Invisible Pops

(52)
invisible pops
Photo: Sang An
Yield:
1 dozen

Practice your magic with these invisible Halloween lollipops. Bring corn syrup, granulated sugar, and water to a boil, then pour into three-inch circles. Press assorted candies such as licorice whips, pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds), and candy corn into each individal confection.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar

  • cup light corn syrup

  • Assorted candies and seeds, such as red and black licorice whips, candy corn, and pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)

Directions

  1. Line 3 baking sheets with Silpat nonstick baking mats or parchment paper. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside.

  2. Bring sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Don't stir, 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 degrees to 310 degrees (hard-crack stage) on a candy thermometer, 5 to 7 minutes.

  3. 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.

  4. 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. With your fingertip or a wooden skewer, lightly press candies and seeds into syrup. Let stand until completely hardened and cooled.

Cook's Notes

You can buy lollipop sticks at candy-supply and baking-supply stores.

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