Okay, I realize I’m not, but sometimes I really wish I was Ina Garten.

GIF courtesy of buzzfeed.com

She’s my all-time favorite Food Network veteran that always makes extravagant meals for her jolly husband Jeffery, while making it look effortless. I recently saw an episode of her show Barefoot Contessa where she visits one of William Curley’s famous chocolate shops in London. The lollipops she recreated in her Hamptons home seemed too easy to be true, so I decided to try them out (thanks Ina!).

Turns out my first dabble in candy making was actually as easy as Ina made it look. These pops are perfect to decorate with any theme for a holiday, birthday or season. They are also a great treat to make for a bake sale.

The combinations of toppings are endless —fruits and nuts like I made, jellybeans and coconut shavings for Easter, and even candy corn and toasted pumpkin seeds for Halloween, and remember…

lollipop

Photo courtesy of memegenerator.com

 

Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 12 lollipops

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Photo by Sarah Silbiger

Ingredients:
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
4 ounces white chocolate, chopped almonds
Dried cranberries
Rice cereal
Lollipop sticks

Directions:
1. Place most of the chopped chocolate in separate microwaveable bowls, leaving about a ½ cup out. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir and return to the microwave for 30 more seconds until all of the chocolate is melted. As soon as all of the chocolate is melted add the left over chocolate and stir until completely smooth and at room temperature.

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Photo by Sarah Silbiger

2. On a sheet of parchment paper dollop a tablespoon of chocolate, insert the lollipop stick (or coffee stirrer like I used) and twist in a circle once, until it’s covered in chocolate on all sides.

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Photo by Sarah Silbiger

 

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Photo by Sarah Silbiger

3. Decorate with toppings of your choice and place in the fridge for 10 minutes or until set.

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Photo by Sarah Silbiger

Now call all of your friends and tell them you’re planning a lollipop party.

GIF courtesy of tumblr.com

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