2025 Candy Cane Class Review: A Sweet, Sticky Experience

The air, you know, it hits you right away with this incredibly warm, sugary smell that just screams holidays. I walked into the 2025 Candy Cane Making Class, and honestly, it felt like stepping inside a gingerbread house. It’s almost a little overwhelming at first, in a really good way. We were looking for something different to do this year, you know, an activity with a bit of that old-fashioned charm, and this really seemed to fit. This whole write-up is basically my way of telling you what it was like, from the sticky fingers to the surprisingly big candy cane I got to take home. So, if you’re curious about trying your hand at making this iconic Christmas sweet, I’m here to give you the real story. Read our full review: [Candy Cane Making Class 2025 Full Review and Details]

Stepping into a Sugar Wonderland

So, the place itself was just so charming. It had these big wooden tables, and copper pots were pretty much everywhere, looking very authentic. The instructors, anyway, they were super friendly from the second we came in the door, making everyone feel relaxed. They started by, as a matter of fact, telling us a little bit about the history of candy canes, which was actually quite interesting. It’s a story that, you know, has a lot of little twists and turns. We weren’t just standing around listening for too long, of course. Pretty quickly, we were all given these aprons and sort of assigned a spot at a long, heated table that was, I mean, the main stage for our sugar-working adventure.

The group size was, more or less, perfect. There were maybe a dozen of us, so it felt lively but not at all crowded, you know? It’s apparently a mix of families, some couples on a date, and even a few people who came by themselves. The mood was just, like, really upbeat. The guides were extremely clear with their directions, always with a smile. They showed us these huge batches of what looked like molten lava, which was, you know, actually the sugar base for our candy. It was pretty hot, so they were really serious about safety, explaining how we would handle it without getting burned. You kind of got the sense that these people truly loved their jobs, and that sort of happy feeling was definitely contagious.

The Art of Pulling and Stretching

Now, this is where things get, you know, really hands-on. The instructor plopped this massive, warm, almost glowing blob of sugar onto the table in front of each pair of us. It was seriously warm, like a giant hand warmer, but not hot enough to hurt. We had to wear special gloves, of course. Our first job was just to start pulling it. You hook it over this big metal hook on the wall, pull, fold, and then do it again, and again, and so on. Frankly, it’s a bit of a workout for your arms. The whole point of all this pulling, as I was saying, is to get air into the sugar. This is actually what turns it from a clear, golden goo into the bright white color we know from candy canes.

It’s a really amazing process to watch. The sugar’s texture just completely changes in your hands, going from something smooth and soft to a substance that is a bit more satiny and firm.

I mean, I felt pretty clumsy at first. My partner and I were laughing a lot as our blob of sugar sort of kept drooping. The instructors, however, were always nearby to help out. They’d just pop over, give a quick tug with us, and get our technique right. You really have to keep the sugar moving; if you stop for too long, it starts to get hard in one spot. It’s this very engaging rhythm, you know, a bit like kneading dough but with a totally different feel. This was definitely my favorite part of the whole candy cane making class experience; it was just so interactive and different from anything I’ve ever done before.

Creating Those Famous Stripes

Alright, so once our main blob of sugar was a perfect pearly white, it was time for the color. The guides brought out smaller lumps of hot sugar, one of which was a deep, vibrant red. They showed us how to add the peppermint flavor, which smelled absolutely amazing, by the way. Our main task, in that case, was to take a small piece of our white sugar and work the red sugar into it. This part was sort of like playing with a very warm, sugary modeling clay. We had to roll out these thin, red ropes of candy. Meanwhile, the big white lump we’d worked so hard on was kept warm on the heated table.

Next came the really clever bit. We took our red ropes and, you know, carefully laid them along the length of our big white sugar log. The instructor showed us exactly how to space them to get that classic candy cane look. It’s surprisingly precise work, in a way. You have to be gentle so the colors don’t just smoosh together. It was so satisfying to see the plain white log suddenly look like it was ready to become a real candy cane. Everyone in the class was really focused during this stage. You could honestly see the concentration on people’s faces as they placed their stripes just right. It’s almost like everyone’s inner artist came out for a little bit.

The Final Twist and Take-Home Treasures

So, with our stripes in place, the last step was the twist. This part, honestly, happens very quickly. The instructor grabs one end of the log, and you grab the other, and you both start rolling it in your hands while gently pulling it apart. The log gets longer and thinner, and the stripes, you know, they twist into that perfect spiral pattern. It’s literally magical to see. Once it reached the right thickness, about like a finger, the guide used these big, serious-looking scissors to snip it into cane-length pieces. The sound is this really crisp ‘tink’ as the sugar breaks. It’s incredibly satisfying, you know?

Then, while the sugar was still just a little bit pliable, we had to quickly bend the top over to make that signature hook shape. You have to act fast before it cools completely and hardens. In the end, I had this giant, gorgeous, and slightly wobbly-looking candy cane that I had actually made myself. And not just one! We each left with a big bag filled with the candy canes we produced, probably about five or six good-sized ones each, plus a bunch of broken, delicious little bits. The sense of achievement was, like, totally real. You walk out with this amazing-smelling bag of treats you created from scratch. It’s just a great feeling, to be honest. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Reserve Your Spot in the Candy Cane Class]).

Is This Class Right for You?

Okay, so let’s talk about who would love this experience. If you enjoy hands-on activities and aren’t afraid to get a little bit sticky, then you will absolutely have a good time. It’s pretty much perfect for families with older kids, I’d say maybe ages 10 and up. Little kids might struggle with the hot sugar and the strength needed for pulling, you know? It’s also an incredibly fun date idea. You have to work together as a team to pull the sugar, so it’s a great bonding activity. You kind of get to be playful and create something sweet together. For a solo person, it’s also a solid choice; the instructors pair you up, so it’s a very friendly and social environment.

Now, as for what you need to know before you go. You will be standing for a good couple of hours, so definitely wear comfortable shoes. The sugar is, as a matter of fact, very warm, but the process felt extremely safe the whole time; the instructors are right there. You don’t need any previous cooking or candy-making experience at all. I mean, I have virtually zero, and I managed just fine. At the end of the day, it’s less about creating a perfect, store-bought candy cane and more about the fun of the process. It’s the experience of smelling the peppermint, feeling the warm sugar in your hands, and laughing as you try to twist a giant hook. The value is definitely in the memory you make, and you get to eat the evidence, which is always a plus, right?

What We Learned

The whole experience was just so much more than making a piece of candy. It was a peek into an old craft, a physical activity, and a creative outlet all rolled into one. It’s pretty amazing how just sugar, water, and some flavoring can be transformed with a bit of heat and a lot of pulling. We left with sticky fingers, a bag full of candy, and a genuinely big smile. It was an excellent way to spend an afternoon and get into the holiday spirit in a way that felt real and engaging.

• You really get involved: This is a completely hands-on activity where you actually pull, flavor, and shape your own candy canes from scratch.
• The smell is amazing: Seriously, the whole place smells like peppermint and warm sugar, which is half the fun.
• It’s a bit of a workout: Pulling the sugar takes a little bit of arm strength, but in a fun, not-too-strenuous way.
• Great for pairs: It’s a fantastic activity for couples or friends, as you team up to handle the big log of sugar.
• You take home a lot of candy: Be prepared to leave with a bag full of the treats you just made.