Lollypops © 1971

Children do talk to the animals when they're candy on sticks

2 c. sugar
2/3 c. light corn syrup
1 c. water
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. oil of peppermint
1/4 tsp. red food coloring

Oil inside of small cookie cutters that are open at both top and bottom; select cutters in the shape of animals, such as a chicken, rabbit, squirrel or other animals children like, or in the shape of a Christmas tree or star, etc. Place about 4" apart on oiled baking sheets or oiled aluminum foil.

Combine sugar, corn syrup, water and salt in 2-qt. heavy saucepan. Place over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. If sugar crystals form on sides of pan, wipe them off.

Remove from heat; add oil of peppermint and food color. Stir only enough to mix.

Quickly pour hot candy mixture, without scraping pan, into cookie cutters. Candy should be about 1/4" thick. As soon as candy is set and while still warm, remove cutters and twist a lollypop stick (wooden meat skewer) into each candy. With broad spatula, loosen lollypops from baking sheet before they cool.

Repeat until all candy syrup is used. If it gets too hard to pour, stir over low heat just enough to melt candy. Work fast.

Wrap individually in waxed paper as soon as cool to prevent candy from absorbing moisture and becoming sticky. Store in airtight boxes. Makes about 30 lollypops, depending on size of cookie cutters used.

Note: Increase the amount of oil flavoring if you like a more pronounced flavor. And do use different flavors and food colors. Here are a few suggestions: oil of lime or spearmint with green food color, oil of wintergreen with pink, oil of lemon with yellow, oil of orange with orange, and oil of peppermint or oil of cinnamon with red.

Choice Candy From Your Own Kitchen