Making Rock Candy Is A Great Way To Spend Time With Your Kids

When some parents try to spend time with their children, they try to do things that involve their participation. One of the most popular of this type of activity is cooking or baking. Rock candy (also known as rock sugar) is one candy that many parents like to make with their young children because it is very easy to make and the child always enjoys the finished product. If you want to make rock candy with your child, you'll first need to get these ingredients:

4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup water
Food coloring
A clean, clear glass jar
String, cut into 6-inch lengths
A full-length pencil

In a medium saucepan boil the water and 2 cups of the sugar. While the sugar-water is boiling, keep stirring it until the sugar completely dissolves. As you're stirring, gradually add the rest of the sugar and a few drops of whatever color food coloring your child desires. Once all of the sugar is dissolved, pour the contents of the saucepan into the jar. Tie the pieces of string onto the pencil. Make sure that the pieces of string are placed an even distance from each other across the mouth of the jar. Dangle the pieces of string in the water and put the jar in a place in which the jar won't be disturbed.

Crystals will begin to form within the first hour, but they won't be very big for a few days (a week is customary). If you and your child get impatient, they may be ready to eat within a few hours, but it's usually worth the wait. This recipe came from www.recipegoldmine.com, and if you're looking for a recipe to make with your kids, this place is exactly what the name ensues: a gold mine.