How to Make Sugar Glass Recipe (or Candy Glass) (2024)

I really like the idea of glass you can eat. Not really, but Sugar Glass is pretty cool and you can make some adorable things with it. And seriously, who doesn’t love candy glass sticking out of a cupcake?! Because they DO go together. I seriously have the best recipe for how to make sugar glass.

How to Make Sugar Glass Recipe (or Candy Glass) (1)

Candy Glass or Sugar Glass

Candy Glass is a really cool treat. Not ACTUALLY cool–because it’s like room temperature, unless you’ve had it in the fridge (which you shouldn’t do because it gets sticky…but I digress).

Sugar glass is cool because it can BE so many things.

What is Candy Glass Used For?

Glass candy can be made into decorative pieces for cakes, cupcakes, and doughnuts; it is used during Halloween as a piece of broken glass candy in a Murdered Cupcake with a few drops (ok a lot of drops) of edible fake blood.

Use some to make mirror surfaces or frosting on cakes or cupcakes; it is also used during holidays like Easter to make edible decorations.

Ice from Elsa’s Castle? Yep. Smashed glass for a trick scaring your parents? Yep.

Basically, it’s like the fun tool for Halloween dessert decorating that I never thought I’d be able to make…Frankly, I love it.

Want to See How to Make Sugar Glass?

Check out our YouTube video of how to make sugar glass. And while you’re there, be sure to subscribe so you can catch all of our epic recipe videos!

How to Make Sugar Glass Recipe (or Candy Glass) (2)

Can You Eat Candy Glass?

Absolutely! It’s just a simplified form of lollipop. I’ve even made lollipops with a mold and it works GREAT. The only thing is, you can’t eat it all, because then you won’t have any to decorate your cupcakes. Sad day.

I have gotten asked before if it’s sharp – and while the points CAN be sharp, the edges aren’t. It’s about like eating a lollipop on a stick, so if you bite into it and it leaves an edge, that’s not going to cut your tongue or anything.

But the pointy bits are, obviously, pointy, so maybe don’t hand it to children if you wouldn’t hand them a lollipop.

How to Store Sugar Glass

So, if you shouldn’t put it in the fridge, what can you do to store this awesome edible glass?! I’ve got you there. Not only can you stash it in the freezer in an airtight zipper-top bag or container, you can store it at room temperature in the same airtight facility.

I’ve had a batch of broken glass candy in my freezer in a zipper-top bag for about 4 years now and have not noticed any damage – other than the fact that the kids keep sneaking a bite.

Glass sugar works just like a lollipop, so you can even wrap it in parchment paper to store it – but if it gets wet, it will start to get sticky and melt.

Tips to Make Broken Glass Candy

A few tried-and-true things can really make whipping up a batch of broken glass candy easy.

  • First, having a candy thermometer (paid links) is nice – and I have one. BUT, I found that having one of the handy aim-and-point touchless thermometers you use without putting it into the pot is epic. You can see me use it in the video above – it makes for one less thing to clean!
  • Second, if you have parchment paper, that’s a definite must to line your baking sheet with. The candy ice won’t stick to the parchment paper and you don’t have to do anything to the parchment paper. The cooled candy just slides right off. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can use wax paper and lightly coat it in non-stick cooking spray to keep the candy from sticking.

Variations to Candy Ice

Just as there’s a ton of ways to use candy glass, there’s a ton of ways to make variations. The two primary ways to make your batch of glass candy different are to:

  • Flavor It – As far as flavoring candy glass, to keep from coloring when you’re just trying to flavor it, I recommend using flavoring oils (paid link). Colorless, they are absolutely NOT flavorless. The scent and flavor comes across really well with just a drop or two.
  • Color It – When you’re wanting to color your broken glass candy, you will want to use a gel food coloring (paid link), so that you’re not adding a ton to get a bold color. It only took a few drops of red to make the candy glass in the video above a bright, bright red.

More Halloween Recipes You’ll Love

Speaking of…I totally wrote this Spectacularly Spooky Halloween Recipes book with my friend Stephanie. We worked hard to come up with over 50 recipes that are sure to spook-ify you to your bones, so if you have a minute to check it out…it’s awesome.

How to Make Sugar Glass Recipe (or Candy Glass) (3)

Now, ON TO THE EDIBLE GLASS!

How to Make Sugar Glass Recipe (or Candy Glass) (4)

Alright, so pin this to your favorite dessert recipes board so you can find the recipe for Edible Glasslater.

You know, in case you need it closer to Halloween–or maybe for some fun stained-glass action over the holidays…you know, because broken glass makes so much sense suddenly for Christmas and New Years…LOL!

How to Make Sugar Glass Recipe (or Candy Glass) (5)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sugar glass?

Sugar glass, also known as candy glass, is an edible form of glass made from sugar, water, and corn syrup. It can be used to make decorations for cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. It is also used in film and television production as a safe alternative to real glass.

What ingredients and equipment are needed to make sugar glass?

To make sugar glass, you will need granulated sugar, light corn syrup, water, and a candy thermometer. You will also need a heat-resistant bowl, a wooden spoon, and a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

What is the step-by-step guide to making sugar glass?

To make sugar glass, start by combining the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heat-resistant bowl. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Once the mixture reaches 300°F, remove it from the heat and pour it onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow the sugar glass to cool and harden before using it.

What tips should I keep in mind when making sugar glass?

When making sugar glass, it is important to stir the mixture constantly while it is heating to ensure that it does not burn. It is also important to work quickly once the mixture has reached 300°F, as it will start to harden quickly.

What are some common issues that can arise when making sugar glass?

One of the most common issues that can arise when making sugar glass is that the mixture can burn if it is not stirred constantly while it is heating. Another issue is that the sugar glass can become too hard if it is left to cool for too long in the sauce pan – it is best to pour it immediately into the baking dish before it cools too much.

How can I tell when the sugar glass is ready to use?

The sugar glass is ready to use when it has cooled and hardened. You can test the sugar glass by tapping it with a spoon or knife. If it is hard and does not break, it is ready to use.

How should I store sugar glass?

Sugar glass should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. It can be stored for up to a month.

How To Make Candy Glass

How to Make Sugar Glass Recipe (or Candy Glass) (6)

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes

You can't make a Murdered Cupcake without some Edible Glass and a few drops (ok a lot of drops) of edible fake blood.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated white sugar
  • 3/4 cups of water
  • 2/3 cups light corn syrup
  • flavoring oil, if desired

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan add in the sugar, corn syrup, and water.
  2. Insert the candy thermometer and bring to a boil. Stir constantly until the thermometer reaches 300 degrees.
  3. Once at 300 degrees, remove from heat and transfer immediately to a baking pan (lined with parchment paper).
  4. Allow it to sit until hardened (about 2 hours on the counter or 30 min in the freezer). Make sure to cover it while it sits.
  5. Once hardened lift the pan up and drop straight down to crack the glass. Repeat until you have fragments at a desired size.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 193Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 13mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 0gSugar: 48gProtein: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

And do NOT forget to check out my new book, Spectuacularly Spooky Halloween Recipes–there’s over 50 awesomesauce, creeptacular recipes that you just CAN’T MISS! So, go, click. LOOK…

How to Make Sugar Glass Recipe (or Candy Glass) (7)

Go ahead and take a minute to pin this Sugar Glass to your favorite Pinterest board, so you can get back to it in a jif!

Table of Contents

How to Make Sugar Glass Recipe (or Candy Glass) (2024)

FAQs

How is sugar glass made? ›

Sugar glass is made by dissolving sugar in water and heating it to at least the "hard crack" stage (approx. 150 °C / 300 °F) in the candy making process. Glucose or corn syrup is used to prevent the sugar from recrystallizing and becoming opaque, by disrupting the orderly arrangement of the molecules.

How to make candy glass for movies? ›

Pour the sugar into a small pan on a stove over low heat. Stir continuously until the sugar melts (takes a while). If you have a candy thermometer, remove from heat at the hard crack stage (clear glass). If the sugar is heated just past the hard crack stage it will turn amber (colored translucent glass).

What is glass candy made of? ›

The basic broken glass candy recipe includes sugar, corn syrup, and water, but a variety of flavorings and colors can be added to your liking. Make a rainbow assortment and color coordinate each flavor, with green for apple, red for cherry, yellow for banana, orange for tangerine, blue for blueberry, etc.

Can sugar glass still cut you? ›

While stunt glass made from resin or sugar is pretty safe, it can still hurt a person who isn't trained to perform stunts.

How do you make edible clear cups? ›

First you need about 2 cups of sugar, 8 tablespoons of corn syrup, and one cup of water. Now we'll bring this to 300°F. Now we just want to let this sit until it's fully set. And there you have it.

How to make sugar bowls? ›

Turns out it's not so hard as long as you aren't scared of molten sugar. Melt the sugar with some corn syrup, pour it onto a prepped piece of parchment paper and drop some food color on it and once it's cooled, drape it over a heatproof bowl. Suddenly you have an edible sugar bowl, perfect for any occasion, like St.

Can you make homemade glass? ›

Is Glass Making at Home Even Possible? In a word, yes. But be warned: Transforming sand into glass is an intricate process that requires careful handling of materials and strict adherence to safety precautions. It takes a great deal of knowledge, experience, and access to powerful, often expensive equipment.

Why use cream of tartar in sugar glass? ›

The corn syrup helps prevent the sugar molecules from joining back together and forming large granules (or crystals) as the syrup cools. The cream of tartar helps break the sucrose molecules up even father, into the simple sugars glucose and fructose.

Why do you put cream of tartar in sugar glass? ›

If the sugar gets a crystal in it, it will recrystalize in a flash, the only thing you can do at that point is add more water and start over. The corn syrup (pure fructose) and the cream of tartar (an acid to break down some of the sugar) will help you avoid that messy possibility, but it is still a possibility.

What is the fake sugar glass in movies? ›

The glass looks so real, but believe it or not, Hollywood movie sets rarely use real glass for those scenes. Can you guess what they use instead? If you guessed candy…you're right! Instead of using real glass, which is expensive and difficult to replace for multiple shots, Hollywood movie sets use Sugar Glass!

Why is my sugar glass not hardening? ›

Keep heating and stirring your candy until it reaches 300°F (148.89°C). This is very important. If you don't get your mixture hot enough, it won't harden properly. Your candy will be soft and sticky, no matter how long you let it sit, harden, or cool.

How do you make glass with Jolly Ranchers? ›

It's sea glass you can eat! To make it, crush 1 cup blue hard candies (such as Jolly Rancher) and microwave in 30-second intervals until melted. (Be careful, the molten candy will be super-hot!) Immediately pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and let harden, 15 minutes.

Why is my candy glass yellow? ›

If you heat it too rapidly the mix sugar will caramelize (become yellow and burnt). Depending on the altitude your sugar glass mix should start to boil around 160-200*F. Your mix will start cloudy and white, but as it starts to boil it becomes clear.

What is the difference between sugar glass and real glass? ›

Film glass is made out of Sugar and breaks very easily and would also break in a strong wind too. It's made to shatter and not hurt the actors in a quicker way than real glass that is solid.

How long does sugar glass last? ›

The sugar can be made up ahead of time and stored in a dry place wrapped in cling wrap, but once you use it that piece will start getting cloudy and sticky after a day. Depending what your piece it, it typically will only last a 3 or 4 days before it slumps into a mess.

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