So sweet: easy homemade lollipops

There's something so nostalgic about a good, old fashioned lollipop. So it's a great project to do at home to show the kids how it's done.

The best part is you can colour them however you want, so get creative and have some sweet sweet sweet good times.

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EASY HOMEMADE LOLLIPOP RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 1 cup glucose syrup
• ⅔ cup caster sugar
• Flavour essence of choice (a couple of drops only – rose, vanilla, orange blossom, peppermint, coffee etc.)
• Food colour of choice

Note: You will need moulds to pour the candy into so it can set. You use readymade lollipop moulds or make some. One trick is to use cupcake patty cases and push a small skewer or straw (cut to the right length) through the side to make a lollipop mould, or you can use a silicone chocolate mould and simply make candy with no stick. Make sure you spray any mould lightly with a neutral oil like rice bran, to make sure your lollies come out.

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Method:

1. Prepare your chosen moulds by oiling them lightly and have your sticks at the ready if using them.
2. In a heavy based saucepan add the glucose syrup and sugar together and stir them over medium heat until the sugar has melted. Bring the sugar mix to the boil and simmer it until it reaches 155°C on a candy thermometer (hard crack stage).
3. Take the mixture off the heat and add you chosen colour in a couple of drops and flavour. Stir the mix so it is evenly coloured and to help the bubbles subside. Straight away pour the syrup into the prepared moulds and secure sticks (if using them) in place. Allow to cool in the fridge until set completely before un-moulding them.

Tip: If you have made candy with no sticks and want to store them in a jar, dust them in a little corn flour to stop them sticking together.