Candy Pencils and Pens

Have you ever sat in a class, wishing you had something to nibble on while your teacher boringly continued his/her lecture, and leaving you in peace with your snack? Then this is the instructable for you! The teacher won't think twice after seeing you suck the end of your pencil. But what he/she won't know is that you are actually sucking on some delicious candy!

Step 1: Getting the Ingredients

YOU WILL NEED:

A few pencils and pens (I used 10 with some candy to spare)
Play-Doh, modeling clay, or something to hold the pencils as the candy dries
Candy thermometer (optional)
8x10 inch (20x25 cm) baking pan lined with wax paper
Buttered knife

1/2 pound sugar (250 grams or a cup of sugar)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of water
a good pinch of cream of tartar
a few drops of favoring and coloring of your choice

Step 2: Making the Candy

Put the sugar and water in a pan over low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved
Raise the heat . When the syrup is almost boiling, add the cream of tartar, and insert a warmed candy thermometer (if using).
Boil WITHOUT stirring until the syrup is 250 degrees Fahrenheit (about 120 degrees Celsius). If not using the thermometer, boil the mixture until a little bit of the syrup dropped into cold water forms a hard ball which will hold its shape, but is still somewhat pliable.
After reaching the aforementioned stage, remove from the heat and add flavoring and coloring. Do not over stir and BE VERY CAREFUL, as the mixture is very hot.

Step 3: Covering the Pens an Pencils

5. Pour the mixture into the lined baking pan. The edges of the mixture will cool more quickly than the center, so as the mixture cools, turn the edges inward with a buttered knife but DO NOT STIR.

6. Working quickly: lay two thirds of a pencil (not the point end) on top of the mixture. Using the buttered knife, lift up the candy and gently wrap it around the pencil. You can make all sorts of shapes before it hardens.

7. When the candy is almost set, stand your pencil end in the Play-Doh. Try not to put your fingers on the candy coating, as you will leave your fingerprints behind.

8. Repeat step 6 and 7 with the other pencils.

NOTE: Do not double the recipe to make more, make several batches instead, because the candy hardens too quickly to make to many pencils.

Step 4: ENJOY!

Now that you have made these candy coated writing utensils, your class or job will be a little bit more bearable. From the left over mixture, I made some scrumptious lollipops, to give to friends. I give special thanks to the instructable: "Classic hard candy chews" by jen7714 for giving me the inspiration for such a project.