Lollipops! Have you ever made them at home? I hadn’t—until I discovered a clever shortcut for homemade pops with this project. I melted Airheads to create what I call “Love Pops,” and I even made them ombré. These set quickly, so you’ll need to move fast, but if you’re ready for a little speed and fun, follow along to make a delightful Valentine’s treat.
Supplies:
– Airheads candies
– Heat-proof lollipop molds
– Lollipop sticks
– Small microwave-safe bowls
The most important tip: work fast. Airheads melt and then begin to firm up quickly, so have your molds and sticks ready before you heat the candy. Place the lollipop molds with sticks set in them near the microwave. Each pop uses about two and a half Airheads, so put that amount in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted and bubbling. Microwaves vary, but my batches took roughly 40 seconds—watch closely so the candy doesn’t overcook.
As soon as the candy is melted, remove the bowl, stir quickly, and pour into the molds, covering the sticks and filling each cavity. Because the candy can begin to set immediately, pour steadily and work in small batches. Once the molds are filled, place them in the freezer to speed up setting. They firm up quickly, but leaving them a few hours makes them easier to remove from the molds without breaking.
To create ombré shades of pink, combine different Airhead flavors. For a smooth gradient, start with all White Mystery for the palest pop. For each subsequent pop, replace about half an Airhead with a pink-flavored piece—Pink Lemonade works well—until you reach your deepest pink. This gradual swap creates a lovely layered ombré effect across a set of lollipops.
Because these lollipops are made from melted chewy candy rather than traditional hard-candy recipes, they can remain a bit sticky. Avoid stacking them directly on top of one another. Use them as edible cupcake toppers, tuck them into cellophane bags for Valentine’s gifts, or present them as favors at parties.
All photos by Studio DIY
If melting Airheads isn’t your thing, try using them in other projects—conversation heart cakes are a fun alternative and a great way to use the candy without melting.
For more Valentine’s Day DIY projects, explore other craft ideas and tutorials for simple, festive treats and decorations.