Lifesavers are a classic hard candy that are fun to make and enjoy. They have a nostalgic flavor and are perfect for gifts, parties, or just snacking on your own. Making lifesavers at home is easy to do with just a few ingredients and some simple steps. In this article, we will walk through everything you need to know to make perfect homemade lifesavers!
What Are Lifesavers?
Lifesavers are ring-shaped mints that are made out of sugar. The most iconic flavors are the fruity ones like cherry, lime, orange, and lemon. Lifesavers were first created in 1912 and were meant to be summer candies that could withstand heat better than chocolate bars. The ring shape and name lifesavers come from the idea that the mints could be used as flotation devices, although they are not actually designed for this purpose.
Lifesavers have a hard outer shell and soft, chewy middle. They are made by pressing flavored sugar syrup into molds and letting them set. This gives them their signature texture. Lifesavers are fun to eat, letting you break through the hard outer shell to reach the sweet center. They are great for snacking and sharing or using to decorate desserts. Recreating these classic candies at home is easy and fun.
Lifesaver Ingredients
Only a few simple ingredients are needed to make lifesavers at home:
Sugar
The main ingredient is granulated white sugar. You can use regular table sugar. The sugar helps form the hard shell and gives the candies their sweetness.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is used to prevent crystallization so the candies stay smooth. Light or dark corn syrup will both work.
Water
Water helps dissolve the sugar and corn syrup to make the syrup.
Flavor extracts
Any extracts you want can be used to flavor the lifesavers. Popular options are cherry, lemon, lime, orange, and grape.
Food coloring
Optional food coloring can be added to tint the candies. Red, yellow, green, and orange work well for fruity flavors.
Citric acid
A small amount of citric acid can be used to add tartness. This helps enhance fruit flavors.
Equipment Needed
You don’t need any fancy equipment to make homemade lifesavers. Here is what you’ll need:
Saucepan
A medium-sized saucepan is needed to cook the sugar syrup.
Candy thermometer
A thermometer allows you to monitor the temperature of the syrup. This ensures it reaches the right stage before molding.
Silicone lifesaver molds
Silicone molds make perfectly shaped lifesavers. The flexible molds make it easy to remove the candies after setting.
Cooking spray
Spraying the molds prevents sticking.
Mixing spoon
A heat-resistant spoon is needed to stir the syrup as it cooks.
Cooling rack
Setting the molds on a rack allows air circulation for even cooling.
Basic kitchen tools like these allow you to recreate lifesavers at home with ease.
Lifesaver Candy Recipe
This homemade lifesaver recipe makes approximately 50 candies, depending on the size of your molds. It uses simple ingredients for classic fruity lifesaver flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp cherry extract (or other flavor)
- Red food coloring
- 1/8 tsp citric acid (optional)
Instructions:
- Spray lifesaver molds with cooking spray. This prevents sticking.
- In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, stop stirring. Clip on a candy thermometer. Cook until the syrup reaches 300°F (150°C). This takes around 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Carefully stir in the cherry extract, food coloring, and citric acid if using. Mix until fully combined.
- Working quickly, pour the syrup into the prepared molds. Let sit until completely set, about 1 hour.
- Carefully pop the lifesavers out of the molds. Enjoy!
Tips:
– Adding 1-2 drops of food coloring makes brightly colored candies.
– Letting the tray of molds sit overnight ensures the candies are completely set.
– Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
This basic method can be used to create all sorts of flavors. Switch up the extract and food coloring to make orange, lime, grape, or other fruit varieties.
Step-by-Step Lifesaver Making Instructions
Now that you know the basic ingredients and recipe, let’s go through the process step-by-step:
1. Prepare the Molds
Start by spraying your silicone lifesaver molds with cooking spray. Make sure to coat the entire mold cavity where your candy will set. This prevents the sugary syrup from sticking to the mold.
Set your molds aside on a baking sheet or tray. Having them ready to fill will make the process smoother once your syrup is ready.
2. Make the Sugar Syrup
In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Making sure the sugar is dissolved before cooking prevents burning.
Turn the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil while frequently stirring. Once it reaches a rolling boil, stop stirring.
Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Uninterrupted boiling allows the temperature to rise. Cook until the syrup reaches exactly 300°F (150°C). This is called the hard crack stage.
3. Flavor and Color
Immediately remove the sugar syrup from the heat once it reaches 300°F. Carefully stir in the flavor extract and any food coloring, citric acid, or other flavorings you are using.
Stir thoroughly to fully incorporate the flavor. Work quickly during this step to prevent premature hardening.
4. Fill the Molds
Once flavored, immediately and carefully pour the syrup into your prepared molds. Fill each cavity fully to the top.
Depending on the number of molds you have, you may need to work in batches. Reheat the syrup if needed but do not allow it to boil again.
5. Cool Completely
Set the filled molds aside undisturbed to cool and harden, about 1 hour. Placing them on a cooling rack helps air circulation.
Do not try to rush the cooling process. If disturbed too soon, the candies may break or stick in the molds.
6. Unmold the Lifesavers
Once completely set, pop the lifesavers out of the molds. Silicone molds should release easily. If needed, gently flex the mold to loosen.
At this point, you can enjoy your homemade lifesavers! Store them in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Tips for Making Perfect Lifesavers
Follow these helpful tips for candy-making success:
Use a thermometer
Reaching the right temperature is crucial when working with sugar. Using a thermometer eliminates guessing and ensures your syrup cooks to the hard crack stage. This gives the candies their signature crunch.
Work quickly
Once the syrup is hot, work swiftly while flavoring and filling the molds. If the syrup starts to thicken or set up, gently reheat to restore a pourable consistency. But do not let it boil again.
Avoid moisture
Any moisture can make the sugar syrup crystallize or the set candies sticky. Make sure ingredients are dry and equipment is completely clean.
Let cool completely
It may be tempting to unmold the candies early but don’t do it. Letting them completely cool and set prevents breakage and deformities. Have patience for perfect lifesavers.
Use corn syrup
Adding corn syrup to the recipe prevents sugar crystallization for smooth, glass-like candies. Table sugar alone would make them gritty.
Store in an airtight container
For longest shelf life, store finished lifesavers in an airtight plastic container or zip top bag. This prevents moisture absorption.
Troubleshooting Homemade Lifesavers
Most candy-making issues can be prevented by closely following the recipe instructions. But if you run into trouble, here are some tips:
Syrup crystallizes
Sugar crystals in the syrup make gritty candies. Prevent this by completely dissolving the sugar when first heating and using corn syrup in the recipe. Or, add a bit of water and reheat gently to dissolve crystals.
Syrup won’t reach hard crack stage
Cooking to exactly 300°F gives the proper texture. Make sure to use a thermometer and avoid stirring once boiling. This allows the temperature to climb.
Lifesavers stick in molds
Greasing the molds before pouring prevents sticking issues. If they do stick, flex the molds to pop them out or let them sit longer to finish hardening.
Lifesavers come out cloudy
This is from moisture exposure. Make sure equipment is dry and ingredients are stored properly. Cool candies in a dry area with airflow.
Lifesavers crumble or break
Letting candies fully set before removing from molds prevents breakage. Store in an airtight container so they don’t reabsorb moisture and soften over time.
With a little care and patience, troubleshooting candy making is easy. Referring to the recipe and following each step carefully will ensure homemade lifesaver success!
Fun Flavor Variations
The basic lifesaver recipe can be customized with many flavor options. Here are some delicious ideas:
Fruit flavors:
- Orange – Use orange extract and orange food coloring
- Lemon – Use lemon extract and yellow food coloring
- Lime – Use lime extract and green food coloring
- Grape – Use grape extract and purple food coloring
- Strawberry – Use strawberry extract and red food coloring
Other flavors:
- Cinnamon – Use cinnamon extract
- Peppermint – Use peppermint extract and red/white food coloring
- Vanilla – Use vanilla extract
- Root beer – Use root beer extract and brown food coloring
- Cotton candy – Use cotton candy extract and pink food coloring
Mix and match different extracts, food colorings, and flavorings to create your own unique lifesaver flavors. Get creative and have fun with it!
Make Lifesaver Lollipops
For a whimsical twist, turn your homemade lifesavers into lollipops! It only takes a couple extra steps:
- Prepare lifesaver candy using the basic recipe and mold into rings as directed.
- Unwrap lollipop sticks. Once lifesavers are fully set, insert a stick into the center hole of each candy.
- Use a thin brush to “glue” the stick in place with some melted chocolate or candy coating. Let set.
- Decorate with sprinkles or drizzle with more melted chocolate if desired.
The possibilities are endless when mounted on lollipop sticks! Come up with fun flavors like birthday cake, apple pie, s’mores and more. These whimsical candies make great party favors, gifts, or edible decor.
Gifting Homemade Lifesavers
These nostalgic candies make wonderful homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, party favors, stocking stuffers, and more. Here are some great ways to package them up:
- Tie in bundles with colorful ribbon
- Fill clear cellophane treat bags or food safe plastic containers
- Arrange in glass jars or candy tins
- Attach a bow or gift tag with twine or string
- Wrap individual candies in small pieces of cellophane or plastic wrap
- Place in cupcake liners or miniature muffin cups
Get creative with your packaging and come up with fun and festive ways to gift your homemade lifesavers. Handmade candies show you care!
Decorating with Lifesavers
These brightly colored candies aren’t just for eating! Homemade or store-bought lifesavers can be used to creatively decorate cupcakes, cookies, cakes, doughnuts, ice cream and more.
- Press lifesavers into cupcakes or the top of frosted cakes for edible polka dots
- Line the edges of cakes or cookies to create a colorful border
- Crush and sprinkle over ice cream, pudding cups or brownies
- Thread onto lollipop sticks for fruity swirls
- Stack rings into towers for height and dimension
- Use to write letters or spell out words
Have fun decorating desserts with lifesavers arranged into patterns and designs. Kids especially will love these playful toppers.
Conclusion
Homemade lifesavers are a nostalgic and fun candy-making adventure. With just sugar, corn syrup, flavorings and a simple recipe, you can recreate these classic candies in your kitchen. Use silicone molds to shape the signature rings, taking care to heat the syrup properly and fully set before enjoying. Package up your lifesavers as gifts or use them to decorate cakes, cupcakes and other treats for a whimsical, colorful touch. So grab your candy thermometer and start cooking – bringing the sweet fun of lifesavers to life at home!