Candy Cane Lollipops Recipe
Introduction
These festive Candy Cane Lollipops are a fun and colorful treat perfect for the holiday season. Made simply by melting Jolly Ranchers into a classic candy cane shape, they’re easy to make and sure to delight both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 10 Strawberry Jolly Ranchers
- 8 Pineapple Jolly Ranchers
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 275 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside for later use.
- Step 2: Unwrap all Jolly Ranchers and cut each candy in half to create smaller pieces.
- Step 3: Arrange the candy halves on the parchment paper in an alternating red and yellow pattern to form a candy cane shape. Each candy cane should be made of 7 pieces, starting and ending with a red piece, ensuring all pieces are touching. Leave enough space at the bottom for inserting a lollipop stick after baking.
- Step 4: Place the baking sheet in the oven and heat until the candies melt together, about 4 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Step 5: Once melted, quickly roll the end of a lollipop stick in the melted candy at the bottom of each candy cane and press gently to secure.
- Step 6: Allow the lollipops to cool and harden at room temperature for about 10 minutes before removing or serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use different flavored or colored hard candies to create unique patterns and flavor combinations.
- If the candy hardens before you insert the sticks, warm it briefly in the oven again for easier handling.
- To add some sparkle, sprinkle edible glitter or crushed peppermint on the candy cane shapes before baking.
Storage
Store the lollipops in an airtight container at room temperature to prevent moisture from making them sticky. They will keep well for up to two weeks. To refresh, let them sit at room temperature if they become slightly soft before enjoying again.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other hard candies besides Jolly Ranchers?
Yes, you can experiment with other hard candies as long as they melt smoothly and don’t burn easily. Just be mindful of different melting times and flavors.
What should I do if the candies don’t stick together well after melting?
Make sure the candies are placed closely together before baking and that the oven temperature is consistent at 275 degrees F. If they cool too quickly, they might not fuse properly—working quickly after melting helps when inserting sticks.
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Candy Cane Lollipops Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 candy cane lollipops 1x
Description
These festive Candy Cane Lollipops are a fun and colorful holiday treat made by melting strawberry and pineapple Jolly Ranchers into classic candy cane shapes. Perfect for gifting or adding a sweet touch to your holiday celebrations, these lollipops are easy to make with just two types of hard candies and a quick baking method.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 10 Strawberry Jolly Ranchers
- 8 Pineapple Jolly Ranchers
- 7 Lollipop sticks (one per candy cane)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and helps with easy cleanup.
- Prepare the candies: Unwrap all the Jolly Ranchers and carefully cut each candy in half to help them melt evenly and fit the candy cane shape.
- Arrange candy canes: On the parchment, arrange the candy halves in alternating colors, starting and ending with the strawberry (red) flavor to mimic traditional candy cane colors. Each candy cane should be formed using 7 candy halves placed close together so they will melt and fuse.
- Melt the candies: Place the baking sheet in the oven for about 4 to 5 minutes, keeping an eye on the candies as they melt and join together. Remove once melted but before they spread too thin.
- Add the stick: Immediately after removing from the oven, roll one end of a lollipop stick in the melted candy at the base of each candy cane shape to secure the stick in place.
- Set to harden: Allow the lollipops to cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes until the candy hardens completely and the lollipops are set.
Notes
- Be sure to watch the candies closely while melting to avoid burning or over-spreading.
- If the candies start to harden before placing the sticks, you can briefly return them to the oven.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking; wax paper may not work as well at high heat.
- Customize colors by using other Jolly Rancher flavors for different holiday themes.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature to prevent sticking and moisture absorption.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Candy cane lollipops, holiday candy, Jolly Rancher recipe, melted candy candies, festive treats, easy homemade lollipops
