey investigating sheep and goats, went on to study shrimp and zooplankton, and have many years of experience teaching STEM to students from preschool up to college.
The classes that I am currently teaching cover Food Science, Animal Science, Ichthyology, STEM experiments, and Women in STEM.
All my classes are anchored in exciting themes such as "Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse through STEM", "Interesting Animals from A to Z", and "Microscopic Adventures!". I generally have a short presentation which I try to keep 5-10 minutes long with the rest of the class time working with hands on learning. I create all my own high-quality material that your students will enjoy engaging with. My classroom is inclusive to all. 
Interesting facts about myself: 
1) I am an identical twin.
2) I have studied seabirds in Antarctica.