It really doesn't fall into a cake category, but making lollipops is so much fun! The kids and I make lollipops every Valentine's Day for their teachers, grandparents, and classmates. It all started when I was 10 year old girl living in North Carolina. Lollipops were all the rage! Do you remember when those big round pops were being sold everywhere? Well, Moms everywhere started buying lollipop molds and making them for school fundraisers (and just for fun)! My Mom developed a special hard candy chocolate lollipop that is our favorite to this day.

How this tradition started:

In 1990, Jennifer, one of my sister's best friends, battled and lost to brain cancer at age 15. My sister Sarah and the other girls from the original foursome started a scholarship fund in Jennifer's name. This scholarship fund (Friends of the Jennifer M. Corbett Rainbow Scholarship Fund) still exists today. Each year, a scholarship is awarded to a Watertown High School student who exemplifies Jennifer's exceptional scholarship, leadership, and diligence. The girls made thousands of lollipops in our family kitchen to earn money for the scholarship. The kids and I feel proud to have made a mere 5 batches (all the same kind and shape, even!).

Gathering your materials:

If you want to try your hand at lollipops you will need a few ingredients and tools:

• A good candy thermometer

• A nice thick sturdy pot

• Candy Flavorings

• Nestle’s Choco Bake (for chocolate lollipops)

• Liquid white food coloring (for opaque pops)

• Lollipop sticks and bags

• A Marble slab (for cooling)

• Sprinkles or other adornment

Lollipops are quick and easy to make, but they do require some patience and a lot of adult supervision. Plan on some sticky clean-up after you are finished with this activity. The process is described in the section below. Here is a printable recipe.