Homemade Holiday Lollipops

Ingredients

Condiments
- 2/3 Cuplight corn syrup

Desserts
- 1 Candy thermometer
- 1 Lollipop sticks
- 1 Sprinkles or candy, Assorted

Other
- 2 Cupssugar
- 2 Teaspoonsflavored extract, such as mint or vanilla (optional; see kelly's notes

Time
Prepare: 10M
Cook: 7M

Found on justataste.com

Description

What better gift to give this holiday season than one that can be eaten? Of course the traditional fruitcake has its place among the festivities. And in my opinion, that place happens to be nowhere. Fruitcake aficionados, please do disagree with me. But while I’m all for efficiency, I’ve never understood the allure of a confection that does double duty as a paperweight-slash-doorstop. That’s why I turn to classic homemade candy as the ultimate edible gift for giving or receiving. These crystal clear lollipops are made with just two ingredients, leaving the door wide open for customization when it comes to the colorful add-ins. I’ve opted for seasonal sprinkles, but you could also decorate them with crushed candy canes, chopped nuts or dried cranberries. And don’t forget to stir in your favorite flavorings, such as cherry or strawberry extract. Are you ready to give the gift of good taste this season? Tie together a bundle of these easy-to-make homemade lollipops, or opt for individually-wrapped Salted Caramels, Hot Chocolate Stir Sticks or a tin of Chocolate-Dipped Brown Sugar Shortbread. And if you’re hesitant to enter the world of homemade candy and caramelized sugar, have no fear! You can tune in to my video below for a tutorial on how to turn two ingredients into these festive sweets on a stick. Craving more? Sign up for the Just a Taste newsletter for a fresh serving of content delivered every week to your inbox! And stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for all of the latest updates.

Directions

Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper of Silpat baking mats. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. Set aside. Combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Attach the candy thermometer to the interior of the saucepan. Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the mix to a boil, stirring until the sugar has disolved. Using a small pastry brush dipped in water, wash down the sides of the saucepan to prevent crystals from forming. Boil the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes until it reaches 310ºF (hard-crack stage) on the candy thermometer. Immediately transfer the saucepan to the bowl of ice water, carefully submerging the sides but ensuring no water seeps into it. Swirl the pan for 10 to 15 seconds to help the mixture cool then remove the saucepan from the bowl of ice water. If youre using an extract, carefully swirl it into the mixture immediately after you remove the saucepan from the ice bath. Working quickly, pour the syrup onto the baking sheets to form circles that are 2 to 3 inches in diameter. (Space the lollipops 3 to 4 inches apart to guarantee they dont run into each other.) Immediately press in the lollipop sticks and sprinkle the lollipops with your sprinkles or candy, lightly pressing the garnishes into the syrup. Let cool completely until fully hardened then carefully peel the lollipops off the baking sheet. Kellys Notes: Opt for an extract that is clear in color in order to maintain the crystal clear color of the lollipops. Its much easier to cleanly pour the syrup onto the baking sheet if you use a saucepan with a pour spot. Work quickly as soon as you remove the syrup from the stove, as itll harden very quickly. If the syrup gets too hard, re-warm it over medium heat until it softens slightly.

Prepare: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 MINUTES

justataste.com

578 17 2017-06-25 17:17:27

Title:	Homemade Holiday Lollipops Recipe
Descrition:	These crystal clear lollipops are made with just two ingredients, leaving the door wide open for customization when it comes to the colorful add-ins.

Homemade Holiday Lollipops