Peppermint Christmas Sprinkle Lollipops
As a mother of 3 children, it’s fair to say that the events that occurred last week on Friday at Sandy Hook elementary school have left me feeling completely devastated. My heart breaks for the families, friends and the community of Newton, CT.
I just can’t stop thinking about the heroic teachers and the brave, innocent children, it’s like a never ending puzzle going through my mind. Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for the families. Christmas will never be the same again for the rest of their lives. 
My children are my life. It’s so easy to take life for granted, you often forget just how precious life is.
On Friday before I heard about the tragic events that took place at Sandy Hook elementary school, my younger two children, Collette (9) and Abbi (8), and I made some lollipops.
It was one of those perfect family moments that my children will cherish for life. I sat them down and told them exactly what to expect and the dangers of hot syrup in a military fashion.
I enlisted their help because I found that doing these lollipops was, for me, a 2 (wo)man job
- As I’m arthritic, I just couldn’t seem to pour the syrup from the saucepan spout (darn hands and wrists!) so used a Pyrex glass jug.
- I couldn’t seem to pour the syrup as well as push in the lollipop stick after each blob of syrup and grab some sprinkles as the syrup cooled too quickly.
The plan was for me to make the clear peppermint flavoured hard candy syrup (because that’s a little dangerous for even the older children). Then I’d pour the syrup and ask for Abbi (8) to immediately push the lollipop stick into the syrup blobs, then ask Collette (9) to immediately grab some Christmas sprinkles and sprinkle them over the syrup.
Our lollipops might not be perfectly round, or have a perfect sprinkle uniform pattern, but they were extremely delicious and were so much fun to make. Collette and Abbi loved making these lollipops and of course, inhaling them after. 
If you trust your [older] child(ren) to be safe around hot syrup, then make some sprinkle lollipops with them.
Peppermint Lollipops Recipe
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10-15 mins
Yield: 12 lollipops
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- ⅔ cup light corn syrup
- 2 tsp peppermint extract
- assorted sprinkles
Directions:
- Line two baking sheets with Silpat nonstick baking mats or parchment paper. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside.
- Bring sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Once dissolved, stop stirring, but occasionally wash down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water to prevent crystals from forming; boil until mixture turns golden and registers 300-310℉ (hard-crack stage) on a candy thermometer, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Immediately set pan into ice-water bath to stop the cooking (syrup will steam vigorously); let sit about 20 seconds. Swirl pan 2 minutes more to cool.
- Working quickly, pour syrup onto baking sheets, forming circles (3 to 31/2 inches in diameter) and spacing pours about 4 inches apart .
- Press in lollipop sticks.
- Add sprinkles, candies, seeds, etc. Let stand until completely hardened and cooled.
Notes:
On step 3, I cooled my pan in the ice bath for 20 seconds then poured the syrup into a [warm] Pyrex measuring jug. I don’t recommend doing this as the syrup cools quickly and becomes thick. It also becomes very hard to re-heat it back to a pouring consistency.
Recipe Source:
Adapted from Martha Stewart
If you’re like me and feeling rather helpless wanting to do something to help, please take a look at this wonderful post by Dorothy from Crazy for Crust.
I’ll be joining in and posting a tribute family friendly recipe on Friday, 21st December to honour the victims, families and friends.
I link up to these link parties.
About Lisa Crunkhorn
What a great idea. They look like little snow-globes! Will have to attempt them with my 3 kiddies one day! Thanks for sharing
Liz recently posted…White Chocolate Dipped Molasses Cookies
I didn’t see the snow globes until you mentioned them but they kinda do. Your kids will love making these. It was so much fun. Thanks Liz.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted…Peppermint Christmas Lollipops
Lisa, I don’t have children, but I totally feel the same about the shooting in Newton, CT. I’m glad you got to make some memories to last a lifetime with your girls and just because they’re not round doesn’t mean they’re not perfect!
Sylvie @ Romaingtaste recently posted…Lives Lost
Thanks Sylvie.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted…Peppermint Christmas Lollipops
Thanks for spreading the word Lisa! And I love these pops, I have memories of making some with my mom!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Day of Silence
You’re welcome, Dorothy. I hope my girls will remember making them too when they’re older and have fond memories.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted…Peppermint Christmas Lollipops
Ok so these are awesome!!! I totally want to make some myself now. Will have to try them out
Tash @ The Velvet Moon Baker recently posted…Social Media Silence in Remeberance of those affected by the Sandy Hook shootings
Just have your daughter throw a handful of sprinkles from afar straight after you blob some syrup down, she’ll love that!
Hehe. Thanks Tash.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted…Peppermint Christmas Lollipops
This was a really thought-provoking, resonant post. I’m glad you get to spend time with your family and make the most of every single moment–you’re truly an inspiration!
Ala recently posted…National Blogging Day of Remembrance
Thanks so much, Ala.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted…Peppermint Christmas Lollipops
Such great lollipops for the kids!
I love this, especially when here these are not common. I’m sure my nieces and nephews would loooooooooooove these
Winnie recently posted…עוגת מיץ פטל ורודה
Lollipops aren’t common there? Yikes! I remember growing up loving lollipops and yes, your neices and nephews would totally love these.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted…Peppermint Christmas Lollipops
These are STUNNINGLY beautiful! And I love that you made them with your children <3
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) recently posted…Browned Butter, Salted, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thanks Kayle.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted…Peppermint Christmas Lollipops
Beautiful post. Sounds like you’re making sweet memories for your children:)
Sue recently posted…Woodland Santa Gingerbread Cookies
I hope so, Sue. Even if they don’t remember making these lollipops, they’ll remember them for this Christmas sprinkle goodies and their special taste.
Thanks Sue.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted…Peppermint Christmas Lollipops
I feel this is the kind of candy that screams made with love. I love uneven homemade candy! You´re an inspiration Lisa and this post is heartwarming!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen recently posted…Finnish Pulla (Cardamom-scented sweet bread)
You’re right, there is something special about homemade treats. Even more magical when made with love by children too.
Thanks Paula.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted…Peppermint Christmas Lollipops
Wow, these look fantastic! I was wondering what to make for Christmas. What a great idea
ATasteOfMadness recently posted…Bell Pepper Egg-in-a-hole
I am hoping to participate except currently my thesis theme has crashed… hopefully will be fixed in time to post on Friday. But anyway….
I LOVE these lollipops! My kids are a bit younger (6 and 7)…. I wonder if they could do the sprinkling? I bet so, I am determined to try! I ADORE this project! And I would never have thought of the sprinkles!
Laura recently posted…Middle Eastern Scrambled Eggs with Meat and Onion: Review of An Edible Mosaic
I think your lollipops are perfect! Working with syrup is one of the hardest things to do – that’s why I don’t do it often! Or I pour in on a sheet pan and break into pieces – then it looks like I wanted it that way!
Your girls will cherish the time you had making them!
The Partiologist recently posted…A Bright Idea!
Lisa, these pops are gorgeous! And so easy to make–seriously, only like, four ingredients? You’re a baking mastermind, my friend <3 and I LOVE your new holiday digs! So stinkin' cute!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted…Lemon White Chocolate Cranberry Bars, Food & Wine Giveaway, and a #TopChef Review!
Kudos to you for braving the sugar-cooking realm! It still terrifies me and anything past marshmallows is a no go. But these are so cute and festive, and I love how you did them with your kids. It’s important to keep them close in times when we remember those at Sandy Hook.
Best to you and yours
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain recently posted…Peppermint Biscotti
Lisa, these are sure cute, love that they clear and the little sprinkles. I’m sure your girls will always be fond of their memories in the kitchen with you.
Take care
Connie
Smitten Foodie recently posted…BAKED POTATO SOUP
I love this idea it’s brilliant Lisa! I’d love to try this for my kiddies sometime. When you get a chance pop over mines you’re invited to our Christmas tree link-up party. Hope to see you there! : )
I love the cute little sprinkles in these lollipops! I need to try this out with my nephew (who’s 8), what kid doesn’t like lollipops!?