Why Soften Candy?
Many recipes use hard candies as an ingredient, and often, the candy will need to be softened or even fully melted. Perhaps you want to enjoy eating hard candy but don’t want to risk hurting your teeth. And occasionally, softer candies will harden with oxidation and need rehydration to make them soft enough to eat. Here, we will describe several methods on how to soften candy.
Softening candy is very easy, and there are multiple methods tailored to different candies. Options include using a microwave oven, a stovetop, an oven, or even rehydration for certain types of softer candy. There are also methods to melt hard candies for various preparations fully. Read on to learn which method will work best for the candy you wish to soften or melt.
How to Soften Candy or Melt Candy for Recipes
Method 1 – Soften Candy Using a Microwave
Using a microwave-safe plate, unwrap the desired amount of hard candies and place them on the plate. Microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, although this time may vary based on the wattage of your microwave. Enjoy eating the softened candy as-is, or cut into bits to be used in a recipe.
To completely melt hard candy in the microwave, unwrap the hard candies and crush them in a zip-top bag using a rolling pin. Next, place the crushed hard candies into a microwave-safe bowl, and melt slowly, 10 to 15 seconds at a time. After each interval, stir with a silicone spatula and be careful once it starts to melt as it could bubble up, causing a burn. The melted candy is now ready to use in your recipe.
Method 2 – Stovetop for Hard Candy
The stovetop is the best method to completely melt hard candies because it offers the most control over the melting process. Place the hard candies in a large plastic zip-top bag and crush carefully with a rolling pin. Add the crushed candy to a thick-bottomed saucepan, and heat gently over medium-low heat, occasionally stirring with a silicone spatula or spoon. Remove from the heat once the candy has melted and use as desired in your recipe.
Alternatively, use a double boiler to melt hard candies. Place the crushed candies in the upper portion of the double boiler, and fill the bottom with water to the correct height for your double boiler. Usually, this is around an inch or so of water. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a low simmer, stirring the hard candies with a silicone spatula or spoon until they melt.
Method 3 – Soften Candy Using an Oven
To soften hard candies, preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and place the unwrapped hard candies on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven, checking every minute until the candy reaches the desired level of softness. Enjoy the candies as-in, or cut up into small pieces to use in recipes.
Method 4 – Soft Candies that Have Hardened
Certain soft candies will harden over time when exposed to oxygen, such as saltwater taffy or gummy worms. Rather than throwing them out, these candies can quickly be brought back to their original texture and still enjoyed!
For taffy or similar soft candy, place the unwrapped candies on a microwave-safe plate. Heat the candy in 7 to 10-second intervals until it has just begun to soften. It is best to microwave just the amount of candy you wish to eat, as it may reharden.
For gummy-type candies made with gelatin, submerging them in a bowl of warm water will rehydrate the candies. Next, place the desired amount of candy in a bowl of very warm water, and allow them to sit in the water until it reaches the desired softness. The gummy candy will absorb the water and regain its original texture. To store, allow the candy to dry on a wire drying rack, and then repackage the candy in an airtight container.
For an adult twist while rehydrating gummy candy, add the gummy candies to a bowl with just enough vodka to cover the candy. Cover with plastic wrap and rehydrate for 48 hours. The gummy candy will swell slightly. Allow them to cure on a drying rack and enjoy storing in an airtight container.
FAQ
Can I melt hard candies in the oven?
It is possible to melt hard candies in the oven, but it is not recommended as the candies can burn quickly, and there is less control over the process in the oven. For completely melting hard candies, the stovetop is the most consistent and safe method.
What types of recipes use softened candy?
Softened candies such as caramels can be used in many preparations and recipes! Try adding softened caramels to chocolate chip cookies, brownies, or even rice Krispie treats. If your recipe calls for softened hard candies, choose one of the above methods to prepare the candy.
What types of recipes use melted hard candy?
Try melting hard caramels or hard cinnamon candies for caramel or candy apples. Add melted caramel candy to rich chocolate brownies. Experiment with melted candy additions to your favorite dessert recipes using the stovetop methods provided above.
Why crush hard candies when used in a melted preparation?
Hard candy can take a while to melt completely, so crushing the candy will encourage the candy to melt faster. In addition, using hard candy that has been crushed into smaller pieces will keep the candy from burning or scorching while it is being melted.
Do I need a candy thermometer for soften candy?
While candy thermometers are helpful when making candy from scratch, they are not necessary equipment when softening or melting candy. Instead, they can be more helpful when melting candy on the stovetop to ensure the caramel doesn’t burn or scorch.
What types of hard candies might be best to soften before eating?
While hard candies can be enjoyed without softening, they can hurt or even break teeth if the candies are too hard or accidentally bitten down on before they have softened enough in your mouth. In this case, almost any type of hard candy can be softened using an appropriate method! For example, try microwaving pralines or taffy before enjoying or making caramels less likely to stick to your teeth by softening them up a bit.
Final Thoughts on Softening Candy
Whatever the reason for softening or even melting your chosen hard candy, one of the methods outlined here will be an excellent choice for use in your recipe or for making the candy easier to eat.
