I tried making candy canes tonight....what a mess! I know my candy thermometer is a bit off, so I was checking using the water test....and somehow went from the thread stage right to the soft crack stage. We tried to pull and knead the candy anyways after it had cooled some, and it was hard as a rock! I also added a whole dram of Loranne's oils (cherry) to the mixture and there was absolutely no flavour. You can smell it (still can), but there was just no cherry taste!
Arg. At least my peanut brittle turned out!

Don't feel bad, I have a hard time with candy also. Brittles, I can make all day, fudge on the other hand is my downfall. I must have wasted $30.00 in ingredients trying to get it right. I should stick with the versions that call for the marshmallow cream. Don't give up!! I think I am going to get a new candy thermometer myself. I was watching Alton Brown last night, and he was making different kinds of candies and he recommended a digital thermometer. I think I will have to go get one.

Dont you just love Alton Brown....I love how he goes through different gadgets and tells what he likes and dislikes about them.....

I dont do candy...so I can't offer any words of advice....but hang in there!

you two make me feel so much better! I tried to make Candy Canes,( I was going to give them as gifts) they were a total disaster. I tried to make fudge and it was just horrible, I'm also sticking to the marshmallow fluff fudge recipe that one always works for me

I made fudge on the weekend...the first batch was horrible - it crumbled! That's when I found out that my themometer has to be 2 1/2" into the mixture.
The second batch was delicious!