Lollypops on a Stick Cookies {Guest Post}

 A few days ago, I ran across these cookies on Flickr, and was so impressed that I shared them on my Facebook page.  Instantly, there were requests for a tutorial.  So, I went straight to the source!

Luckily, Carolyn was more than happy to share and immediately prepared this amazing tutorial! 

I’ve seen similar cookies before, but I have always been a little intimidated by them.  But after reading this, I feel like I can do it.

I also love the fact that these are a perfect last-minute fourth of July cookie, because they don’t need to dry overnight.  Now, I better let Carolyn take over!

***************************************************

Hi, I’m Carolyn from Occasional Cookies!  As a tremendous fan for Callye’s cookies, it is a real honor to be guest posting!  I remember the first time I stumbled upon her designs I was completely “cookie-struck”.  I was pretty new in my own decorating and could hardly believe the amazing things she was creating.  I am inspired by her designs consistently, so for me to inspire others is a huge delight!  So thank YOU!!!
 
The idea for these cookies came to me at school one day, (I’m a PE teacher), when the art teacher and I enjoyed some real lollipops  in the teachers lounge.  We were admiring how pretty they were when I was hit with the cookie whammy!  “I could totally make a cookie like this.”  My cookie mind went home that night (in cookie overdrive) hoping that my 2 year old and 3 month old would give me a sliver of time to try out my idea.  I was so excited that it worked exactly as I visioned.  Here’s what I did.

Gather these supplies:

  •  your favorite sugar cookie recipe
  •  americolor food colorings in royal blue (or sky blue), super red, and bright white
  •  sticks
  •  off set spatula 
  • a silicone mat to work on


Seperate your dough into thirds. Coloring the dough-the messy part. Use a generous amount of white to color one portion (8-10 drops, depending on how big your section of dough is).  You may need to add a little more flour as you go since you are adding a liquid coloring.  You do not want the dough to be sticky, so just sprinkle flour in as needed.  Start with about 5 drops of red in the other section and 5 of blue in the last section.   
 
Knead the coloring in with your hands.  If you want to add more color in, go for it!

  
You can chill your dough for 30 minutes or so, but it’s not always necessary if it rolls out without sticking to your hands or mat.
 
Pinch off about a 1 inch piece from white and roll into a 2 inch log between your hands.  Repeat with red, then blue.  Stack the logs in a pyramid on your silicone mat.  I don’t flour the surface.  You want a little “traction” between the dough and mat as you are rolling it out.  If your dough is too sticky add more flour or chill in fridge for 30 minutes or so. 


Start, with one hand, to roll the dough into a snake.  Think back to your days of playdoh! 


 Eventually you will need both hands to roll out a 12-15 inch snake.  Don’t let the snake to too thin, or you will have issues with breakage. 


Now it’s time to twist the snake.  I do this by rolling the right side up and the left side down.  So my snake now is vertical. 

 
Coiling the snake.  Start at the bottom and coil up.up.up.  There is no need to press the sides together, they will bake together.


 
Use your offset spatula to transfer your coil to parchment lined cookie sheets. 


 When your sheet is full chill in the freezer for 5 minutes.  You want to chill it just enough so that inserting your stick is easy and does not deform your coil.
Insert your sticks. I push the stick about 3/4 of the way up. 

I like the look of the skinny popsicle sticks, but sucker sticks work too.
 
At this point you can also sprinkle on some sugar or disco dust.  I like to take a pinch of rainbow disco dust and give a light dusting on each cookie.  It really sparkles it up. 
 
Bake them up.  Make sure not to underbake.  Let them cool completely.  Wrap in a clear treat bag an tie with pretty ribbon.  What a happy treat!  I hope you have fun creating these.  What a great cookie project for the little ones in your life too.  The color combinations are pretty endless.

Exciting huh!!!  Just looking at these pretty colors make me want to start baking!  I would like to thank Carolyn again for preparing this EXCEPTIONAL tutorial!  Please take the time to thank her too!  You can see more of Carolyn’s work by visiting her Flickr Page, or also at her blog, Occasional Cookies

I’m hoping to see these on a lot of your baking lists for this weekend!

Happy, late night cooler baking!