“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.” — Buddy the Elf
After 12 days of holiday baking, it seems like the main food groups are candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup. So no sense in disappointing! This candy corn recipe is nothing short of delicious and easily fits into our main food groups! We made a modified version of Alton Brown’s candy corn recipe back in October and knew that this would be perfect for a gift during the holidays. It’s an easy recipe with simple pantry ingredients. The little bit of honey gives this such good flavor.
Since these are finger foods, it was super easy to package them up in a little bottle that I got from the store and tie a big ribbon around for decorations. You could also fill a decorative candy dish with these and wrap with holiday plastic wrap.
It is with this final recipe that we wrap up the 12 days of holiday baking. I hope you have enjoyed the recipes as much as we did. If you have missed any of the days I feel like I should sing, on the first day of Chrisymas my true love gave to me…Special K Bars. On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me…Rocky Road Bark, and Special K Bars. Somehow this just doesn’t seem to work as well as the original song. So I’ll spare you, but you get the idea.
And with that said, I feel I must wish everyone a happy holiday! Thank you for sticking around all year, reading the posts, trying the recipes, commenting, tweeting, liking, following and pinning. It’s the simple things like that which keeps us motivated to continue cooking.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And remember…Eat Dessert First
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 ounces confectioner's sugar
- 1/2 ounce nonfat dry milk
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 1/2 ounces granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 ounces light corn syrup
- 1 1/4 ounces honey
- 2 1/2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 or 3 drops each green and red gel paste food coloring
Instructions
- Combine the confectioners sugar, dry milk and salt in a food processor.
- Pulse 4 or 5 times, until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, honey and water in a 2 quart pot. Place over medium heat, cover and cook for 4 minutes.
- Add the butter, and bring the sugar syrup to 242°, about 2 to 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Add the vanilla and the dry mixture and stir continuously with a silicone spatula until well combined.
- Pour onto a half sheet pan lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Cool for 20 minutes, until the mixture is cool enough to handle.
- Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Add 2 or 3 drops of red food coloring to one piece and knead until the color is worked throughout.
- Add 2 to 3 drops of the green to the second piece and knead until the color is worked throughout.
- Leave the third piece white.
- Cut each color of dough into thirds.
- Roll each piece of dough into a strand about 22 inches long. Lay the strands side by side (red, green, then white) and press them together using your fingers. Cut off the uneven ends, then using a bench scraper or ruler, press each piece into a wedge, keeping the red section wide and making the white part come to a tip.
- Use a bench scraper, pizza cutter or knife, to cut each wedge into individual candies. Lay the candies on a piece of parchment until dry. At least 2 hours. Store in an airtight container with parchment between each layer.
28 comments… add one
Laura @ MommyDearest December 6, 2017, 2:28 pm
I love this Reindeer Corn Recipe. I think we will be trying this out over Christmas Break. Thank you for the 12 days of Holiday Baking. Merry Christmas
serena December 8, 2017, 9:29 am
Thanks so much! Enjoy 🙂
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh December 6, 2017, 2:30 pm
My daughter has a corn allergy and hasn’t had candy corn in years! I’m going to try and make this with agave!
serena December 8, 2017, 9:29 am
Please share if you do! I’m curious to hear how it turns out
Kansas Bonanno December 6, 2017, 2:40 pm
I’m sure this taste better then your typical candy corn, and it looks like its super fun to make. Thanks for sharing.
serena December 8, 2017, 9:23 am
Thanks!
Krystal Butherus December 6, 2017, 2:49 pm
When I read the title, I thought, a recipe including popcorn for the reindeer. Then I saw it was for homemade reindeer corn, like Halloween candy corn! So inventive!
serena December 8, 2017, 9:30 am
Thanks so much!
Kristina December 6, 2017, 10:22 pm
Love candy corn so I know I’d love this for sure! I’d love this in my life to eat around the holidays with my kids!!
serena December 8, 2017, 9:31 am
It’s definitely a great snack for the holidays. Enjoy 🙂
Keki Cannon December 7, 2017, 5:00 am
great holiday hostess gift for those you love candy corn. I am not a huge fan but know some peeps who are.
serena December 8, 2017, 9:32 am
Yes, you are correct it makes a great gift
Jessica Joachim December 7, 2017, 6:53 am
What a cute idea! I never would have thought to make a candy corn with a christmas theme! I love it and need to try this out
serena December 8, 2017, 9:32 am
Thanks so much! Give it a try 🙂
kimberly lewis December 7, 2017, 8:50 am
Oh man, you made homemade reindeer corn? look at you go! I might have to make me a batch.
serena December 8, 2017, 9:33 am
Enjoy 🙂
AnnMarie John December 7, 2017, 9:21 am
This is definitely an upgraded version of the very popular candy corn! I love the colors and it’s not that difficult to make! I wouldn’t mind making this and having the kids help out too!
serena December 8, 2017, 9:33 am
Fun for the kids. Maybe a wee bit messy for them depending on age, but definitely fun 🙂
Jalisa December 7, 2017, 10:33 am
I love candy corn. I would love these. Definitely something I would try making.
serena December 8, 2017, 9:24 am
Thanks so much
Rachel December 8, 2017, 12:31 pm
My daughter is looking over my shoulder as I read this, and she is very excited about the pictures of Christmas candy. It looks like we will be making it!
serena December 10, 2017, 2:47 pm
Ha Ha! Love it! Enjoy 🙂
Lisa December 8, 2017, 4:56 pm
I love this! It’s like Christmas candy corn!!! It would be a great treat for the holiday season!! I am going to save the recipe so that I can make some with my kids.
serena December 10, 2017, 2:46 pm
Enjoy!
TColeman December 10, 2017, 2:37 pm
We love candy corn at Halloween time so this would be a huge hit! My kids would love to make some of this.
serena December 10, 2017, 2:46 pm
We are also big candy corn fans so it just seemed like a great way to extend it for another month 🙂
Krystle Cook December 10, 2017, 2:37 pm
This is such a cute idea. I have never seen anything like this around this time of year.
serena December 10, 2017, 2:44 pm
Thanks so much. I usually make them around halloween, but figured why not just change the colors for Christmas