These pretty chocolate lollipops make ideal last-minute stocking stuffers or small gifts for friends and family. Personalise each one, tie with a ribbon and you have an affordable, cheerful and elegant present. No specialist chocolate molds required.
Homemade edible gifts are a lovely and thoughtful option for the holidays, birthdays, teacher gifts or as a thank-you for a host. They’re often surprisingly quick and simple to prepare. Popular choices include dried orange slices, candied orange slices, or a freshly baked tray of cinnamon scrolls. These chocolate lollipops are particularly handy because they’re quick to make and easy to customise.
I first saw these on an episode of the Barefoot Contessa where Ina Garten visited a chocolate maker and learned how to put these together. The technique is straightforward and yields attractive results even if you don’t consider yourself a baker.
Why you’ll love them
- Fast to make in batches. Spoon tablespoon-sized pools of chocolate onto baking paper, press a stick into each, then add decorations. You’ll have many lollipops in a short time and they’re cost-effective.
- Great for all ages. Decorate with candy for kids or with nuts, dried fruit and more refined toppings for adults. You can mix and match to suit the recipient.
- They look professional. With a little care and a neat presentation they appear as polished as store-bought confections. A small ribbon or scrap of fabric gives a finished look.
Ingredients and equipment
Chocolate: Any type will work — milk, dark or white. Use a mix of bars or candy to vary flavour and texture. A 200 g (7 oz) bar typically makes about a dozen small lollipops.
White chocolate (optional): Melted white chocolate drizzled over finished lollipops adds contrast and a polished appearance.
Decorations: Be creative — chopped dried mango, dried orange, candied orange slices, other dried fruits, raw cashews, pistachios, chopped fudge, pecans, crushed candies or chopped candy bars all work well. Small shaped chocolates or tiny sprinkles add charm.
Other items: Small wooden or paper lollipop sticks, baking or non-stick paper, trays or boards, and clear cellophane bags and ribbon for packaging.
How to make them
Step 1: Line baking trays or wooden boards with baking or non-stick paper.
Step 2: Break the chocolate into pieces and place in small glass or ceramic bowls. Melt gently — in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between bursts until almost fully melted, or over a double boiler. Leaving a little unmelted chocolate and stirring it in helps the chocolate set with a smooth finish.
Step 3: Spoon tablespoon-sized rounds of melted chocolate onto the prepared paper. Press a lollipop stick into each round about one third of the way through, giving the stick a small twist to help it anchor.
Step 4: Quickly sprinkle on your chosen decorations while the chocolate is still wet, then leave the lollipops to harden completely at room temperature.
Step 5: Once set, wrap each lollipop in a clear gift bag and tie with ribbon. They make charming, professional-looking gifts and are surprisingly satisfying to give.
Pro tip: Arrange all your toppings in small bowls before you begin so you can decorate each lollipop quickly before the chocolate sets.
How to enjoy them
These lollipops are versatile — aside from gifting, here are other ways to enjoy them:
- Store in a cool, dry cupboard and give as an occasional treat to children or visitors.
- Serve with coffee after a meal to surprise and delight guests.
- Make themed versions for Halloween, baby showers (use pink or blue candies), bridal showers or weddings by choosing suitable colours and toppings.
Variations
Change colours and flavours by using different chocolates or by tinting white chocolate with natural food colouring. Candy melts are another convenient option and come in many colours. For adult-oriented lollipops try adding a piece of candied orange or spiced nut topping for a refined touch.
Recipe FAQ and tips
Microwave in short 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until nearly melted. Finish stirring to melt the remaining solids — this helps the chocolate set smoothly. If you prefer, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, ensuring the bowl does not touch the water.
Once wrapped, store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container. Avoid refrigerating where possible, as condensation can cause sugar bloom (a whitish film). Made and stored properly, they should keep well for several weeks; for best quality prepare within two weeks of gifting.
At room temperature they usually set in about 10–15 minutes. On warm days you can chill them briefly in the refrigerator for 5–10 minutes to speed up setting, but allow them to return to room temperature before packaging to avoid condensation.
More simple food gift ideas
- Package a pan or box of freshly baked goods such as bars, scrolls or slices for an easy, heartfelt present.
- Dip pretzels in chocolate and decorate for a quick, delicious gift.
- Make batches of rocky road, chocolate bark or chocolate rocks for seasonal treats that travel well.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below to share how it went — I’d love to hear about your variations and favourite toppings.
Chocolate Lollipops (Homemade Food Gift)
Equipment
- Clear treat bags
- Wooden lollipop sticks
Ingredients
- 7 ounces (about 200 g) chocolate (milk, dark, or white)
- 1.75 ounces white chocolate for decorating (optional)
- Edible decorations of your choice (dried fruit, nuts, chopped candies, sprinkles, etc.)
Other items
- Small lollipop sticks
- Clear cellophane gift bags
- Ribbon or fabric scraps for tying
Instructions
- Line baking trays with baking or non-stick paper.
- Break chocolate into pieces and melt gently in a microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring until nearly melted, or melt over a double boiler.
- Spoon heaped tablespoons of melted chocolate onto the paper. Insert a lollipop stick about one third of the way through each chocolate round, twisting slightly to secure.
- Quickly add decorations while the chocolate is still soft, then allow the lollipops to harden completely.
- Wrap each lollipop in a clear bag and tie with ribbon.
Notes
This idea is inspired by a method seen on Ina Garten’s show. Melting chocolate just until most of it is soft and then stirring the remaining bits helps the chocolate set with a smooth, glossy finish. Nutrition values are approximate and do not include optional toppings.
Nutrition (approx.)
Per lollipop: Calories 106; Carbohydrates 12 g; Fat 6 g; Saturated fat 4 g; Sugar 10 g.