Make Your Own Party Favor Lollipops

This post was written in honor of the fight against ovarian cancer, in an effort sponsored by Modern Mom and Buttoned Up. See the end of the post to vote in Kelly Ripa’s Cake Off:  for every vote, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

The only problem with these lollipops is that they look so dang good that people think you just went out and bought them. So if you want to get credit for your efforts, I suggest either bragging shamelessly, writing “Made by Me” on the packaging, or making them kinda sloppily.

When my daughter was turning 5, we made these together (with her 4-year-old sister) for a Valentine-themed birthday party. We had a lovely time: the recipe is no-nonsense and the only non-supermarket ingredients are the lollipop sticks, which we found at a craft store. (Popsicle sticks could be substituted but wouldn’t be quite as elegant.)

Chocolate-Covered Lollipops

(adapted from Parents magazine)

Makes 16 pops

• 15 caramel squares
• 32 vanilla wafers
• 16 lollipop sticks
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• sprinkles

1. Unwrap caramels and melt them in the microwave according to the package instructions.

2. While the caramel is still warm, quickly spoon small dollops onto the 16 wafers.

3. Place a lollipop stick in the center of the caramel dollop, and top with another wafer to make a cookie sandwich.

4. Melt chocolate chips according to package instructions. (We used the microwave.) Dunk each cookie sandwich and allow the excess to drip away.

5. Decorate lollipops with sprinkles and set to dry on a wax-paper-lined cookie sheet.

6. Chill for 5 to 10 minutes or until firm.

Since we used these as party favors, we slipped the cooled pops into cellophane treat bags (also available at craft stores) and tied them with thin red ribbon.

For goodie bags, my daughter personalized paper lunch bags with crayon hearts. Children used them to carry home the Valentine’s cards they created at the party and a couple of lollipops, which they picked from a bowl before leaving.

Be a Judge in a Cake Contest and Help Women in Need

Self-proclaimed baking enthusiast, Kelly Ripa, Buddy Valastro from TLC’s “Cake Boss,” and Electrolux are teaming up with a virtual campaign that offers Americans a sweet way to make a difference.

On February 9th, five teams of baking enthusiasts were invited to take part in Kelly’s Cake Off, where they used what they learned from Ripa and the Cake Boss to decorate their own cakes. You can help select the winning cake and support a worthy cause. For every vote cast in the Cake Off, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF).

While you are there, get in on the decorating action and send your own masterpiece. Visit Kelly’s Cakery to decorate and send your own special virtual cake to a friend, family member or loved one. For every cake sent, Electrolux will donate another $1 to OCRF.

Plus, to help spread the word, everyone who sends a virtual cake will be automatically entered for a chance to win every baker’s dream: a stylish new Induction Range from Electrolux. The new induction range is perfect for melting chocolate and cooking delicate foods and sauces, more responsive than gas, and eco-friendly, too.

You can also check out top cake decorating tips and videos from Buddy. Even sign up to receive a call from Kelly on your birthday!

Visit Kelly Ripa’s “Cakery For a Cause” to support the fight against Ovarian Cancer.  Thank you.

About Ovarian Cancer & the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer.  Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer.

The mission of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer. In support of their mission, the Fund helps patients and their loved ones understand the disease and its treatment, and provides outreach programs to raise public awareness.

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