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–+ servings

Red Hot Cinnamon Pickles

Sweet, spicy, and crisp, these get their bold color and flavor from red hot candies and cinnamon sticks. A nostalgic treat for the holidays or anytime you want a unique pickle to share. Makes 5-6 pints.
Prep Time:45 minutes
Cook Time:3 hours
resting time:3 days
Total Time:4 days

Equipment

  • 1 large crockpot or food-safe container
  • 1 large stockpot
  • 1 colander/strainer
  • 1 water bath canner with rack
  • 5-6 pint jars with lids and rings

Ingredients

Soaking

  • 16 cups pickling cucumbers, peeled and chopped
  • ⅔ cup pickling lime
  • 1 gallon water

Syrup

  • 2 cups white vinegar (5% acidity), divided
  • 1 teaspoon alum optional, for crispness
  • 5 ¼ cups sugar
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 12 ounces red hot cinnamon candies
  • 5 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

Day 1

  • Dissolve pickling lime in 1 gallon of water in a large crock. Add cucumbers and soak 24 hours.

Day 2

  • Drain and rinse cucumbers 3–4 times. Cover with ice water and let sit 3–4 hours, then drain.
  • Simmer cucumbers in 1/2 cup vinegar, alum, and enough water to cover for 2 hours. Drain well.
  • In a stockpot, combine remaining vinegar, sugar, 1 1/2 cups water, red hot candies, and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil and pour over cucumbers. Let sit 24 hours.

Day 3

  • Drain syrup, reheat to boiling, and pour back over cucumbers. Let sit 24 hours.

Day 4

  • Heat pickles and syrup to 190°F (do not boil). Pack hot pickles into sterilized pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove bubbles, wipe rims, and seal with lids and rings.
  • Process jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes (adjust for altitude). Cool 12–24 hours, then check seals before storing.

Notes

For best flavor, let jars rest at least 2 weeks before opening. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place up to 12–18 months. Refrigerate after opening and use within 4–6 weeks.
Nutrition facts are for ¼ of a jar, including all the syrup, so will be less in actuality :).

Nutrition

Calories: 1058kcal | Carbohydrates: 276g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.002g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 266g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Servings: 5 pints
Calories: 1058kcal
Author: Katie Shaw