Makes A lot! (dependent on cutting size)
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons agar agar
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 3 cups sugar, white
- 1/2 teaspoon candy flavouring oil
- 1/2 teaspoon citric acid
- Gel food coloring, to personal preference
Method
- Prepare an 8-x 8-inch square pan with smooth sides by spraying lightly with cooking spray
- In a medium pan, stir to combine the agar agar and water. Let sit for 5 minutes
- Bring the agar agar mixture to a boil over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until it has completely dissolved and the mixture thickens. This should take between 2 to 3 minutes
- Add the sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until it has completely dissolved and the mixture is thick and syrupy, about 3 minutes
- Remove the pan from the heat. Add the candy flavoring, citric acid and stir to combine
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Add a few drops of food coloring to your personal preference and swirl throughout the mixture using a skewer or chopstick. Refrigerate for 1 hour
- After this time your agar agar mixture should be quite firm and set. If it isn’t refrigerate for another 15 minutes. Run a thin knife or offset spatula around the edges of the pan. Flip the pan over onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, or counter-top. then tap to dislodge the jelly. If the jelly is stubborn, cut it into chunks and remove those from the pan instead
- Use a sharp paring knife to cut the jelly into crystal shapes, trimming as desired. The jelly will be firm but sticky. You can also tear the jelly to form jagged edges
- Now here comes the hard part! Set the shaped jelly shapes on to clean parchment paper and leave in a cool area, free from or with low humidity. Leave the jellies for about 7 days, rotating morning and evening to ensure even drying. Over this time you’ll notice the candy pieces will form a hard out crust.
- After this time you can eat the candy crystals as is, or you can decorate them with edible glitter or paint, to enhance their “geode crystal” look.
- The candies can be kept in an air-tight container for up to a further two weeks to enjoy them at their best
Crumbs In My Beard 