Easter is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by making some hard shell candy Easter eggs? These colorful treats are not only fun to make, but they’re also delicious and perfect for sharing with family and friends. In this blog post, we’ll share with you two different recipes for hard shell candy Easter eggs that are sure to be a hit with everyone.
Recipe 1: Classic Hard Shell Candy Easter Eggs
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- Food coloring
- 1/2 tsp. flavoring (such as vanilla or mint)
- Plastic Easter egg molds
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it starts boiling, stop stirring and let it cook until it reaches the hard crack stage (300°F on a candy thermometer).
- Remove the pan from heat and add food coloring and flavoring. Stir well.
- Grease the plastic Easter egg molds with cooking spray. Spoon the hot candy mixture into the molds, filling them to the top.
- Let the candy cool and harden completely, then carefully remove the eggs from the molds.
- Your hard shell candy Easter eggs are ready to serve or wrap in colorful cellophane bags to give as gifts.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1 egg
Calories: 60
Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Protein: 0g
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Equipment:
- Medium saucepan
- Candy thermometer
- Plastic Easter egg molds
Serving Suggestions:
These hard shell candy Easter eggs make a great addition to any Easter basket or dessert table. They’re also perfect for decorating Easter cupcakes or cakes.
Variations:
You can add different flavors and colors to the candy mixture to create a variety of hard shell candy Easter eggs. Some popular flavorings include peppermint, lemon, and orange.
Substitutions:
You can substitute corn syrup with honey or maple syrup if you prefer, but the texture and taste of the candy may be slightly different.
Storage:
Store your hard shell candy Easter eggs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Tips:
- Be careful when handling the hot candy mixture, as it can cause severe burns.
- To clean the plastic Easter egg molds, soak them in warm soapy water and use a soft brush to remove any leftover candy.
- If the candy mixture starts to harden before you’re done filling the molds, simply reheat it over low heat until it’s liquid again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use silicone molds instead of plastic Easter egg molds?
A: Yes, you can use silicone molds, but make sure they’re heat-resistant and food-safe.
Q: Can I freeze hard shell candy Easter eggs?
A: It’s not recommended to freeze hard shell candy Easter eggs, as they may become sticky and lose their texture.
Recipe 2: Chocolate Hard Shell Candy Easter Eggs
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- Food coloring
- 1/2 tsp. flavoring (such as vanilla or almond)
- Plastic Easter egg molds
Instructions:
- Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a double boiler or microwave, stirring frequently.
- Add food coloring and flavoring to the melted chocolate mixture. Stir well.
- Grease the plastic Easter egg molds with cooking spray. Spoon the chocolate mixture into the molds, filling them to the top.
- Let the chocolate cool and harden completely, then carefully remove the eggs from the molds.
- Your chocolate hard shell candy Easter eggs are ready to serve or wrap in colorful cellophane bags to give as gifts.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1 egg
Calories: 90
Fat: 7g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: 1g
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Equipment:
- Double boiler or microwave
- Plastic Easter egg molds
Serving Suggestions:
These chocolate hard shell candy Easter eggs are perfect for chocolate lovers. Serve them with a glass of cold milk or use them to decorate Easter cupcakes or cakes.
Variations:
You can add different flavorings to the chocolate mixture, such as peppermint or caramel, to create a variety of chocolate hard shell candy Easter eggs.
Substitutions:
You can substitute coconut oil with butter or margarine if you prefer, but the texture and taste of the chocolate may be slightly different.
Storage:
Store your chocolate hard shell candy Easter eggs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Tips:
- Make sure the plastic Easter egg molds are completely dry before filling them with the chocolate mixture, as any water droplets can cause the chocolate to seize.
- If the chocolate mixture starts to harden before you’re done filling the molds, simply reheat it over low heat until it’s liquid again.
- You can also add chopped nuts, dried fruits, or sprinkles to the chocolate mixture for added texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use white chocolate instead of dark chocolate?
A: Yes, you can use any type of chocolate you like, but make sure to adjust the amount of coconut oil accordingly.
Q: Can I use regular oil instead of coconut oil?
A: It’s not recommended to use regular oil, as it may not harden properly and can affect the texture of the chocolate.
Conclusion
Hard shell candy Easter eggs are a fun and delicious treat that everyone will love. Whether you prefer classic or chocolate flavors, these recipes are easy to make and perfect for sharing with family and friends. So why not try making your own hard shell candy Easter eggs this year? We guarantee they’ll be a hit!