Ace Hardware—the land of tools, with the scent like tires and home to the most addictive lemon drops on the planet. Located near the register, these candies also come in cherry, green apple and other flavors. If you leave without eating ten, you have some serious self control.
After reading this simple homemade lollipop recipe, combining the lemon and cherry drops into one melded sucker became even more of a no-brainer. These pops won’t come as perfectly circular as store-bought pops, but hey, it’s more fun when they’re tie-dyed-looking and weird-shaped. Cute straws can substitute plain white sticks and also make these ‘pops pop. Hardware stores and old-fashioned candy: could this project be more American?
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5-7 minutes
Total Time: 7-9 minutes
Servings: 20 (number will vary based on size)
Photo by Katherine Richter
Ingredients:
2 bags lemon and cherry drops, unwrapped
Several straws
Parchment paper
Tip: Do not use foil paper. They will stick to the back of the pops—I learned that the hard way.
Instructions:
1. Crush candies with a clean mallet, hammer or rolling pin.
Photo by Katherine Richter
Photo by Katherine Richter
2. Dump candies into cookie cutters, or arrange the crushed sugar into unique formations on parchment paper. Layer candies about ¼-inch thick and space them apart from other pops.
Photo by Katherine Richter
3. Remove cutters (if used) and bake for 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
4. Take out of oven and insert straws at the base of the pop, immediately. Allow time to cool.
Photo by Katherine Richter
It’s no longer June (aka National Candy Month) but we’re still craving more: