Ready to make your childhood dreams come true? This Kool-Aid Popping Candy Licorice is bright, bold, and bursting with fruity flavor—and it literally pops in your mouth! Think sweet licorice ropes soaked in a tangy Kool-Aid syrup, then rolled in sparkly sugar and popping candy. Yup. This treat is as fun to make as it is to eat.
Whether you’re throwing a party, putting together a candy board, or just feeling nostalgic for your favorite corner-store goodies, this recipe brings that sweet ’90s joy right into your kitchen. It’s colorful. It’s fizzy. It’s a flavor bomb. And trust me, it’ll make you smile like a kid again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and interactive—perfect for parties or kids
- Customizable with different Kool-Aid flavors
- Sweet, tangy, fizzy, and crunchy all in one bite
- A creative twist on store-bought licorice
- Edible glitter? Yes please. Instant candy magic.
Ingredients
For the Licorice Coating
- 1 pack red or white licorice strings (like Twizzlers Pull ‘n’ Peel)
- 1 packet Kool-Aid (any flavor – cherry, blue raspberry, or tropical punch)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
For the Candy Coating
- 1 pack popping candy (like Pop Rocks, flavor to match or contrast the Kool-Aid)
- ¼ cup edible glitter (optional, but highly encouraged for sparkle!)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Kool-Aid Syrup
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, Kool-Aid powder, and corn syrup. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until everything dissolves. Let the mixture simmer for about 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Step 2: Prep the Licorice
Separate your licorice strings and lay them out on a tray lined with parchment paper. You can cut them in half if you want shorter, bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Dip & Soak
Dip each licorice string into the cooled Kool-Aid syrup, letting it soak for a few seconds to soak up that fruity goodness. Place them back on the parchment to slightly dry—about 5–10 minutes.
Step 4: Add the Pop & Sparkle
Mix the popping candy with edible glitter in a shallow dish. While the licorice is still tacky but not wet, roll each piece in the popping candy mixture to coat.
Step 5: Set & Serve
Let the coated licorice dry for another 10–15 minutes so the candy sets. Then, go ahead and take a bite—you’ll get chewy, tangy, fizzy, sparkly magic in every mouthful!
Tips for Candy-Making Success
- Work quickly with the popping candy—it dissolves fast if exposed to moisture
- Want more crunch? Add crushed sour candy to the coating mix!
- For extra sparkle, roll in edible glitter before the popping candy
- Store leftovers in an airtight container with parchment between layers to keep them from sticking
FAQs
Can I use regular licorice ropes instead of pull-apart ones?
Totally! Just make sure they’re thin enough to soak up the syrup.
What if I don’t have edible glitter?
No worries! The popping candy alone brings plenty of fun. But if you do have glitter… sprinkle generously.
How long do these last?
They’re best enjoyed within 24 hours for max pop. Store them airtight in a cool, dry place.
Conclusion
This Kool-Aid Popping Candy Licorice is pure joy in edible form—fruity, fizzy, sparkly, and just the right amount of crazy. Whether you’re making treats for a birthday bash, a candy-themed sleepover, or just because the world needs more fun, these little guys bring the energy and the flavor.
So go on, get sticky, get sparkly, and get ready to pop off. Your inner child (and your tastebuds) will thank you.
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Kool-Aid Popping Candy Licorice
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Kool-Aid Popping Candy Licorice is a fun, fizzy, and fruity candy makeover that turns ordinary licorice into a sweet-and-sour, sparkly sensation! Coated in Kool-Aid syrup, rolled in sugar and popping candy, and optionally dusted with edible glitter, it’s a wild treat perfect for parties, kids’ snacks, or edible crafts.
Ingredients
- 1 pack red or white licorice strings (like Twizzlers Pull ‘n’ Peel)
- 1 packet Kool-Aid (any flavor – cherry, blue raspberry, or tropical punch)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- 1 pack popping candy (like Pop Rocks, matching or contrasting Kool-Aid flavor)
- 1/4 cup edible glitter (optional, for extra sparkle)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and Kool-Aid packet. Stir until sugar dissolves completely and mixture forms a syrup. Let cool slightly.
- Dip each licorice string into the Kool-Aid syrup, coating evenly. Let the excess drip off.
- Roll the syrup-coated licorice in popping candy and edible glitter (if using). Press gently to help it stick.
- Lay licorice on a parchment-lined tray and let sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes to set.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 days to preserve the popping effect.
Notes
- Work quickly when applying popping candy—moisture can cause it to lose its fizz.
- Use different Kool-Aid and Pop Rocks flavors to mix up the color and taste combos.
- Best enjoyed the day it’s made for the strongest pop and flavor!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 string
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg