Why does my hard candy turn to sugar?

by Myrna Stall
(McDermott, Ohio USA)

I am trying to make toffee candy but when my mixture gets to 300 degrees and I spread it on a cookie sheet it turns to sugar...

Help!

Hi Myrna,

Are you making hard candy or toffee? By that I mean "toffee candy" as a mixture of sugar and butter or "hard candy" as a mixture of sugar and corn syrup?

There are different conditions that can cause the candy to fail. Here are some of the most common faults:

humidity
thermometer off
stirring too much
stirring too fast
sugar crystallization

If it IS toffee you are making, here are a few tips I gave to another visitor who was having trouble with her homemade toffee getting gritty.

Here are some other tips on toffee making as well. You may find them helpful, too.

Let me know if you get it sorted out.
Blessings,
Angie