Easy Ladybug Lovebug Lollipops

Making lollipops is easier than you think! You can make your own lollipops with only one main ingredient- Jolly Ranchers! Whether you're throwing a Valentine's Day party or a ladybug themed party, these little lovebugs are bound to be a crowd pleaser. And they're SO easy to make, trust me!

You might have seen my other lollipop posts in the past. If not, please check them out, because we made some adorable Santa lollipops at Christmas time, and some cute turkey lollipops for Thanksgiving. We love giving them to family and friends. They always bring a smile and they taste amazing.

Here's what you need to make your ladybug lovebug lollipops:

You Will Need:

-parchment paper

-Jolly Ranchers in shades of red (watermelon, cherry, strawberry) and purple (grape)

-candy eyes

-heart candies or cake decorating sprinkles

-8 in. lollipop sticks

-clear cellophane bags for storage (I used 4in. x 9.5in size)

-curly ribbon (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 275 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. I suggest only making a few lollipops at a time. You can make more than 4 or 5 at a time but you have to work quickly when decorating, since the candy sets fast. I usually make about 4 per batch. If you make more at a time, be mindful of where you place them on the sheet and leave room for yourself to add the lollipop sticks so that they're not touching each other.

3. Unwrap your jolly ranchers and place them on the parchment paper as shown in the photo. The purple acts as the ladybug's head and the red Jolly Ranchers will be the body.

Again, note how I left space to add the sticks, by placing the candies towards the top of the baking sheet. If you're using shorter sticks, you might not have to worry about that too much. I used 8 inch sticks.

4. Bake at 275 degrees for approximately 8 minutes. Everyone's oven is a little different. The idea is to pop these in the oven and keep an eye on them. As soon as you see them melt into the shape you want, remove them from the oven. It can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes, depending on your oven.

As soon as you remove them from the oven, gently roll the sticks into each ladybug. Add your candy eyes and hearts to the body. I used Wilton heart shaped decorating candies, but you can also use red hot candies or any small candy that you like (be gentle if using mini m&m's, since they crack easily when pressed onto the melted candy).

5. Allow them to cool completely, then gently remove from parchment paper and eat! Or you can put them in clear cellophane bags to give to friends and family as gifts. They make nice favors for parties and classroom events, too.

JERSEY MOMMA TIPS:

-You can use any color combination of Jolly Ranchers that you like, as well as different decor.

-If you can't find the heart shaped sprinkles, you can also use mini m&m's (press lightly when adding them to the pop, as they can crack), or red hot candies.

-If you plan on keeping the lollipops for a while, I recommend storing them flat. They can curl or change shape over time if not stored in a flat position.

Don't forget to check out my Santa lollipops and Turkey lollipop posts below! Click on the images to visit the posts.