the invisible pop show down

My attempt at making the Invisible Pops from Martha Stewart resulted in a fair number of usable lollipops, a possibly ruined pot and measuring cup, and one small stove fire. Just a small one. I found the recipe to be easy to follow and even without any added flavoring they actually taste pretty good. I made two batches and followed the directions exactly and my pops still turned out slightly yellow, instead of the way cool clear of Martha's. (When I put on my Fall apron I like to pretend we are on a first name basis.)

Martha's

Mine

I found that the candy hardened quickly, especially to the inside of the saucepan. Happily, I had read the reviews of others who had attempted these lollipops and so I used an old pan. Catastrophe avoided. 

I chose to use lollipop molds instead of pouring free form onto paper. I should have just poured away. I found the molds difficult to use because the candy mixture kept overflowing the small pop cups. I did try a few free form ones at the end and they turned out OK, so if I make these again I will keep the molds in the cupboard.

The next step was adding the candy corn to the pop. This was not so easy. I pushed each piece down as far as I could, which resulted in a few burns on the tip of my left index finger. They were not completely encased in the hot candy, so I figured they would sink as the lollipop cooled. This did not happen. So each pop has the candy corn sticking up a little.

OK, so all in all they didn't turn out so bad. They are not nearly as beautiful as the photo shopped image from Martha Stewart. (That's right, I don't know if it's my burned fingers or the sugar high I'm on but I am currently not on speaking terms with Martha. This has happened before. Like always, it will blow over.) But they are cute. And maybe it's just because I am surrounded by monster trucks and sticky boys in my world over here but I'm thinking that little bugs would look great "trapped" inside these pops. Now I just have to figure out how to make edible bugs...









it is officially Fall at Bethfork

Better late than never but it is now officially Fall at Bethfork. I finally finished hauling the rest of the Halloween/Fall decorations up from the basement and I found my Fall apron. Mock me if you must; I know my loving husband occasionally finds my aprons smile worthy. But I love them. I put one on and I am instantly transformed from chaotic to calm. Not only calm, nearly fearless. Which is why tomorrow I am going to try to make these:

Now, knowing these are Martha Stewart's lollipops I did my homework. I read the reviews and agree with those brave women who have already tried this recipe - it cannot be humanly possible to get these into a perfectly round shape without help. I doubt I could get them into anything even close to resembling a circle. So I will be using molds. I also think I will be adding some type of flavoring - the very simple recipe sounds very simply too sweet. I am thinking cherry, if I can find it.

Now this might not seem like that daunting of a challenge, but I am not a baker or a candy girl. I cook meals. Appetizers. The occasional coffee cake. Sometimes I even branch out into cookies. But I haven't made anything requiring a candy thermometer in years. And yes, I do not plan to use my calphalon. On the off chance the candy mixture completely melts itself into the metal I want to be using something I don't mind throwing away.

So, wish me luck! And stay tuned- photo's to follow!