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Sugar glass (also known as glass candy) looks just like glass, except that you can eat it. Not only is it tasty to munch on—you can also use it to decorate cakes and cupcakes, too! This article will show you how to make three different sugar glass recipes, including beautiful sugar sea glass. It will also give you a few ideas on how you can use it to create stained glass candy effects and more!

Ingredients

Basic Sugar Glass[1]

  • 3½ cups (790 grams) white, granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (475 milliliters) water
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) light corn syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

Sugar Sea Glass[2]

  • 2 cups (450 grams) white, granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon candy flavoring
  • Green or blue food coloring (liquid or gel)
  • Powdered/confectioner's sugar


Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making Basic Sugar Glass

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  1. The baking sheet needs to have raised sides, or the melted sugar will slide off. If you don't have cooking spray, wrap the inside of the sheet with tin foil or parchment paper.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    Place the pot on the stove. You must use light corn syrup, or the glass will turn out too dark.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    Don't use high heat. The sugar will boil too quickly if you do, and start to caramelize. Stir the ingredients often so that you don't scorch the bottom of the pot. As the mixture heats up, it'll go from a cloudy color to clear. When it boils, it will start to form foamy bubbles at top.
    • A silicone spatula will make clean up a lot easier than a wooden, plastic, or metal one.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    You can find one in a baking and cooking supply shop, an arts and crafts shop, or in the baking section of a super market. You will need this to get the temperature of your candy.
    • If your candy thermometer does not have a clip, tie it loosely to the handle of the pot with a piece of string.
  5. The candy must reach 300°F (148.89°C). This is known as the "hard crack" phase. If you do not get the candy hot enough, it will not set properly. Your candy will end up sticky no matter how long you let it sit or cool.[3] It will take about an hour for the candy to reach the right temperature.
    • The temperature will stop rising for a moment somewhere between 210 and 240°F (98.89 and 115.56°C). This is because the water is evaporating. Once the water has evaporated, the temperature will begin rising again.
    • Keep the temperature between 300 and 310°F (148.89 and 154.45°C). Do not allow it to reach 320°F (160°C) or your sugar glass will caramelize and turn brown.
    • If you do not have a candy thermometer, test the candy by dropping a tiny amount into a glass of cold water. The candy has reached the "hard crack" phase if it hardens into threads.[4]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    This will minimize any bubbles. The candy will be thick, and spread slowly across the baking sheet.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    This will help the candy spread out evenly so that the finished glass is smooth and not lumpy. Leave the candy to dry for about an hour.
    • Don't move the candy until the full hour has passed. It will be cool to the touch after 45 minutes, but it won't be hardened.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    If you used a cooking spray, flip the baking sheet upside down over a table. The candy should simply fall out. If you used tin foil or parchment paper, pop the candy out of the baking sheet. Then, peel the foil or paper off of the candy. If your candy does not come away easily, do this:
    • Take a knife and heat it up under hot water.
    • Cut along the edge where the glass meets the edge of the pan.
    • Use the knife to carefully loosen the candy from the baking sheet.
    • Flip the baking sheet over, then slowly lift the sheet away from the sugar glass that is resting on your hand.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making Sugar Sea Glass

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    The baking sheet needs to have raised sides, or the melted candy will slide off. If you can't find any cooking spray, wrap the inside of the sheet with tin foil or parchment paper.
    • Sugar sea glass is different from basic sugar glass. It is colored and frosted, just like real sea glass.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    Place the pot on the stove, and stir everything together. Try to use a silicone spatula; it will make cleaning up easier.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    Make sure to stir often, or the bottom of the pot may scorch. The mixture will be a little cloudy at first, but it will eventually turn clear.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    Do not use high heat, or the candy will boil too quickly and caramelize. As the candy boils, it will create foam-like bubbles.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    You will need it to gauge the temperature of your candy. You can get one in a baking or cooking supply shop, an arts and crafts shop, or in the baking department of a well-stocked super market.
    • If your candy thermometer doesn't have a clip, tie it to the handle of the pot with a piece of string. This way, it won't fall into your candy.
  6. 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. It will take about an hour for it to reach this stage.
    • Do not let the temperature to reach 320°F (160°C) or your sugar glass will start to caramelize and turn brown.
    • If you don't have a candy thermometer, drop a small amount into a glass of cold water. If the candy hardens into threads, it has reached the "hard crack" phase.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    You will only need a few drops of food coloring. The more drops you add, the darker your sea glass will be. The color you use is up to you, but most sea glass is green or blue. You can also leave your sea glass clear; it will become more white once you add the powdered sugar. Use only one flavor and color per batch.
    • Consider matching your flavoring to the color. For example, you can use blueberry flavoring for blue sea glass, mint flavoring for green glass, and vanilla flavoring for white/clear glass.
    • You can buy the coloring and flavoring in the baking section of an arts and crafts store. You may also find them in a store that sells baking and cooking supplies.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    The color should be even. There should not be any streaks or swirls. The candy will be translucent. This is normal. You will be making it cloudy in a later step.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    Try to get the entire surface of the baking sheet covered. The candy will be thick and syrupy. It will take about an hour for it to harden.
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    Cover the candy with a towel or dish cloth. Then, use a hammer to shatter it into smaller pieces. Tap the candy in several places with the hammer.
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Make Sugar Glass
    This will give it that frosted look that real sea glass has. You can also fill a plastic sandwich bag with some powdered sugar, add in a piece pieces of candy, and shake it.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Sugar Glass

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  1. Make some sugar sea glass, but do not coat the shards with powdered sugar. Leave them colored, but translucent.
  2. Make some sugar sea glass, but do not coat the shards with powdered sugar. Leave them translucent. Try making the yellow shards the largest, and the red shards the smallest. Coat a cake or cupcake with some buttercream frosting, and stick the shards into the frosting.
    • You will need to make a separate batch of candy for each color.
  3. Crumble the crackers into a fine powder and mix it together with some brown sugar. Spread this on a shallow dish and top it with some sugar sea glass. You can also add some white chocolate sea shells.[5]
    • If you can't find any graham crackers, any thin, cinnamon, honey, or ginger flavored cookies will do.
  4. Frost some cupcakes with white, buttercream frosting. Stick some clear, sugar glass shards into the frosting. Dribble some red gel/writing frosting over the top edges of the sugar glass.
    • This is perfect for a scary Halloween party.
  5. Place your gingerbread house walls on a sheet of parchment paper. Pour the melted candy into the window holes. Wait at one hour for the candy to harden. Gently pry the walls off the parchment paper. The candy will be hardened inside the window holes.[6]
    • Use icing to draw a frame around the window. You can also use icing to draw a # or + over the window to create a lattice.
    • To create a stained glass look: use icing to glue different colored shards of hardened sugar glass behind a window opening.
    • If your gingerbread house does not have window holes: put some square-shaped cookie cutters onto a sheet of parchment paper. Fill them with melted sugar glass. Wait one hour for the candy to harden, then pop it out of the cookie cutter. Use icing to glue the squares to a gingerbread house wall.[7]
  6. Make several batches of sugar glass, each in a different color. Smash them into shards with a hammer. Cover a cake with some buttercream icing, then stick the shards against the sides of the cake.
  7. Choose some clear cellophane bags that match the theme of your party. Fill each one with a few shards of sugar glass. Tie the bag off with a ribbon that matches the bag.
    • Clear white and clear blue sugar glass are perfect for a winter-themed party. You can also include tiny, sugar snowflake sprinkles in the bag as well.
    • Sugar sea glass is perfect for a beach-themed party. Try dropping some chocolate seashells into the bag as well.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What size baking sheet was used in the instructions?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It appears to be an 8" x 8" or 9" x 9" pan. The larger the pan, the thinner the glass.
  • Question
    Why did my glass turn out dark?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Did you use light or dark corn syrup? Dark corn syrup will give you a darker color. The temperature might also have been too high. Cook your candy over medium heat, and don't let it get hotter than 320°F (160°C). The sugar may also have boiled too quickly and caramelized.
  • Question
    Can I use sugar glass for movies?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, sugar glass is used as a breakaway glass in many movies and TV shows.
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Tips

  • If you can't find any candy flavoring, use regular extracts instead, such as vanilla, mint, or lemon. You may need to use more than 1 teaspoon however, as extracts have a less intense flavor.[8]
  • Keep the sugar glass stored in an air-tight container, or it will get sticky.
  • If you want a thicker glass, use a smaller baking sheet. If you want a thinner glass, use a larger baking sheet.
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Warnings

  • Don't let the sugar glass sit in a moist area or direct sun. It will melt or get sticky.
  • Sugar glass can have sharp edges. It is not recommended for very young children.
  • Be careful while pouring out the mixture. It is very hot and can cause burns. Consider wearing gloves or oven mitts when pouring it out.
  • Do not allow the temperature to reach 320°F (160°C). Keep the temperature between 300 and 310°F (148.89 and 154.45°C). If your sugar gets too hot, it will start to caramelize and turn brown.
  • Do not put the candy thermometer into the pot before the mixture starts to boil. If you put it in too early, the sugar will form crystals on the thermometer and make it difficult to clean.[9]
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Things You'll Need

  • Measuring cup
  • Cooking pot
  • Spatula
  • Cooking spray, parchment paper, or tinfoil
  • Baking sheet
  • Candy thermometer


References

  1. Just a Pinch, Broken Glass Cupcakes
  2. Make It Lovely, Edible Sea Glass Recipe
  3. Pam's Party and Practical Tips, Elsa's Ice Candy
  4. Pam's Party and Practical Tips, Elsa's Ice Candy
  5. Make It Lovely, Edible Sea Glass Recipe
  6. The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie, Gingerbread Houses
  7. The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie, Gingerbread Houses
  8. Recipes for Sustenance, Sea Glass Candy
  9. Craftsy, How to Make Homemade Sugar Work

About This Article

Craig Watson
Reviewed by:
Baker
This article was reviewed by Craig Watson. Craig Watson is a Baker, Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Baked Cravings, a nut-free bakery in New York City. With eight years of experience, he specializes in creating high-quality baked goods in a nut-free facility. Baked Cravings has received The Best of Manhattan Award. Craig holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from New Jersey City University and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Wilmington University. This article has been viewed 911,378 times.
49 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 74
Updated: November 22, 2024
Views: 911,378
Article SummaryX

To make sugar glass, start by bringing 3 1/2 cups of sugar, 2 cups of water, 1 cup of light corn syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar to a boil in a pot over medium heat, stirring it continuously so it doesn't burn. Then, once the mixture reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit, take it off the heat and slowly pour it onto a baking sheet lined with foil. Next, leave the baking sheet on a flat surface and let the candy harden for 1 hour. Finally, after an hour, peel the hardened candy off the baking sheet. To learn how to make sugar sea glass, scroll down!

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Reader Success Stories

  • Molly Kaiser

    Molly Kaiser

    Dec 1, 2016

    "I used Method 2 for creating sugar sea glass. This was an awesome recipe to follow! Just broke the first shards of..." more
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