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.
What a great idea. They look like little snow-globes! Will have to attempt them with my 3 kiddies one day! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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, 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!
Thanks Sylvie.
Thanks for spreading the word Lisa! And I love these pops, I have memories of making some with my mom!
You’re welcome, Dorothy. I hope my girls will remember making them too when they’re older and have fond memories.
Thanks for spreading the word Lisa! And I love these pops, I have memories of making some with my mom!
You’re welcome, Dorothy. I hope my girls will remember making them too when they’re older and have fond memories.
Ok so these are awesome!!! I totally want to make some myself now. Will have to try them out
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.
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!
Thanks so much, Ala.
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!
Thanks so much, Ala.
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
Lollipops aren’t common there? Yikes! I remember growing up loving lollipops and yes, your neices and nephews would totally love these.
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
Lollipops aren’t common there? Yikes! I remember growing up loving lollipops and yes, your neices and nephews would totally love these.
These are STUNNINGLY beautiful! And I love that you made them with your children <3
Thanks Kayle.
Beautiful post. Sounds like you’re making sweet memories for your children:)
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.
Beautiful post. Sounds like you’re making sweet memories for your children:)
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.
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!
You’re right, there is something special about homemade treats. Even more magical when made with love by children too. 😀 Thanks Paula.
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!
You’re right, there is something special about homemade treats. Even more magical when made with love by children too. 😀 Thanks Paula.
Wow, these look fantastic! I was wondering what to make for Christmas. What a great idea
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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 🙂
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 🙂
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
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
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!?
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!?