Homemade honey lollipops are a fun, simple way to make homemade candy with no refined or added sugars. These homemade lavender vanilla honey lollipops are perfect for enjoying on their own or as a tea spoon.
Homemade honey lollipops are so simple to make that you’ll always have a batch on hand for a sweet tooth craving or sore throat. You may also enjoy our Homemade Rose Honey Lollipops. They are a perfect natural throat soothing remedy, and are so delicious. And if you’re looking for a fun party favor – check out our Edible flower lollipops for party favors
Lavender + honey + vanilla is such a dreamy combination and these all natural hard candies are free from any unusual and questionable ingredients, something store bought candy often contains.
How to use homemade honey lollipops:
- As a honey tea spoon, just dip the candy into your tea and let it melt.
- As a cough drop when you’re under the weather. Just consume like you would a cough drop or lollipop.
- As a party favor. Wrap the candy in cellophane wrap to gift them!
Ingredients:
- Lavender infused Honey – if possible use Manuka honey. Manuka honey is the only type that can withstand heat and still maintain some health benefits. It’s our favorite and the best for candy making. See next step for how to source lavender infused honey.
- Vanilla extract – for the beautiful vanilla flavor. You could also use Lavender Extract if you have some!
- Cream of tartar – to help prevent the candy from cracking. Works like a charm!
Where to get lavender infused honey:
You can buy some or make some at home! Read our entire post on making flower infused honey, in a nutshell: You let lavender infuse for 4-6 weeks in an airtight container. You strain your flowers and herbs from the honey and use however you’d like!
There’s also a faster method which includes simply heating your lavender in your honey and so that the honey takes on the flavor quickly, and straining your honey mixture before you pour it into your molds.
Tools you need to make honey candy:
- Medium – large sauce pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Candy thermometer
- Lollypop mold
- Candy sticks
How to make:
Add your lavender honey, cream of tar tar and vanilla extract to a medium to – large sauce pan and mix until well combined. You need a larger sauce pan because this recipe bubbles up and you do not want it to pour over the sides (it will be a sticky mess!)
Heat your honey over low-medium heat with a candy thermometer immersed. Heat until honey reaches 300 Β° F or 148 Β° C. Do this very slowly, it will take some time. If you heat your honey too quickly it will taste scorched. If it seems your honey isn’t increasing in temperature, increase your heat very slowly and surely. It’s a labor of love. Candy making quickly goes from “done” to “burnt” so watch closely and increase very slowly, mixing continuously. It usually takes me about 10 minutes, and I usually have to slightly increase my temperature around five minutes and then am able to reduce it before my honey reaches 300 Β° F. This is why a candy thermometer is necessary, if your honey doesn’t reach this temperature the spoons will not harden and melt when removed from their molds.
Once your honey has reached 300 Β° F turn off your heat and give your honey a good stir until the bubbles have settled. If you used rose petals you can leave them in or strain them out, but work quickly to get your honey into your molds. After your honey reaches the “hard crack” stage, it hardens quickly. Pour the honey into your prepared lollipop molds and let them sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Either way, they should harden nicely if your honey reached the threshold temperature necessary for hard candy.
Let them sit for at least two hours. Once your lollipops are hardened, carefully remove them from their molds and enjoy!
How to clean up:
Because the honey hardens quickly, you want to use very hot water on your cooking utensils to remove the honey residue. I usually let my pots and spoons sit in very hot water for a short while and wash it after it has cooled to prevent burning myself.
Frequently asked questions:
How do I store them when they’re done?
The honey lollipops will be slightly sticky, like any hard candy would be. I personally store all of ours in a storage container in the fridge for up to three months. Their stickiness does not cause them to stick together in a way I can not easily remove them in my experience. But if you’re planning to gift them, and want to individually wrap them – read below.
How can I individually wrap them?
The honey lollipops will be slightly sticky, like any hard candy would be. I personally store all of ours in a storage container in the fridge for up to three months. Their stickiness does not cause them to stick together in a way I can not easily remove them in my experience. But if you’re planning to gift them, use some cellophane wrap, like these small lollipop wrappers with twist ties.
How long do they keep for?
Store up to one month at room temperature. Or up to three months in the refrigerator. Or up to six months in the freezer.
Can I freeze these honey candies?
Yes. I would individually wrap each pop to prevent freezer burn.
Can I add or omit any flavors?
Absolutely. This recipe is completely adaptable to your liking and needs. Add a drop of food grade peppermint essential oil ( an ingredient found in ALL peppermint candies ) or some lemon for a lemon kick.
Love healthy homemade lollipops? Give these a try!
Love making your own candy? Check out these recipes or our homemade candy category for later!
Homemade lavender vanilla honey lollipops
Ingredients
- 1 cup lavender infused honey honey OR 1 cup honey with 2 tablespoon dried organic lavender buds
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
Instructions
- Prepare your lollipop mold by adding sticks into your mold before you start
- Add lavender infused honey or honey + organic lavender buds, vanilla extract, and cream of tar tar into a medium to – large sauce pan and mix until well combined. You need a larger sauce pan because this recipe bubbles up and you do not want it to pour over the sides.
Heat your honey over low-medium heat with a candy thermometer immersed. - Heat until honey reaches 300 Β° F or 148 Β° C. Do this very slowly, it will take some time. If you heat your honey too quickly it will taste scorched. If it seems your honey isn't increasing in temperature, increase your heat very slowly and surely. It usually takes me about 10 minutes, and I usually have to slightly increase my temperature around five minutes and then am able to reduce it before my honey reaches 300 Β° F.
- Once your honey has reached 300 Β° F turn off your heat and give your honey a good stir until the bubbles have settled. If you used lavender buds you can leave them in or strain them out, but work quickly to get your honey into your molds. After your honey reaches the "hard crack" stage, it hardens quickly.
- Pour the honey into your prepared lollipop molds and let them sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Either way, they should harden nicely if your honey reached the threshold temperature necessary for hard candy.
- Let them sit for at least two hours. Once your lollipops are hardened, carefully remove them from their molds and enjoy!
Notes
- Individually Wrap honey spoons in candy wrapper if possible because they are sticky!
- Be patient, it takes a long time for the honey to reach this temperature. Don't increase your temperature quickly, or your lollipops will taste scorched
- Add some organic lavender in your molds or on your lollipops if you're feeling fancy!
- Store up to one month at room temperature. Or up to three months in the refrigerator. Or up to six months in the freezer.
Diane says
Hello Sarah!
These vanilla honey lavender lollipops look amazing, and I canβt wait to try them! How would I incorporate lemon into them, either with zest or juice? Thank you for sharing, I canβt wait to show my daughter and enjoy making them with her.
Take care, and Happy New year from Georgia, USA!
sarah says
Hi Diane! The lemon addition would be truly delicious! I recommend adding lemon zest, food grade lemon essential oil, or a little lemon extract. Happy new year to you and all of your loved ones.
xo Sarah