Creating Wedding Lollipops: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making your own wedding lollipops is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your big day. Whether you're looking for a unique party favour or a sweet addition to your dessert table, handmade lollipops are a great option. You can choose your own flavours, colours, and even add edible flowers for a delicate and whimsical touch. With a few simple ingredients and some creativity, you can create beautiful and delicious lollipops that your guests will love.

Choosing the right flowers

Edibility

It is crucial to ensure that the flowers you choose are safe to consume. While many flowers are beautiful, some are also poisonous. Consult a guide to identify which flowers are edible and where to source them. If you're growing your own flowers, make sure they are organic and free from any harmful pesticides or chemicals. Pressing your own flowers from your garden can add a special touch to your lollipops and is a wonderful way to make your project even more unique and personal.

Flower Types and Colors

A variety of flowers can be used in your lollipops, including daisies, pansies, columbine, marigold, lavender, rose petals, and even tiny flowers from a cilantro plant. Dried edible teas and herbs, such as chamomile, mint leaves, jasmine tea, or lemon verbena, can also be beautiful and flavorful additions. Consider the color scheme of your wedding when selecting your flowers. For example, if your wedding colors are pastel shades, choose lighter-colored petals like those of daisies or chamomile. If you want a bolder look, go for deeper hues found in flowers like lavender or rose petals.

Sourcing Flowers

You can purchase pressed flowers online, but growing your own edible flowers or sourcing them from a local supplier can be a more sustainable and cost-effective option. If you're using fresh flowers, pick them at the right time of day, early in the morning after the dew has evaporated. This will help ensure that your flowers are at their freshest and will last longer.

Experimenting with Flavors

Different edible flowers will impart unique flavors to your lollipops. For example, lavender has a delicate, slightly sweet flavor, while rose petals offer a subtle fruity or spicy note. You can also combine different flowers to create unique flavor profiles. Remember to consider the flavor of the lollipop base as well, ensuring it complements the taste of the flowers.

Presentation

Think about how you want your lollipops to look. Some couples may prefer a more natural, rustic appearance, while others might opt for a more elegant, sophisticated style. The way you arrange the flowers within the lollipops can also vary. You can place them flat, creating a pretty pattern, or layer them within the candy for a three-dimensional effect.

Silicone moulds

When shopping for silicone moulds, look for food-grade silicone that is BPA-free and PVC-free. Also, check that the moulds are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. Some moulds even come with additional tools like lollipop sticks, treat bags, and twist ties, so you have everything you need to get started.

You can find silicone lollipop moulds in various shapes and sizes, from classic rounds to hearts, flowers, and even 3D shapes like butterflies. These moulds typically have multiple cavities, ranging from 6 to 15, so you can make several lollipops in one go.

• Webake Rose Lollipop Moulds: This set includes two 3D rose-shaped moulds with six holes each, perfect for making floral lollipops. It also comes with lollipop sticks.
• 304-Piece Silicone Lollipop Moulds Kit: This comprehensive kit includes pink silicone moulds with 15 holes, an acrylic lollipop stand, 100 lollipop sticks, 100 candy bags, and 100 gold ties.
• Silicone Flower Lollipop Mould: Create flower-shaped lollipops with this mould, which can also be used for chocolates and cookies.
• Lollipops Moulds & 25 Sucker Sticks: Featuring a 3D flower shape, this mould is safe for use in the oven, refrigerator, and microwave, with a temperature range of -104°F to 446°F.
• Webake Lollipop Moulds Set of 3: Sphere-shaped silicone moulds with lids, perfect for making round, 3D lollipops. The set includes 100 paper lollipop sticks.

Flavouring

There are many different flavour combinations you can try, from Coconut-Lime to Spicy Pineapple Mint. You can also opt for a simple flavour like vanilla or go for a variety of fun flavours. If you're making your own lollipops, you can buy flavouring extracts such as vanilla, mint, or cinnamon. These extracts can be added to your lollipop mixture after it has been heated and before you pour it into your moulds.

If you want to add a decorative element to your lollipops, you can include edible flowers. Daisies, pansies, columbine, marigold, lavender, rose petals, and even tiny flowers from a cilantro plant that has gone to seed are all edible options. Just make sure that the flowers you choose are definitely edible, as many flowers are poisonous. You can purchase pressed edible flowers online or press your own if you have the right flowers in your garden.

Another way to add flavour to your lollipops is to include food colouring. You can match the colour to the flavour, such as red for cinnamon, yellow for vanilla, and green for mint.

If you don't want to make your own lollipops, you can buy them from various online retailers. Etsy, for example, offers a wide range of wedding lollipops in different flavours, including apple pie, strawberry Hennessy, and beach-themed lollipops.

Melting the candy

Oven Method:

This method is mess-free and does not require a candy thermometer. Here's what you need to do:

• Preheat your oven to 250°F. Place a silicone lollipop mold on a baking sheet.
• Add one dried pressed flower (face down) in each cavity of the mold. Ensure that you only use edible flowers for this step.
• Place the lollipop sticks in each cavity.
• Put one or two clear peppermint hard candies in each cavity. You may need to experiment with the amount to determine what works best for your mold.
• Bake the mold in the oven for 30-60 minutes, or until the candies have melted completely. Rotate the sticks as needed to ensure they are fully coated.
• Allow the lollipops to cool and harden completely before removing them from the mold. This should take less than 30 minutes.
• Enjoy your lollipops immediately or package them in cello bags to prevent stickiness.

Stovetop Method:

If you prefer to use a stovetop, here is a step-by-step guide:

• Gather your equipment: a medium saucepan with a heavy bottom, a wooden spoon with a long handle, a pastry brush, a candy thermometer, and a lollipop mold.
• Prepare your lollipop molds by spraying them lightly with non-stick cooking spray and wiping out the excess with a paper towel.
• Insert the lollipop sticks into the molds.
• Combine 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup light corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in the saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves, using the wet pastry brush to brush down any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan.
• Once the mixture reaches a boil, insert the candy thermometer. Allow it to boil without stirring until it reaches 300°F (149°C), which is the hard-crack stage.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit until it stops bubbling.
• Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of your chosen extract (such as vanilla, mint, or cinnamon) and optional food coloring.
• Spoon the melted candy into the mold cavities, ensuring that the back of the stick is covered.
• Allow the lollipops to cool and harden completely, then remove them from the molds after about 10 minutes.

Packaging

Once your wedding lollipops are ready, it's time to think about packaging. Here are some ideas and instructions to help you with the packaging process:

Choosing the Right Packaging

• Cellophane bags: Cellophane bags are a popular choice for packaging lollipops. They are clear, so your guests can see the beautiful lollipops inside, and they come in different sizes to fit your lollipops perfectly. You can find them online or at craft stores.
• Boxes: Small boxes can be a cute way to package your lollipops, especially if you want to include multiple lollipops per guest. Look for boxes that are the right size and perhaps decorate them with ribbons or stickers.
• Containers: If you're looking for a unique way to display your lollipops, consider using containers such as jars, vases, or buckets. This works well if you have a specific theme or colour scheme for your wedding.

Preparing the Packaging

• Decorate your packaging: Add a personal touch by decorating your packaging. You can use ribbons, twine, stickers, or tags to make your lollipop favours look elegant and stylish.
• Include a note: Write a short message or a "thank you" note to include with each lollipop. This adds a heartfelt touch and makes your guests feel appreciated.
• Seal the packaging: If using cellophane bags, seal them tightly to keep the lollipops fresh. You can use twist ties, ribbons, or stickers to seal the bags.

Presenting the Lollipops

• Display ideas: Present your packaged lollipops in a way that enhances their appeal. You can place them in a basket, on a dessert table, or even create a lollipop bouquet for a unique display.
• Table settings: If you're giving a lollipop to each guest, consider placing them at each table setting. This adds a colourful touch to your wedding tables and makes it easy for guests to find their treats.
• Favours display: Set up a dedicated favours table where guests can pick up their lollipops. Decorate the table with flowers, signs, or other props to create a visually appealing display.

Remember to plan the packaging process in advance, ensuring you have all the necessary materials and allowing enough time for assembly. This will ensure that your wedding lollipops are beautifully presented and ready to delight your guests!

Frequently asked questions