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Old Fashioned Suckers

Old Fashioned Suckers are the simple hard candy suckers you had as a kid. They are basic. They aren’t the flashy swirled lollipops. But they are delicious and will take you back to your childhood.

A while back I asked my friends a bunch of questions to help me with some inspiration for blog posts. One friend said she wanted Old Fashioned Suckers like the kind when we were kids. Brilliant. I loved those suckers. 

As I was doing research, 2 things stuck out to me. 1. These suckers have very similar ingredients to the marshmallows. And 2. Suckers and lollipops are the same thing.

Number 2 may be a no brainer for you, but in my mind not all suckers are lollipops. But the definition for lollipops is hard candy on a stick. I think of lollipops as the swirled brightly colored suckers.  

Lollipops date back to the Middle Ages or at least the first written history of them. They may have looked very different, however. The lollipops that we know now date back to the early 20th century. However, there is debate on who actually created them first. According to Food For Thought: Extraordinary Little Chronicles of the World, George Smith of New Haven, CT created them and named them after a race horse named Lolly Pop.  He trademarked the name Lollipop in 1931.

As for them having similar ingredients as marshmallows, the ingredients of basic marshmallows is sugar, water, corn syrup, gelatin, and vanilla extract. The ingredients of these suckers is sugar, water, corn syrup, and flavoring. It’s amazing how the whipping of the sugar changes it so drastically. Even after making marshmallows a zillion times, I am still amazed how adding air to the sugar changes it from a clear liquid to a brilliant white confection.

I am terrible at most science stuff, however I do know a few food science things. When you bring the sugar mixture to a boil, it will reach 212 degrees Fahrenheit  pretty quickly. Because of the water in the mixture it won’t go over 212 until all the water has evaporated. Water will never go over the temperature of 212. It boils at that temperature to let off steam and allow it cool slightly to remain at 212. Sugar however will get to temperatures over 212. After all the water has evaporated the mixture will thicken and the bubbles will be foamier.

Before you get started, you’ll need a few things.

Old Fashioned Suckers

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Spray the sucker molds lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Add sugar, water and corn syrup to a medium pan over medium heat. Stir to combine and heat until sugar dissolves.
  3. Bring to a boil and cook until mixture reaches just under 300 degrees. Stirring occasionally.
  4. Remove from heat. Add flavor and food coloring. Stir until combined. (See note before adding flavor.)
  5. Pour into sucker molds and allow to harden before removing.
  6. Store in an airtight container.
  7. Enjoy!

Notes

The flavor oil can be VERY strong. I suggest turning your head when you add it and stir it in.

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Nicole

Tuesday 3rd of September 2024

What kind of molds did you use? Where did you find the molds? If you used metal molds, where can I find them?

Kerry

Tuesday 3rd of September 2024

The molds that I used are silicone. Here is link to the ones I used. https://amzn.to/3AQeNIM If you need a link to the sticks, candy thermometer, or flavor oil they are just above the recipe card.

Jennifer

Friday 2nd of August 2024

How much flavoring and food color do you add?

Kerry

Monday 5th of August 2024

For the flavoring, it's 1 dram of LorAnn Oil Flavoring. A dram is .125 fluid ounces. Food coloring is your preference. I added color until I was happy.

Michelle

Sunday 28th of July 2024

How many does this make?

Michelle

Tuesday 17th of December 2024

@Kerry C, a full batch can make 30-35 depending on your mold sizes

Kerry C

Tuesday 30th of July 2024

@Michelle, I'm sorry, I don't remember.

Lee

Monday 15th of May 2023

Hello, the lollipops I remember did not have a flavor, they just tasted like sugary syrup. If I am trying to make those in particular, do I need to add the flavoring? Thanks!

Kerry

Saturday 20th of May 2023

I haven't had suckers like that. But I would imagine you wouldn't add the flavor. It's worth a try.

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