I should mention that I actually made these lollipops quite some time ago and then forgot about them—I photographed them the same day as some strawberry cake ball truffles. I rediscovered the photos recently and realized they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, so here they are.
These square lollipops are extremely easy to make and require only one ingredient. Their square shape gives them a slightly elevated, special look compared to ordinary round lollipops.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag of Jolly Ranchers (choose red or pink flavors for a Valentine’s theme)
Materials:
- silicone square ice cube mold
- lollipop sticks
- plastic zip-top bag
- mallet or hammer
- cookie sheet
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 275°F (about 135°C).
2. Unwrap the Jolly Ranchers and place them in a plastic zip-top bag. Squeeze out excess air and seal the bag.
3. Crush the candies with a mallet or hammer until they break into small pieces roughly the size shown in the photos.
4. Open the bag and pour the candy pieces into the silicone square mold, filling each cavity to the top. Note: the melted candy will reduce to approximately half its volume, so fill the molds generously.
5. Set the filled silicone mold on a cookie sheet and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 8–12 minutes, checking frequently. When the candy has fully melted into a smooth liquid, it’s ready. Timing will vary based on how full each mold is and the oven rack position, so watch closely.
6. As soon as the melted candy is liquid, quickly insert a lollipop stick into the center of each square. Hold the stick straight for a moment if needed, then allow the candy to cool and harden completely in the molds.
7. Once fully hardened, remove the squares from the molds and enjoy your homemade lollipops.
Food production Linda Jednaszewski
Photography and styling Brittni Mehlhoff
This is a simple, fun weekend project that’s great for gifting or party favors. Who’s ready to try making lollipops?
P.S. I’ll be back tomorrow with a list of DIYs to try this weekend.