Valentine Lollipops

Create your own batch of homemade Valentine lollipops that aren't as difficult to make as you might think.

Valentine Lollipops Recipe
Makes 8

Materials:

• 8 ounces assorted red, pink, or clear hard candies
• 2 1/2-to-3 1/2-inch round or heart-shaped metal cookie cutters
• 35 to 60 (2 to 3 ounces) assorted small decorative candies, such as red cinnamon hearts, small non-pareils, colored candy hearts, spice drops and gumdrops
• Lollipop sticks

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place unwrapped hard candies in a heavy plastic bag. Place the bag on top of a folded towel and crush the candies into small chunks using a meat tenderizer or potato masher.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place desired cookie cutters on the parchment paper, at least 2 inches apart. Divide the crushed candies evenly among the cutters (about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons per cutter). The layer of candy should be about 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. Add small decorative candies to the crushed candies in the cutters.
3. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for about 6 to 8 minutes, or until the candies are completely melted. Cool for 30 seconds. Remove the cookie cutters with a pair of tongs, allowing the melted candy to spread slightly.
4. Working quickly, attach a lollipop stick to the base of each melted candy shape, twisting the stick slightly to cover it with melted candy. If desired, press more small candies into the hot lollipops. Cool. Peel the lollipops from the parchment paper.

NOTE: These lollipops are not intended for children under age 3. The Consumer Product Safety Commission cautions that children under age 3 should not handle anything that is smaller than 2 1/4-by-1 1/4-by-1 1/4-inches. Anything smaller than this size becomes a choking hazard.