Here’s How to Make Lollipops…
I don’t know about you but boiling sugar is intimidating to me. Something about candy making makes me a little apprehensive.
Perhaps it’s because I didn’t do a lot of candy-making growing up; or perhaps it’s because burned sugar smells and tastes horrendous.
For whatever reason, learning to make homemade lollipops was a bit of a stretch for me, but it turned out to be a whole lot easier than I had anticipated.
In fact, making these homemade lollipops was so easy, I’ve made multiple batches since.
It all started when my daughter wanted a, “Just Add Magic Birthday Party“.
In the TV series, Just Add Magic, one of my favorite recipes the girls make are the Lay Waste Lunar Lollipops.
I knew I wanted to feature the lollipops on the party table, but didn’t know where I could find lollipops that looked homemade.
After searching the internet for too long, the only lollipops that I could find that were similar to what was made on the show were very expensive. They were over $2.00 each on Etsy!
My frugality got to me and I decided I would learn how to make homemade lollipops since I knew they would only cost a few cents each. I’m glad I did.
Making these saved money and they turned out to be a fun activity to do with my daughter.
These homemade lollipops only require four ingredients that are fairly common. I would think most bakers have most of the ingredients on hand.
Not only do they require few ingredients, they are very easy and quick to make, here’s how…
Supply List for Easy to Make Homemade Lollipops
lollipop mold and/or cookie sheet topped with a silicone baking mat– I used both. The cookie sheet is for the large lollipops and the mold is for the smaller ones.
candy thermometer that takes correct temperatures
silicone spatula or a wooden spoon
silicone pastry brush or regular pastry brush will work too
optional- lollipop treat bags/wrappers and ties
Ingredients for Easy to Make Homemade Lollipops
1/4 C water
1 C sugar
1/2 C corn syrup (I used light corn syrup)
1 1/4 teaspoon flavoring/extract— Hobbyland cotton candy, vanilla, and root beer flavorings were used.
2 drops food coloring (optional)
baking sprinkles as desired (optional)
How to Make Homemade Lollipops
First put sugar, corn syrup, and water into a good-quality saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula (something that can handle over 310 degrees F of heat).
Turn on stove top to high heat and continue to stir until the mixture begins to boil. Note- It is wise to stir slowly and gently as to avoid splashing sugar on the walls of the saucepan.
Place candy thermometer into the saucepan and stop stirring.
Using a pastry brush and water, dip the brush into water and wipe any sugar that has splashed on the sides of the saucepan. This will prevent that sugar from burning.
Once the candy thermometer reads hard crack or 302 degrees F, remove the pan from the heat.
Allow the sugar to cool to 275 F.
While the sugar cools, prep your lollipop molds by spraying a little non-stick cooking spray into the mold and then use a paper towel to dab it out.
Slightly dust the silicone mat with non stick cooking spray and wipe any large spots away, leaving a very light coat on the mat. This light coat will allow the suckers to come out/off easier and avoid breaking.
Once the sugar cools to 275 F, drop 2 drops of food coloring (optional) in the saucepan and flavor it by pouring 1 1/4 teaspoon of flavor extract in—stirring thoroughly.
I’d recommend using Hobby Land flavoring, the ones I have used from this company (root beer and cotton candy) have been wonderful tasting.
Working quickly, pour the melted sugar into the molds and onto the baking mat in a circle.
Go back and using a utensil (to avoid burning your fingers), fix any spills before the drips have fully cooled.
If you’d like to add baking sprinkles, do so now, before the sugar cools and hardens.
Allow 20-30 minutes to cool completely. Pry the suckers very carefully off of the silicone mat and simply pop them out of the silicone molds.
You can wrap them nicely or display them in a sugar-filled mason jar, sucker stands, or cups.
That’s it.
I hope you enjoyed learning how to make lollipops.
How to Make Lollipops
An easy recipe to make homemade lollipops. I made these for my daughter's, Just Add Magic, party and they were a huge hit with the kids!
Ingredients
- 1/4 C water
- 1 C sugar
- 1/2 C corn syrup (I used light)
- 1 1/4 teaspoon flavoring/extract— Hobbyland cotton candy and root beer flavorings were used.
- 2 drops food coloring (optional)
- baking sprinkles as desired (optional)
Instructions
- First put sugar, corn syrup, and water into a good-quality saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula (something that can handle over 310 degrees F of heat).
- Turn on stove top to high heat and continue to stir until the mixture begins to boil. Note- It is wise to stir slowly and gently as to avoid splashing sugar on the walls of the saucepan.
- Place candy thermometer into the saucepan and stop stirring.
- Using a pastry brush and water, dip the brush into water and wipe any sugar that has splashed on the sides of the saucepan. This will prevent that sugar from burning.
- Once the candy thermometer reads hard crack or 302 degrees F, remove the pan from the heat.
- Allow the sugar to cool to 275 F.
- While the sugar cools, prep your lollipop molds by spraying a little non-stick cooking spray into the mold and then use a paper towel to dab it out.
Slightly dust the silicone mat with non stick cooking spray and wipe any large spots away, leaving a very light coat on the mat. This light coat will allow the suckers to come out/off easier and avoid breaking. - Once the sugar cools to 275 F, drop 2 drops of food coloring (optional) in the saucepan and flavor it by pouring 1 1/4 teaspoon of flavor extract in—stirring thoroughly.
I'd recommend using Hobby Land flavoring, the ones I have used from this company (root beer and cotton candy) have been wonderful tasting. - Working quickly, pour the melted sugar into the molds and on to the baking mat in a circle.
- Go back and using the a utensil (to avoid burning your fingers), fix any spills before the drips have fully cooled.
- If you'd like to add baking sprinkles, do so now, before the sugar cools and hardens.
- Allow 20-30 minutes to cool completely. Pry the suckers very carefully off of the silicone mat and simply pop them out of the silicone molds.
- You can wrap them nicely or display them in a sugar-filled mason jar, sucker stands, or cups.
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