National Candy Day

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Ranked #3,212 in Food, #59,906 overall

Celebrate in Summertime with some Flower Power

Our latest Rocket Moms assignment is to create a Holiday lens. I didn't really want to do Christmas, I mean it's only May right? Or at least it was when I wrote this lens :o) One of the other Moms very thoughtfully posted a link to a list of some lesser known holidays, so I decided to check it out.

Did you know there was a National Candy Day? I sure didn't! Aside from being a happy revelation (and I am SO going to celebrate it this year) it gave me the perfect solution to my holiday lens dilemma. Outside of Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, what could possibly be better? Now I know it may not be November at the moment, but since this is a great anytime treat I decided now is the perfect time to make this lens.

These little candy pops are inexpensive to make and perfect for holidays, parties, and family gatherings. Do them up in pinks and blues for a fun little baby shower favor (and check out the adorable twisty ties I found further down this lens). Stick two or three in a coffee mug or small flowerpot as a hostess gift or a pick me up present for a friend, or give it along with a birthday gift as a little something extra. I've even taken them along as a kids dessert for potlucks at church, and they were as big a hit with the grownups as they were with the kids (who knew? :o) Enjoy!

 

Let's look at some of the things we will need to start... 

Candy melts & something squeezable

Wiltons Candy Melts come in all different hues; I usually try to use at least 4-5 so we get a nice colorful "bouquet". I used what I had left on hand for this lens, so it's not quite the explosion of color it usually is. Remember you can alternate your colors - a purple flower with a blue center can also be a blue flower with a purple center (gotta stretch that budget :o)

The official Wiltons squeeze bottle is nice, but a lot of hassle (and expense) if you are using several different colors. Wiltons also makes heavy cake decorating bags (disposable) that work just as well for a lot less headache. Just snip the end after you melt your candy to use them with your molds.

We'll also need 

Candy molds, lollipop sticks & masking tape

Because variety is the spice of life, I like to use at least two different flower molds (but if you only have one, don't worry!)

I also like to use both the short and long lollipop sticks to give our bouquet some height in the back.

While the candy is melting in the microwave (follow the directions on the bag), I cut some strips of tape to secure my lollipop sticks to the molds.

Fill your centers 

and secure your sticks

Fill the centers of each flower being careful not to drift into petal territory. You can alternate colors or make all the centers the same and save your color for the petals. Use a paper plate or coffee mug to hold the bags you are not using at the moment, this will help keep the mess to a minimum.

Place the sticks a little above the middle of your "centers" and secure them with masking tape strips; this helps keep them securely in place.

Get your container ready while the candy is setting up 

Make sure all of your sticks are down in the candy (sometimes even with the tape they can pull up and out). If you want your candy to set up more quickly, you can pop the molds in the fridge.

I love this big plastic flowerpot for my lollipops, it looks spectacular on a dessert table! If you are only making a few pops for a friend, try using a small clay pot or coffee mug. Floral foam (or Styrofoam) is perfect for arranging your pops; I had some leftover Easter grass that I used to cover the foam.

Just add a bow and you're good to go :o)

While we're waiting for the candy to set, vote for your favorite obscure holiday 

(or add one I've missed :o)

1

Vote Up
Vote Down

National Candy Day (Boo-Yeah!)

November 4th2 points

2

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Vote Down

National Chocolate Brownie Day (Works for me)

December 8th2 points

3

Vote Up
Vote Down

National Pizza Day (if you're not into sweets)

February 9th1 point

4

Vote Up
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National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day (Yum)

May 15th1 point

5

Vote Up
Vote Down

National Smores Day (for all you campers)

August 10th1 point

6

Vote Up
Vote Down

National Acorn Squash Day (for all you health nuts :o)

September 7th1 point

7

Vote Up
Vote Down

National Cheese Doodle Day (They're in the dairy group)

March 5th0 points

8

Vote Up
Vote Down

National Dry Martini Day (for all you sophisticates :o)

June 19th0 points

9

Vote Up
Vote Down

National Lobster Newburg Day (for all you rich folks :o)

March 25th0 points

10

Vote Up
Vote Down

National Junk Food Day (for the indecisive)

July 21st0 points

For extra fun, add some "dirt" 

Not only does this make for some great visual fun, it adds an another treat to the pot. Bake a batch of brownies or chocolate fudge and cut into bite-sized pieces. Cover the foam with waxed paper and arrange your pops, then place the brownies or fudge on top mounding them up slightly at the center to look just like dirt :o)

Ta-Dah! 

:o)

So tell me, are you going to celebrate National Candy Day this year? 

I've already got it on my calendar :o)

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Lensmaster Wysiwigs has been a member since April 21 2008, has rated 941 lenses, favorited 630, and has created 53 lenses from scratch. Jen donates their royalties to Epic Farms. This member's top-ranked page is "Momography: Parenting a Deaf Child". See all my lenses

by Wysiwigs

I'm a daughter, wife, mother, artist, horse crazy grownup, scary christian chick, paper folding fiend, acronym junkie, breast cancer survivor and Derm... (more)

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