Minecraft Party Favors

Candy Gems make perfect Minecraft party favors for all themes but especially for Minecraft themed parties. They are shiny and so pretty! Here is the recipe we used and tips for making your own colorful, flavoured candy gems. This recipe is for adults to make. Due to the high temperature required to make these candy gems, children should not help make these candy gems. This recipe is simple, but must be followed closely for best results. Take time to read through our tips, we have some very important ones for success and safety! For future reference, print our Candy Gem Recipe.

Ingredients

2 cups granulated white sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup water
Food Coloring
Candy Flavor Oils (optional but recommended)

Materials

Candy Molds
Candy Thermometer
Pam Baking Spray
Large Pot
Foil
Parchment Paper (Costco has a reasonable price for a 2 pack)
Large Mixing Spoon
4 cup Pyrex Measuring Cup (needs to be heat resistant to over 300 degrees
Dram Droppers for flavoring (we used only a little flavoring for each batch)
Airtight containers for storage or small food grade bags for immediate use

Steps

Test your thermometer for accuracy by boiling water (212 degrees F). If your thermometer is a few degrees higher or lower, simply adjust for the difference when you reach the 300 degree mark. We used a digital thermometer but recommend Therm Pro Clip on Candy Thermometer.
Prepare everything before you start because timing is essential for success. Lay out a large piece of foil. Spray your candy molds lightly but thoroughly and line them up on the piece of foil.
Place foil next on either side of your stove for easier clean up. Place your large glass Pyrex measuring cup to the right along with your food colors and flavorings.
On your right lay out your spoon and base of your digital thermometer if using one. If you have a clip on Candy Thermometer, attach it now to the pot at the height where it will be touching the candy syrup.
Mix all ingredients in your pot except the coloring and flavoring oil.
Turn your stove on high and do not leave unattended. Do not constantly stir, the first time we did that, it caused the syrup to rise almost to the top of the 5 quart pot.
When the mixture first starts to boil, the temperature will rise quickly to 212 degrees and rise slowly after. Please note that stove temperatures varies, our mixture hit 225 degrees after 5 minutes, and about 275 at 12 minutes.
When it reaches approximately 275, we added our coloring. With coloring gels I used a long skewer and dipped it in the candy syrup carefully and mixed until color was completely blended in.
Do not exceed 300 degrees. We set the timer for 295 degrees. Turn the heat off at 295. When it hits 300, carefully pour the syrup into the Pyrex glass.
Add your flavoring and stir thoroughly.
Work quickly but carefully pour the syrup into the molds. It will pour very thin and fast the first few minutes and noticeably thicker and slower the second mold. Fill until full but try not to overfill. By the third mold, the syrup was thick and hard to control.
We poured the remainder onto foil once it became too thick to control but if you have some silicone molds you could pour it into there and make larger pieces of candy. Reheating in the microwave did not give good results although you may be able to save more of the syrup. We did not try making a smaller batch.
Let cool. Wash hands and turn the mold over, most will fall out onto the foil but a few may need a little prying.

Let the candies cool for 5-10 minutes and simply turn over and gently press the back. Most will simply fall out of the mold. (See the video below)
The candies will have a slippery feel, this will help keep them from sticking to each other. You can lightly dust it with powdered sugar to remove this but it will also make it more opaque.
If you are making a second batch, you do not need to respray the molds with cooking spray.

Important Tips and Suggestions

Do not exceed 300 degrees.
Candy Flavor Oils (optional but recommended) We used the LorAnn Brand linked here and you can choose your flavors. They are tiny bottles but a drop gives a lot of flavor so you can use them for other candy projects, frosting, baking and to make flavored sodas with the Soda Stream or Thirsti. There are over 50 flavors to choose from.
Use Pyrex or other glass container with handle and pouring spout
Do NOT try to break or scrape off solidified candy in pot, on spoons or in Pyrex. It is sharp like glass, let it dissolve in hot soapy water.
Do not use plastic lollipop molds, the candy is too hot and it can melt the mold.
Do NOT let children pour or mix the hot syrup. This is to be made by adults only.
This is not difficult but takes time and patience. The most difficult part was holding the heavy 4 cup Pyrex and pouring a thin steady stream of syrup into the molds.
The molds that were easiest to fill were the "break apart" molds with each cavity right next to each other however, if you overfill you will have to try to break the pieces apart which often lead to shattering or uneven edges.

Minecraft Gems

These gems are perfect for a Minecraft party favors for a Minecraft themed party. We found small food grade bags and printed labels. We made Gold, Ruby, Emerald Lapis Lazuli and Diamond. We used these flavors: Lemon: Gold, Strawberry: Ruby, Cotton Candy for Emerald, Blueberry for Lapis Lazuli and peppermint for Diamond. We made labels for each flavor. It wa a big hit!