Lollipops with Gumballs Inside

Step into a world of nostalgia and whimsy with a delightful twist on classic lollipops. Picture this: a round lollipop, perfectly shaped with a colourful gumball surprise hidden inside. These homemade lollipops with gumballs inside were among my favourite treats during my childhood. Every time I make them for my kids, they still capture the magic and innocence of those cherished moments.

Ingredients (9 lollipops)

240 ml (1 cup) light corn syrup, divided
135 g (2/3 cup) granulated sugar, divided
4-6 drops of flavoured extract, divided
9 small gumballs, I used Smarties bubblegum but any small gumballs would work

Other Supplies/Tools

9 lollipop sticks
a thermometer – a candy, meat or laser thermometer should work
a semicircle silicone mold. I used a silicone mold that had holes of 3.8 cm (1.5’’) in diameter. This mold was the best given the size of my gum balls. However, feel free to use different gum balls and silicone molds.
small pointy tool, see more details and instructions below
a kitchen torch to remove the air bubbles and smooth the surface of the lollipops

Directions

Use a small pointy tool to create a hole in the centre of each gumball. The hole should be wide enough so that you can insert the lollipop stick inside. I used a thin needle tool from a manicure set (that’s clean and only used in the kitchen) as well as the pointy end of a meat thermometer to widen the hole a bit.

Insert a lollipop stick in each gumball.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine half of the corn syrup and sugar. Stir until they reach a boil, then continue stirring occasionally until the mixture reaches 150°C (300°F) on the candy thermometer.

Remove the mixture from heat and stir 2-3 drops of your desired flavoured extract.

Carefully pour the hot syrup into each cavity of the semicircle silicone mold, almost all the way up to the edge of each cavity.

Before the syrup begins to harden, gently press a gumball onto the syrup, ensuring it’s half submerged. Once the gumball is in, the syrup should be fully filling the semicircle cavity of the silicone mold. Place something on the lollipop sticks that are hanging out to hold them in place and ensure the gumballs don’t sink into the syrup.

Let the first half of the lollipops cool completely within the mold until the syrup hardens and solidifies. This usually takes around 15-20 minutes. You can pop them in the fridge for a few minutes if you want to speed up this process.

Once fully cooled, gently remove the semicircle lollipops from the silicone mold.

While the semicircle lollipops cool, combine the remaining corn syrup and sugar in a saucepan. Use the same steps as above to melt this mixture until it reaches 150°C (300°F).

Carefully pour the hot syrup into each cavity of the semicircle silicone mold, almost all the way up to the edge of each cavity. Take the semicircle lollipops and gently press the part of the gumball that’s exposed into the syrup, connecting both lollipop parts securely.

Allow the lollipops to cool completely in the mold until the syrup hardens and fully sets.

Finally, remove the round lollipops with gumballs inside from the mold.

If desired, use a kitchen torch to remove the tiny bubbles on the surface of each lollipop.

To do this, move the flame of the kitchen torch over the surface of the lollipops and the bubbles should disappear instantly. Keep the flame at a moderate distance to avoid melting the lollipops or causing the syrup to burn. You can also use the torch to smooth out any visible seams on the lollipops. However, exercise caution when working with an open flame and be mindful of the heat’s intensity to prevent scorching or melting the lollipop.

To prevent your lollipops from becoming sticky, place each lollipop inside a bag, secure it with a twist tie or ribbon, and ensure it is sealed properly. Store them at room temperature in a cool and dry environment away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or high humidity.

These delightful lollipops with gumballs inside are not just tasty, but also a reminder of the joy that comes from the simplest things in life. Enjoy them!