Candy making can be a really fun way to spend time with your kids, or just a fun thing to do on your own. I like to make stuff for other people, and who wouldn't want homemade candy? From lolly pops to pop corn balls, making candy at home is easy to do. All you need are a few basic items and some information.
As far as equipment, all you really need is a candy thermometer. There is a way to tell what stage the sugar has been cooked to (the cold water test), but it's not as accurate and it takes a little experience to know what to look for. Also, you need a good sized pot to cook in. The sugar can easily double in volume when it gets up in the higher temperatures.
One thing to keep in mind is to make sure that everything is clean: contaminates are bad for candy. If your recipe says to mix sugar and water, add the sugar to the water so sugar won't hit the sides of the pot, and make sure to get any sugar crystals that do end up there back in the pot by brushing water down the sides.
These are the basics, as I see them. Anything else should be in your recipe, but you can find some other really good tips here. There are also some recipes if you'd like to have a go at making your own candy!
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