Prep your setup
Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly grease it. Have your cinnamon oil and food coloring ready—this part moves fast!

Cook the syrup
In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Clip on a candy thermometer and stop stirring.

Reach hard crack
Continue cooking until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). Remove from heat immediately.

Add color and flavor
Quickly stir in cinnamon oil and red food coloring. Be careful—fumes can be strong! Pour immediately onto the prepared pan.

Cool and break
Let cool completely, then crack into pieces using a knife or kitchen mallet. Dust with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.

Twists to Try

Orange Cinnamon: Add ½ tsp orange extract along with cinnamon for a citrusy twist

Glitter Effect: Use edible shimmer dust to make it sparkle

Shape It: Pour into silicone candy molds for hearts or stars instead of free-form shards

Less Heat: Use ½ tsp cinnamon oil for a milder version