Can I tell you about my latest Saturday morning?
I promise you I’ll be quick since I know the main reason you’re here is for the lollipops!
Anyways, this past Saturday I had a lovely morning…
With the tree decorated, the house clean, the kids on vacation (no homework!), AND, no kids sporting events to attend, I managed to spend the morning relaxing in front of a warm fire, coffee in hand, watching Ina on the Food Network Channel.
You all know who Ina is, right?
No worries if you don’t. After all, my celebrity savvy husband, Ian, had no clue who Ina was when he joined me in front of the fire to watch Food Network TV with me.
Here’s how our conversation went…
Ian-”What are you watching?”
Me-”I’m watching The Barefoot Contessa on a holiday food tour of London.”
Ian-”Who????”
Me-”You know…Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa.”
Ian {with glazed look in his eyes}-”Huh??????”
OK-I think you get the picture…
Ian is no stranger to cooking shows but his tastes run more towards Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, than the likes of Ina.
But, I’ll let you in on a little secret…
Londonophile that he is, a few minutes in to Ina’s foodie tour of London, Ian was hooked!
Which brings me to this lollipop post.
In the episode we watched, Ina visits a chocolate shop in London where they make lollipops. She then demonstrates how to make them for her effortlessly chic yet causal holiday luncheon {all you Ina fan’s know what I’m talking about!}, and Ian {and SiSi now awake and watching with us} both announce how easy it would be to make our own chocolate lollipops.
So…
Off I went to the store in search of lollipop sticks and lollipop fixins’…
Truth be told, it IS easy, and a super fun holiday vacation activity for kids and adults alike!
Here’s how you do it…
Homemade Chocolate Lollipops Just Like Ina’s
- Lollipop sticks {I made a mad dash to the mall to buy them at Sur La Table}
- Chocolate Chips of choice {We used milk, white, and dark chocolate}
- Toppings of Choice {This is the fun part…We used crushed candy canes; chopped nuts-walnuts, and pecans; dried fruit-wild blueberries, tart cherries, and chopped apricots; chopped candied ginger; sunflower seeds; chopped mini marshmallows; and chopped Heath bars. The topping possibilities are limited only by your imagination!!!!}
- Baking sheets covered with parchment paper.
To make: Get all you toppings ready first. Then, place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl {use seperate bowl for each type of chocolate} and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir chips then microwave again for another 30 seconds and stir again. Repeat this process until chocolate is smooth and melted. Do this for each type of chocolate, then you are ready to assemble the lollipops. Scoop up melted chocolate on a large teaspoon and carefully hold the spoon vertically above the parchament paper letting the chocolate drop on to the paper in a circle. Smooth edges as necessary with your spoon. Next, place top of lollipop stick on melted chocolate about 1/3 of the way from the bottom. Press gently into chocolate to secure, then decorate with toppings to your hearts desire! Place baking sheets in fridge to cool. After 5-10 minutes you will be able to enjoy! {P.S. Here’s the link to Ina’s recipe.}
SiSi and her friend “An” helped me make a bunch yesterday.
Funny how Ian, the instigator in lollipop making, managed to watch his beloved Chargers instead of helping us make the lollipops. He did manage to enjoy a lolly though, and the Chargers even won, so I guess it was good he was cheering them on to victory 
No matter though…
These were so fun and easy to make that we will be making a bunch more to give out as presents this year.
Happy Holidays!!!
Are you a Barefoot Contessa fan like me? Ladies-Does you husband or significant other have any idea who Ina is? What would be your favorite lollipop toppings????
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“Variety is the very spice of life that gives it all it’s flavour.”
William Cowper, 1785. 
My daughter will love making these with me! Thanks, EA. And my husband knows exactly who Jeffrey is! LOL
You and your daughter will have great fun making these! I’m going to tell my hubby that your hubby knows exactly who Ina is
These are so cute EA and a project that I need to do NOW!! My kids have mommyitis… I think I’ve heard “mommy what can we do” about 50 million times today… this would be so much fun for them! Now to find some lollipop sticks and I’ll be set =)
He, he! My kids are out with their grandparents today so my house is nice and quiet
Your kids will love lollipop making, although I will warn you there may be splattered chocolate everywhere! Enjoy!
What a fun idea! These look delicious!
I love Ina..She is so funny when she always talks about Jeffrey! He’s got it good!
Ha! Ha! You’re so right-that Jeffry does have it good
I live for that show. I seldom get to watch with the two young cartoon watchers in the house, but when I do, I think to myself “How fabulous was that?”
My kids are slowly expanding their TV repoitoire…Actually, my daughter enjoys watching the cooking shows with me, but my son, not so much!
How can you not know who Thee Contessa is?? Too funny..MEN!
They are SO BEAUTIFUL!!! Lucky kiddos in your house! Merry Christmas!
MEN-Don’t get me started
Merry Christmas to you too Teri!
These are so beautiful! They must’ve been fun to make – any lucky recipient will be swooning with delight. And no weird, unpronounceable chemicals like in store-bought ones. I am an Ina fan all the way over here in Scotland (I’m American though), but my daughter and I think she laughs like a calling seagull! We do love her food though, and her oh-so-chic soirees that would be impossible to recreate without a beach house and good weather. Not jealous, not a bit! Anyway, loved your post. And yes, hubby knows who Ina is, but wouldn’t like to admit it…
Thanks Kellie! Now you have me so curious…I’m definitely going to listen for the Seagull call next time I watch Ina
reading this post made me smile ! i haven’t had lollipops in a longtime …they look gorgeous & festive. merry christmas !!
Thanks Shruti! Sending lots more smiles your way, and Merry Christmas to you too
awww the kids must have had a blast! i can’t wait to cook and bake with my kids
Its a good thing that I’m not making an attempt at this. really! They look insanely delicious and i would have probably eaten half of them while making it. lol.
I like her but was slightly turned off by her media mess a few months back. I hate to judge without all the details, but the media made her look pretty nasty. I do watch her show, but there are others that I like better…and of course some that I like less. The lollies look great, minus any peppermint since I am allergic.
These sound fantastic!! And they are so pretty (maybe too pretty to eat….Maybe….).
I don’t watch In a on the Food Network, at all actually. I do know who she is but she has her show on during the day, when I don’t watch the Food Network. I have seen her pop up in other Food Network shows though, and I know she has some serious talent in the kitchen (and decorating)! She is like the Food Network’s Martha Stewart.
These look fabulous; what a beautiful post. I love your blog and your photography is amazing! So happy to have found you.
Happy New Year!