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Sweet coal (Carbón dulce) is a typical Christmas candy that visually resembles coal. It is black and rocky in appearance, not very hard in consistency and dark gray in color. It has a high sugar content. It is usually given on January 6th to children who have behaved moderately well during the year, based on the Spanish tradition according to which well-behaved children are given toys and sweets by the Three Wise Men, while those who have behaved badly are brought coal as a punishment by the figure of a charcoal burner, woodcutter, or man from the mountains.

Over the years this candy appeared as an alternative to natural coal, to avoid the cruelty of giving a child a dirty piece of coal. It is even customary to give sweet coal to children who have behaved well or to those who have misbehaved, as a reminder or warning of what could happen if they do not behave as they should during the following year. The difference between a child receiving sweet coal or natural coal can also be made based on whether their behavior has been intermediate (regular) or downright bad.

Recipe
Sweet charcoal is made from a sugar and water glaze that is colored with black dye. This is made into a kind of foam that, when cooled, resembles coal.

The first step is to prepare the glaze: 80% powdered sugar and 20% water are combined until fully mixed. Color will be added to obtain its traditional appearance.

Next, a syrup is prepared with water and granulated sugar which is heated until it reaches the point of soft caramel, at approximately 128 °C. When this is achieved, it is removed from the heat and the glaze prepared previously is added. Continuing to stir in circles, the mixture will take on a sponge-like texture and rise in the form of foam. After letting it cool, the sweet is ready to eat.