When I saw these colorful lollipops on
Technicolor Kitchen, I was thrilled. I think it's perfect for a candy buffet or a kid's birthday party :-)
And so I ask for permission to post the recipe. Thanks to Patricia!
Lavender Lollipops
(makes about 12)
Ingredients:
½ cup (120ml) water
2 teaspoons edible dried lavender buds (or vanilla)
1 cup (200g) sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
few drops of purple food coloring (using a toothpick) - you can use any other color too
Start by making a lavender infusion: place water and lavender in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and set aside until completely cold – I made the infusion the day before and left it covered at room temperature. Strain the infusion.
Oil a marble slab or baking sheet. Have ready at least a dozen wooden sucker sticks.
In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup and 1/3 cup (80ml) of the lavender infusion; stir to blend. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cover and boil for 2-3 minutes. Uncover and insert a candy thermometer in the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reaches 143ºC/290ºF. If sugar crystals form on the pan sides, wash the down with a pastry brush dipped in warm water.
Remove the pan from the heat and immediately dip the bottom of it into a pan of cold water to arrest cooking, removing quickly before the mixture gets too cold. Place on a dry kitchen towel and add the food coloring.
Using a large metal spoon, immediately spoon a little less than 4cm (1½ in) pools of syrup onto the prepared marble slab/sheet*. Lay one end of the lollipop stick in each pool of syrup while still soft and push gently to secure in place. Dot a little extra syrup on the embedded end of the stick. Let cool at room temperature until completely set, about 2 hours.
Wrap each lollipop in cellophane or waxed paper. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
* once the mixture got cold and difficult to mold, I returned the pan to medium heat, stirring, until it became soft again (30 seconds or so)
I haven't tried them out but I think I will try them out on my son's birthday...
Hope you have fun! :-)
