Fall Pumpkin Lollipops

As some of you know, I've been venturing into candy lately. I'm not sure why although I think it has something to do with the challenge. When I first started this blog, I was pretty impressed with myself when I managed to perfect a hard boiled egg (okay, I shouldn't say perfect... I still screw this up occasionally). But now I am feeling more confident in the kitchen and with that confidence comes a new set of tasks that I'm willing to try. So I guess that is what led me to candy.

Not all candy needs special equipment, but some definitely do. And my mom was awesome enough to get me a really nice candy-jelly-deep fry thermometer. This big guy even has "legs" so you don't have to worry about the thermometer touching the bottom of the pan. It sure is a step up from the $1.99 one I picked up at the grocery store!

Last night while watching a movie with my husband, I turned to him and said, "Pumpkin pops! With Mike and Ike stems!" He nodded as if he was used to these random outbursts. I quickly jotted down an idea on a Post-It note and this is what happened next...

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 (3 oz) box orange jello
• Mike and Ikes (just the green ones, eat the rest!)
• lollipop sticks
• nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

• Butter or spray nonstick vegetable cooking spray onto parchment lined cookie sheets. Arrange half of the lollipop sticks on each and set aside.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat add sugar, butter and corn syrup together until sugar has dissolved.
• Slowly bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Insert a candy thermometer into syrup and continue cooking until temperature reaches 300 degrees F. Remove from heat. Stir in gelatin until smooth.
• Using a metal spoon and working quickly, drop heaping spoonfuls of lollipop syrup on end of each lollipop stick. Place a green Mike and Ike candy at the top to look like a stem. Cool completely.

Okay maybe it's a little early for Halloween, but these would be perfect for any fall event too!

I did give these a try and they had a great flavor. Just like a lollipop you could buy at the store! You could sub out any flavor for orange... the possibilities are endless! But either way, these could be my new favorite thing to make (and give).

It was a little hard to get them into perfect shapes, but hey... not all pumpkins were created equal either, right?

Source: P Deen