Today’s Spotlight is on Candy Canes.

A candy cane is a cane-shaped stick candy often associated with Christmastide, as well as Saint Nicholas Day. It is traditionally white with red stripes and flavored with peppermint, but they also come in a variety of other flavors and colors.

Candy canes are a traditional Christmas candy in the United States. They’re often used as decorations for Christmas trees. Candy canes are made from syrup and sugar with oil added in to it for flavoring.

 

History

The first candy canes were made in 1670 by the choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany. They were a gift to the children attending the Christmas Nativity pageant. The choirmaster bent the candy sticks into canes to represent the shepherd’s crook.

“Legend has it that the candy cane dates back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the Living Creche ceremony,” Schildhaus says. “In honor of the occasion, he bent the candies into shepherds’ crooks.”

The first candy cane was not made in the shape of a cane. It was white, completely straight and only flavored with sugar.

 

Here are some fun facts about candy canes:

• The first documented recipe for red and white striped candy canes was in 1844.
• The first candy canes were sold in America in 1847.
• The first candy canes were straight and white.
• The first candy canes were given to children to keep them quiet during church services.
• The first candy canes were hung on Christmas trees in 1882.
• The world’s largest candy cane was 51 feet long.
• More than 1.76 billion candy canes are made each year.
• National Candy Cane Day is celebrated on December 26 in the United States.
• 90% of candy canes are sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

 

Here is a homemade Candy Cane Recipe for you to try:

ingredients For Homemade Candy Canes

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1 tsp. peppermint extract
• 1 tsp. red food coloring

 

Instructions:

1. In a heavy-bottomed large saucepan or small pot, combine the first 4 ingredients and stir until sugar dissolves. Cook, without stirring to hard-ball stage. (265 degrees.)
2. Remove from heat and add peppermint extract. Divide into 2 portions and add coloring to one part. Pour out onto buttered cookie sheets. (Pour half onto one sheet, then add coloring to the rest and then pour onto second sheet.) when it’s cool enough to handle, start pulling each part separately. (Best done with 2 people, but if doing alone, go back and forth pulling each.)
3. When you feel like you just can’t pull anymore, form into ropes and twist them together. Cut into 8″ lengths, form into the shape of candy canes, and place on lightly buttered platter til fully hardened.
4. Enjoy!

 

Consumption

More than 1.76 billion candy canes are made each year. 90% of them are sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Candy canes are a significant part of the $1.4 billion Christmas candy market. They’re one of the most iconic holiday treats.

Bryan, Ohio is known as the “Dum Dum Capitol of the World”. Spangler Candy Company is the second largest employer in Bryan and produces 45% of the candy canes sold in the United States. They also produce over 12 million Dum Dums per day.

 

Celebrating Candy Canes

National Candy Cane Day is celebrated on December 26th every year. It’s a day to celebrate the red and white striped candies that are abundant during the holidays.

National Candy Cane Day is celebrated the day after Christmas. It’s an excuse to extend the holiday season a little bit longer and use up all of those candy canes that are laying around the house.

Let us know in the comments if you are ready to make homemade candy canes?