Yesterday we shared the details of our dessert table for our Winter Wonderland party and we debuted these snowflake homemade lollipops.
They are so yummy and very simple to make.
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Quick Glance
- You only need 5 basic ingredients: sugar, light corn syrup, water, extract, and food coloring.
- The candy must reach 300°F (the hard crack stage) for lollipops that set firm and clear.
- Greasing your molds before pouring is a non-negotiable step, or you will never get them out cleanly.
- The Wilton Snowflake Mold gives you that intricate detail without any special candy-making skills.
- Let the candy fully cool and harden before removing from the mold. Rushing this step cracks them.
- You can swap in almost any extract flavor to match your party theme or personal preference.
Snowflake Homemade Lollipops Recipe:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup of sugar
– ½ cup of light corn syrup
– ¼ cup of water
– 1-1/2 tsp extract of your choice
– Food coloring
– Lollipop mold – ours is the Wilton Snowflake Mold
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Directions:
Step 1: Grease the inside of your molds with shortening or cooking spray. Lay mold over a sheet of wax paper or a cookie pan. Insert lollipop sticks.
Step 2: Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Raise temperature to medium high heat and let boil without stirring until mixture reaches 300 degrees (hard crack stage)..
Step 3: Remove from heat and allow mixture to sit until it stops bubbling. Add in extract and food coloring.
Step 4: Spoon or pour mixture into molds and let sit. Make sure the back of the stick is covered.
Step 5: Let harden and cool completely before removing from molds.
Things to Know
- Homemade lollipops are typically made from a cooked sugar syrup containing ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, water, flavoring, and food coloring.
- Sugar syrup must reach the hard-crack stage, around 300°F to 310°F, to create the firm, glass-like texture expected from hard candy.
- A reliable candy thermometer is important because small temperature differences can affect whether the finished lollipops become hard, sticky, or brittle.
- Candy molds should be designed for high-temperature candy making, since hot sugar syrup can damage materials that are not heat resistant.
- Flavor extracts and food coloring are usually added carefully after cooking because some ingredients can react strongly when mixed into extremely hot syrup.
- Humidity can affect homemade hard candy, causing finished lollipops to become sticky as they absorb moisture from the surrounding air.
- Melted sugar can cause severe burns because it reaches very high temperatures and sticks to skin, so careful handling is especially important.
- Finished lollipops should be individually wrapped and stored in a cool, dry place to protect them from moisture and maintain their texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make homemade lollipops without a mold?
You can pour the hot candy onto a greased cookie sheet and press a stick in before it sets, though the shapes will be irregular. Silicone molds are better when you want consistent shapes and a more polished appearance.
How long do these lollipops stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they typically last up to two weeks. Individually wrapping them can help protect the candy from humidity and prevent stickiness.
What is the hard crack stage and why does it matter?
The hard crack stage is when sugar syrup reaches 300°F to 310°F, which produces a brittle, glass-clear candy that holds its shape. A candy thermometer helps ensure the syrup reaches the correct temperature for firm lollipops.
Can I use a different type of mold for this recipe?
Yes, any silicone candy mold designed for hard candy will work with this recipe. Choose molds with spaces for lollipop sticks or insert the sticks carefully before the candy sets.
Why did my lollipops turn out cloudy instead of clear?
Cloudiness usually means the sugar crystallized during cooking, which often happens from stirring after the mixture starts boiling. Avoid stirring once the syrup boils to help maintain a smooth, clear appearance.
These lollipops turned out so gorgeous!! Featured you on my Frozen party food post: http://printabelle.com/fantastic-frozen-party-food-ideas
They look fantastic! Reminds me of all the wonderful and beautiful things about Winter. About how many lollipops would one batch make?