These easy homemade lollipops taste amazing! Made with 5 simple ingredients, and endless flavor options, this is about to be your new go-to candy recipe!
Homemade Sucker Ingredients
Kids, and adults, of all ages will go crazy for this easy sucker recipe!
This candy is made with just 5 ingredients:
- Fruit juice
- Lime zest
- Sugar
- Water
- Corn syrup
The secret? Invest in a quality candy thermometer ( affiliate link to my fave). Cooking to the right temperature is key.
We love that you can really play around with the flavor combination. I decided to make a cherry lime flavor. The citrus paired with the sweet cherry gives these a sophisticated taste with a stunning appearance.
But you can easily change the fruit juice to fit your families tastes! I did not have a candy mold (affiliate link to my fave) when I made this recipe. Turns out you really do not need one.
How to make suckers without a mold:
- Add a hefty amount of powdered sugar to a jelly roll pan.
- Use a round cap, shot glass, or other object to make circles into the sugar creating your mold. Make sure the bottom of the pan does not show.
- Place a stick in the center of each circle gently pressing into the sugar.
- Pour your candy into the mold and let set 10-15 minutes.
How long to homemade lollipops last?
If stored properly, homemade suckers can last up to two to three weeks. I suggest wrapping each individually with plastic wrap. Store in an air tight container.
TIP: If you add any type of caramel or chocolate to the container your suckers will soak up the moisture and become sticky. Try to keep them in their own container or a container with other hard candies.
Like this recipe? You will love my:
Cherry Lime Suckers
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
Instructions
- Cover a jelly roll pan with powdered sugar. Use a round cap, shot glass, or other object to make circles into the sugar creating your mold. Make sure the bottom of the pan does not show. Place a stick in the center of each circle gently pressing into the sugar.
- Place the cherry juice into a pan. Boil until reduced to 2 tablespoons.
- Combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup in a separate pan. Heat to a boil and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 300 degrees F.
- Working quickly, pour the sugar mixture into a large measuring cup. Stir in the reduced juice and lime zest with a silicone spatula. Pour into the molds and allow to set for 15-20 minutes
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Imran says
When this hot water is added, would this powder be dissolved in it?
Imran says
What is the name of the powder in which the shapes are to be arranged?
Jesseca says
Powdered sugar, also known as confectioners sugar.
Cleopatra says
They look amazing! Could you tell me how many lollipops cames out from this recipe??
Jesseca says
Hi Cleopatra, It’s been a while since I have made this recipe. I believe we got 8-10 but I could be wrong.
Sonia Rosario says
@Jesseca, I just made 15 with your recipe.
Misty says
Would Arrowroot flour work as the molding substrate?
Jennifer says
Will this method still work if I use a mold because I want the lollipops in a particular shape?
Sonia Rosario says
@Jennifer, I made it in silicone mold. Letting it dry but it hasn’t. 20 mins so far.
Jen says
Taste was dead on, but I had to cook mine to a higher temperature to set. Have you made it with different flavors?
Emily says
Hello!
I tried making your lollipops, and though the taste was delicious and the recipe easy to follow, my lollipops never truly hardened. After an hour of cooling, they were “chewy” and would sag and bend when I picked them up out of the molds. Any idea what I could have done wrong? I very carefully checked that the thermometer was at 300 before removing the sugar from the heat. The reduced juice had cooled down considerably by the time the sugar hit 300 – could that have had an impact?
Jesseca says
Hi Emily. I’m not sure why your candies didn’t harden up. I’ll try to make them again today to see if the cooled juice will make a difference. (we can never have too many suckers in our house!)
Jesseca says
OK, so after some research I’ve come to the conclusion that it might have something to do with our different altitudes. You can continue to boil your candy and test it by dripping a small drop into a cup of water. If the drop hardens your candy is ready to be poured into the mold.
Debra says
Seriously?! I want to just come live by you and stop by for treats. 😉
AnnMarie B. says
LOL! My first thought was wow, they look like those gourmet pops that you pay $5 for, not gross at all! I can’t wait to try them either!
Melissa @ Keep Calm and Decorate says
This is such a good idea! They look very yummy!
Jonie says
I love these! I really love the look of the grated lime inside the sucker.
Jesseca says
I’m SO glad someone likes the look of it besides me! My sister said it looks kind of gross, and it got me worried!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
Wow, that is a fancy trick!!! How fun!
Leanne says
Those look delicious! Like I would hide them from my kids.
Aimee @like mother like daughter says
These look delicious! I definitely never would have thought it was so easy to make my own suckers, now I can’t wait to try! The powdered sugar doesn’t stick to the suckers?
Jesseca says
It kind of does. I just brushed it off with a paper towel.
A.Redding says
@Aimee @like mother like daughter, Is it safe to say I can recycle the powdered sugar to continuously make more suckers?
Jesseca says
We do.