If you prefer to make free-form hard candy without molds, there are several simple techniques you can use.

Score and Break Method

• Pour the hot sugar syrup mixture onto a greased cookie sheet or other heat-resistant surface.
• Let it cool slightly, then use a sharp knife to score the surface into a checkerboard pattern.
• Once hard candy is fully cooled, break the candy along the lines into square pieces.

Cut with Oiled Scissors

• Allow hard candy to cool just enough to handle.
• Use well-oiled scissors to snip the candy into bite-sized pieces while it’s still pliable.

Use Powdered Sugar for Cushion-Cutting

• Pour the hot sugar syrup mixture onto a cookie sheet coated with a layer of powdered sugar.
• Once the candy begins to firm, cut it with oiled scissors into small pieces.

Bonus: Why Use Powdered Sugar?

• Powedered sugar helps keep the candy warm and pliable longer.
• It cushions the candy as you cut, creating pillow-like pieces instead of flat ones.

LorAnn offers several types of hard candy molds, including:

• Silicone molds
• Hard plastic molds
• Hard plastic two-piece molds
• Plastic sheet molds

Not recommended: Avoid using flexible rubber molds (typically used for cream cheese or butter mints) and clear plastic chocolate or soap molds. These are not heat-safe and may melt or warp when exposed to high temperatures.

Preparing Your Molds For Use

• Hand wash in warm, soapy water and dry thoroughly.
• Lightly spray mold cavities with cooking spray (we recommend PAM).
• If too much cooking spray accumulates, wipe out the cavities with a paper towel.

Using Sucker Molds

• Insert sucker sticks into the mold so they extend about halfway into the cavity.
• Carefully pour the hot candy mixture into the mold.
• Let the hard candy cool and harden completely at room temperature—do not refrigerate.
• Once fully hardened, the suckers should release easily from the mold.
  

Using Two-Piece Molds

• Prepare both pieces as above (wash, dry, and lightly spray).
• Attach the two halves using the clips provided.
• Pour the candy mixture into the assembled mold.
• Once filled, insert the sucker sticks.