Acid Pops – Harry Potter Inspired

Homemade lollipops:

1. Caution when working with hot sugar, it can cause serious burns. Keep the children away.
2. Prepare the molds: If using molds, spray or brush them lightly with oil. Place the wooden sticks in their place. If you don't have molds, brush two baking trays with oil. Set aside.
3. Prepare the candy base: Place the water, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan. Heat the mixture on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves - it will not take long. When the sugar is dissolved, stop stirring, increase the heat and let the mixture cook without stirring until the temperature of the sugar reaches 300°F/ 148°C. The mixture should be only lightly amber-colored. This should take about 5 minutes.⅓ cup water/ 80 ml + 1 cup granulated sugar/ 200 g + 8 drops lemon juice
4. Add flavor and color: Take off the heat and quickly but carefully stir in the lemon flavor and the food coloring.¼ teaspoon lemon flavor + yellow food coloring
5. Shape the lollipops: Spoon the melted sugar into the lollipop molds or on the baking trays. If using trays, place a small circle of hot candy on it, place a wooden stick on the hot sugar circle, press, and turn it lightly to make sure the stick has candy all over. If necessary, place a drop of extra candy on the stick to make sure it holds.
6. Tip: If the candy hardens before you are finished, reheat it on the stove, on low heat, until it is liquid again.
7. Let the pops harden, then remove them from the molds or from the tray.

Acid coating:

1. Acid coating: In a small bowl, mix the sugar, citric acid, and baking soda.4 tablespoons granulated sugar + 2 tablespoons citric acid + 1 tablespoon baking soda
2. Dip the lollipops (either homemade or 15-20 ready-bought lollipops) very briefly in a bowl of water. Remove the excess water with paper towels; they should be sticky but not wet.
3. Coat in acid: Turn to coat in the acid coating.
4. Stand them upright in jars (they should not touch each other) and repeat with the remaining acid pops (Note 3).