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Effortless Honeycomb Candy

Featured in: Sweet Treats for Every Occasion

If you’ve never seen Effortless Honeycomb Candy being made, it feels like a bit of magic. You grab basic pantry staples and end up with a sunny, crunchy treat full of tiny air holes. First, you melt sugar with a swirl of honey and a splash of corn syrup for more stability. Then, adding baking soda is the fun part—it puffs the caramel right up and fills it with bubbles. As it cools, those bubbles turn crispy and you get that shattery honeycomb look. It’s a sweet snack that’s awesome on its own, but you can also break it up for ice cream, toss it on cakes, or even dunk it in chocolate for something special. Just five ingredients and a couple of minutes and you’re good to go.
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By Chloe Chloe
Updated on Mon, 19 May 2025 16:45:39 GMT
Crispy chunks of golden honeycomb dripping with honey. Pin it
Crispy chunks of golden honeycomb dripping with honey. | cookitdelish.com

Southern honeycomb candy is a super easy treat you can whip up at home. It’s got a shatteringly light crunch and a golden, sweet flavor. All you need are a handful of everyday ingredients. Eat it for fun by itself, dunk it in chocolate, or smash it on top of ice cream. These little bites are perfect to hand out during the holidays, for snacking, or whenever you’re craving something sweet without much fuss.

I got hooked on honeycomb candy after I found it at a neighborhood sweet shop. I wanted to nail that crazy texture at home, so I played around with different mixes until I got the ideal blend of crunchy and sweet. Now, I make it all the time for Christmas, birthdays, or just when dessert needs a little sparkle.

Irresistible Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons baking soda (sifted): This is what makes the candy puff up with all those holes
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup: Keeps the whole thing smooth so it doesn’t get gritty
  • 1 cup granulated sugar: The main part that turns golden and holds everything together
  • 1/4 cup water: Makes the sugar melt right and caramelize even
  • 1/4 cup honey: Brings a little flowery, sweet kick to the party

Must-Have Gear

  • Parchment paper or silicone mat: Keeps the candy from glueing itself to your baking sheet and saves you a cleanup headache
  • Baking sheet: Where you let the candy chill and harden
  • Whisk: Helps puff the candy up light and airy
  • Candy thermometer: Tells you exactly when to stop heating, no guessing
  • Heavy-bottomed saucepan: Distributes heat nice and even so nothing burns

Dreamy Honeycomb Candy

Pour and Chill:
Right after the bubbly mixture forms, quickly dump it onto your lined tray and let it spread by itself. Wait until it’s fully cool before breaking it up.
Mix in Baking Soda:
Soon as it hits 300°F, get it off the heat, toss in the baking soda, and whisk fast. It’ll fizz and foam big time—don’t stop stirring until it’s fluffy.
Heat to 300°F (Hard Crack):
Bump the heat and let it bubble without stirring. Keep your thermometer handy—when it hits 300°F (or 150°C), you’re good.
Make the Syrup:
In your saucepan, blend sugar, corn syrup, honey, and water. Keep stirring gently over medium warmth until it all melts together.
Line Your Tray:
Prep before anything else. Lay down parchment or a silicone sheet over your pan so you’re set up when it’s time to pour.
A stack of honeycomb with honey oozing out. Pin it
A stack of honeycomb with honey oozing out. | cookitdelish.com

This candy always takes me back to cooking with my folks, watching in awe as regular stuff turned into big, golden puffs. Friends and family are always wowed, and honestly, smacking the candy into pieces is half the fun.

Fun Ways To Serve

Chomp honeycomb by the chunk, or dip it in melted chocolate to get fancy. Sprinkle smashed bits on ice cream, or decorate cakes for extra crunch. If you really want to treat yourself, try drizzling caramel or even a little peanut butter over the pieces.

Flavor Swaps

Use maple syrup instead of honey for deep, earthy vibes. A pinch of flaky sea salt on top before it hardens totally elevates it. Stir a little cinnamon or espresso powder into the syrup for something totally different but still awesome.

Storing Your Candy

Pop it into an airtight container and keep it dry, right on the counter, for up to two weeks. Humid air will make it sticky, so don’t keep it in the fridge. Fridge moisture can totally ruin that perfect crunch.

A stack of honeycomb on wax paper. Pin it
A stack of honeycomb on wax paper. | cookitdelish.com

Southern honeycomb candy is all about that moment when sugar changes into something light, crispy, and just plain fun. Whether you eat it straight, dip it in chocolate, or smash it up on your favorite dessert, it’s always a treat. The best part is seeing that sugar foam up and turn golden. If you love sweets, you’ve gotta give this a try.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why did my honeycomb get sticky or fall flat?
Usually, it’s because of too much moisture in the air. Try making it on a dry day, stash it in a super tight container with a little moisture absorber packet. If your town is super humid, a splash more corn syrup can help keep it together.
→ How should I store honeycomb so it lasts?
Effortless Honeycomb Candy holds up for about a week or two if you keep it in a sealed container, somewhere cool and dry. Pop in a desiccant pack for even longer crunch.
→ Can you skip corn syrup when making honeycomb?
You sure can. Try using golden syrup or just add a bit more honey. The corn syrup stops sugar crystals from forming, but these swaps work fine too.
→ Why do folks always say 'sift the baking soda'?
It helps get rid of any clumps and makes sure the soda blends in smoothly so the bubbles are nice and even throughout your honeycomb.
→ Easiest way to break apart honeycomb?
When it’s totally cooled off, snap it up with your hands or give it a gentle tap with a knife’s handle. For straight-edge pieces, use a sharp knife right before it sets up hard.

Effortless Honeycomb Candy

Golden and crispy, Effortless Honeycomb Candy gets its signature light bubbles from baking soda mixing with caramelized sugar and a touch of honey flavor.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes
By Chloe: Chloe

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: British

Yield: 8 Servings (1 pound of crunchy candy)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1/4 cup water
02 1 cup white sugar
03 2 teaspoons sifted baking soda
04 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
05 1/4 cup honey

Instructions

Step 01

Grab a flat baking tray and line it with either a silicone mat or parchment paper. This will stop the sticky candy from making a mess when you pour it out. Check that your tray is level so the honeycomb spreads evenly.

Step 02

Mix together the sugar, honey, water, and corn syrup in a sturdy, roomy pan. Heat it over medium while gently stirring with a wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula until the mixture looks smooth and all the sugar is dissolved. Avoid letting the mixture splash on the sides of the pan.

Step 03

Turn the heat up to medium-high and attach a candy thermometer to the side of your pan. Leave it alone — no stirring now — and let it bubble away until it reaches exactly 300°F (150°C). This is the 'hard crack' stage and it'll take around 5-7 minutes. You'll notice the color shifting to a pale golden shade as it gets closer.

Step 04

The moment your thermometer reads 300°F, pull the pan off the burner. Add the baking soda all at once and quickly whisk like crazy. Watch as it foams up and turns a lovely golden hue. The reaction infuses lots of tiny bubbles that give honeycomb its signature crunchy, airy texture.

Step 05

Pour the frothy candy mixture onto your prepped tray right away. Let it settle on its own without spreading — this keeps the delicate bubbles intact. Leave it at room temperature to fully cool and harden. This usually takes 30-45 minutes. You'll know it's ready when it feels solid and makes a slight knocking sound when tapped.

Step 06

When the candy is completely set, snap it into jagged pieces using your hands or the base of a utensil. Store in a sealed container, layering the pieces with parchment paper to keep them from sticking to one another. For a fun upgrade, dip chunks into melted chocolate or sprinkle flaky sea salt on top!

Notes

  1. Light and crispy, this airy honeycomb melts on your tongue with a sweet caramel-like flavor.
  2. Switch out the honey for maple syrup to mix it up or add a dash of vanilla extract with the baking soda for extra flavor.
  3. Humidity can ruin honeycomb! Seal it tightly and munch on it within 2-3 days to keep its signature crunch.

Tools You'll Need

  • Sturdy pan with a heavy base
  • Thermometer for candy
  • Whisk or handheld beater
  • Flat baking tray
  • Non-stick mat or parchment

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 125
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: ~