Edinburgh Rock

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Medium

A pulled sugar candy left to dry until powdery and brittle, with a delicate pastel color and flavor, unlike hard seaside rock. Makes 24 sticks in about 48 hr 50 min.

Prep 30 min

Cook 20 min

Cooling 48 hr

Total 48 hr 50 min

Yield 24 sticks

Diet Gluten free, Vegan

Ingredients

Adjust yield

sticks

2 ¼ cups (450 g)granulated sugar
½ cup (120 ml)water
¾ tsp (2.5 g)cream of tartar
½ tsp (2 ml)peppermint extract, or lemon extract
¼ tsp (1 ml)green food coloring, a drop or two
¼ cup (30 g)powdered sugar, for pulling and dusting

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Instructions

Oil a marble slab or large baking sheet and a pair of scissors. Dissolve the sugar in the water over medium heat.
Stir in the cream of tartar just before the syrup boils. Boil without stirring to 250 F (121 C), when a drop in cold water forms a hard lump.
Take off the heat, stir in the flavor and color, and pour onto the slab.
When cool enough to handle (comfortably warm), dust with powdered sugar and pull the mass out and fold it back repeatedly, without twisting, until it turns dull, opaque and pale.
Pull into a rope about 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) thick and cut into 6-inch (15 cm) lengths with the oiled scissors.
Dust with powdered sugar and leave uncovered in a warm, dry room for 2 days until powdery and soft-brittle.
Store in an airtight tin.

Tips

Wear food-safe gloves dusted with powdered sugar when pulling.
Do not stir the syrup after the cream of tartar goes in.
Do not twist as you pull or the rock turns glossy and hard.
Hot sugar syrup reaches 250 F (121 C) and causes severe burns; keep children away.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make edinburgh rock?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 48 hours to chill. The recipe makes 24 sticks.

How should I store edinburgh rock?

Airtight tin in a cool dry place up to 1 month.

Can I make edinburgh rock ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes, as written. Check that packaged ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles and plant butter are labeled vegan.

Edinburgh rock is a soft, crumbly Scottish sugar confection said to have been first made in the 19th century by Alexander Ferguson, known as Sweetie Sandy. Serve it with tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 24 servings this recipe makes.

77 Calories / serving

0.0g Fat

20.0g Carbs

0.0g Protein

20.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (24 servings): ~1848 cal · 0g fat · 480g carbs · 0g protein · 480g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.