Hard candy lollipops are one of the foundational recipes of professional candy making and one of the most satisfying to execute at home. Cooking sugar, corn syrup, and water to the hard crack stage and then flavoring and coloring it creates a crystal clear candy that sets into a glass-like shard of pure sweetness. Poured over lollipop sticks and allowed to set, they become the kind of beautiful, jewel-toned confection that looks like it belongs in a specialty candy shop window. The flavor possibilities are endless and the technique, once mastered, opens the door to a whole world of hard candy making.

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon flavoring extract of choice (cherry, watermelon, grape, cinnamon, lemon)
• Gel food coloring of choice
• Lollipop sticks
• Cooking spray

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper sprayed with cooking spray.
2. Lay lollipop sticks on the mat spaced about 3 inches apart.
3. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy saucepan over medium high heat.
4. Stir until sugar dissolves then stop stirring and cook to 300 to 310 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
5. Remove from heat immediately.
6. Let bubbling subside for 30 seconds.
7. Add flavoring and food coloring and stir gently to combine.
8. Working quickly, spoon about 1.5 tablespoons of hot candy over the top end of each lollipop stick.
9. Let cool completely at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes until fully hardened.
10. Carefully peel from mat and wrap individually in cellophane.

Tips and variations

• Do not stir the sugar mixture after it comes to a boil. Stirring introduces crystals and causes the candy to turn grainy and opaque.
• Use gel food coloring rather than liquid. Liquid coloring can add too much moisture and affect the texture.
• Sprinkle edible glitter or luster dust over the lollipops before they set for a sparkling finish.
• Press a small edible flower or herb leaf into the surface of the lollipop before it sets for a botanical variation.
• Add a pinch of citric acid along with the flavoring for a sour candy effect.
• Store wrapped individually in a cool dry place for up to 3 weeks. Humidity will cause them to become sticky.

Nutritional information (per lollipop, makes approximately 20 lollipops)

• Calories: 95
• Protein: 0g
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sodium: 10mg

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