Lifesaver Candy Canes

December 23, 2013

I’ve had a couple comments about problems with the candy canes melting too fast.  I retested the recipe, making sure to use an oven thermometer to ensure my oven was properly calibrated (it was), and I stand by my original directions. 

Just a couple of notes. .

If you use fewer candy canes, they will be done faster.  So perhaps for 4-5 minutes. 

If you use more candy canes, they will take longer. 

While melting, I check mine every 2 or 3 minutes, and take them out when they are just melted.

If you leave them to cool on your hot cookie sheet, they will continue to melt. 

Buy an oven thermometer to ensure that your oven is calibrated correctly.

I keep my oven light on the entire time the candies are in the oven, so I can see them at all times.

This seems like a no brainer, but when you see that they are melted take them out.  The approximate times I have given, are just that – approximate.  Use your common sense.

Hope this helps!

Lifesaver candy canes. . .aren’t these the cutest?!  They’re fun to make, and there are plenty of jobs for all of the kids.  In fact, the only “adult” job is manning the oven.

So here’s the backstory . . .

My friend Janna was looking for something edible to make for her daughter to sell for a school economics project, and she found this idea here.

After listening to her talk about them on the phone, I was running for the car keys to buy some Lifesavers of my own.

Janna made her’s with red and white Lifesavers, but I knew I wanted rainbow ones.

All you need is. . .

hard Lifesavers candies (any color of your choice)

a cookie sheet

parchment paper

*treat bags and ties are optional, but I recommend them.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Have the kids unwrapped all of the candies and set aside.  It’s handy to have the trash nearby for this part – those wrappers can make a big mess quick!

Place 8 Lifesavers in a candy cane shape on the parchment-line cookie sheet – make sure they’re touching!

Place the cookie sheet in the oven for 4 – 6 minutes.  *I had 4-6 candy canes on each cookie sheet.

Take them out of the oven and slide the parchment sheet (with candy canes) onto the table to cool.

Repeat with remaining candy.  I was able to make 12, give or take, with a regular-size bag of Lifesavers.  Imagine how many you could make with the huge bag!

When they’re cool you can package them for giving.  They can be fragile, so I like to place them in a cellophane bag (with the opening on the bottom) and twist tie them.

These are really cute tied onto gifts, and packages, as an edible accent/decoration.

*This idea has also been published in Kraft Food and Family Magazine – Holiday 2004.

Linking to One Artsy Mama Holiday Party, I Heart Nap Time