Chocolate Lollipops!

When the kids were little we created the tradition of making chocolate lollipops on their birthdays and holidays. Instead of cupcakes they brought lollipops to school to celebrate. Over the years I collected molds with everything from Minnie Mouse and Pokemon to Harry Potter, footballs, dolphins and mustaches. Not be confused with dolphins with mustaches although that would make an interesting lollipop.

Since North High had a Senior Kingdom themed pep rally on Arielle’s birthday I thought what better way to celebrate than with chocolate lollipops. They’re easy to make and who doesn’t love chocolate at seven in the morning?

Step 1: Choose the color and flavor of your chocolate. I’ve always used Merckens. If you live in the Cape you can find some at the Candy Station. Four pounds of melting chips makes approximately sixty lollipops.

Step 2: Melt the chocolate in a microwave. For the dark chocolate, I set the microwave for twenty seconds, stirred, and then set it for another fourteen seconds. The milk chocolate needed a total of forty seconds to melt. If you decide to use any of the tinted chocolates, set the microwave for fifty percent power and cook the chips in ten to fifteen second intervals, stirring in between. Be very careful not to over cook them. The tinted chocolate is a little trickier to work with.

Step 3: Pour the chocolate into your mold. Insert the stick and turn several times to make sure the stick is fully coated. Then gently tap the mold on your counter until all of the air bubbles are released from within the chocolate. Four or five taps is usually enough.

Step 4: Place the mold in your fridge for twenty to thirty minutes and they’re done. Carefully turn the mold over and the lollipops should fall right out. If they don’t they may need more time in the fridge. If you’re sure they’re done then gently tap the outside of the mold and this should release them.

You can add color to the pops by pouring in tinted chocolate, letting it harden and then add milk or dark chocolate. Thank you to one of my friends who made these gingerbread men years ago. I found the picture stashed with my old photos.

So while the seniors worked hard decorating for the pep rally. I made lollipops. I think my job was easier.