Homemade Elderberry Lollipops
These homemade elderberry lollipops are the perfect remedy to have on hand this winter! They’re made with only two wholesome ingredients: elderberry syrup and honey.
Winter is always brutal in terms of all of the little bugs floating around, but travel, holidays, and having kids in school or daycare can amplify it. Of course, there’s nothing like getting enough hydration, nutrition, sleep, and hand washing, but I love giving my family a little extra boost from elderberry syrup. Plus, it’s even more fun in lollipop form!
These elderberry syrup lollipops are easy to make and perfect to have on hand all winter long!
Table of contents
What are the benefits of elderberry syrup lollipops?
- They come in handy for colds. As seen in this study, elderberry can potentially help you kick a cold a bit faster! Per this study with a group of people traveling – “Travellers using elderberry from 10 days before travel until 4–5 days after arriving overseas on average experienced a 2-day shorter duration of the cold and also noticed a reduction in cold symptoms.” (SOURCE). As a busy mom, I can use all the help I can get with kicking colds faster!
- Lollipops are an easy way to get in elderberry syrup. Not only is it fun to eat lollipops, but it’s much yummier to enjoy it like this as opposed to drinking straight elderberry syrup which can be a little strong all at once.
- Unlike storebought, you can flavor and shape them to your liking. Storebought elderberry lollipops can be a little one note, but when you make it at home, you can make fun shapes and add extra flavor to really make it your own!
Recipe Ingredients
- Elderberry syrup. Most premade elderberry syrups will have added flavoring like honey, lemon or cinnamon. You can use a premade elderberry syrup for a shortcut, or you can follow my recipe for homemade elderberry syrup in my elderberry syrup gummy recipe.
- Honey.
Modifications
- Grated ginger. Fresh grated ginger will add more flavor and benefits, but it may be too punchy if you serve these lollipops to kids. I would use your own discretion and take your family’s tastes into consideration!
- Cinnamon. 1 tsp of dried cinnamon would be another great flavor addition.
- Orange zest. You can zest about 1/4th of an orange into the mixture for a pop of citrus flavor.
Recipe Tools
- Candy thermometer. In my opinion, candy thermometers are a must for recipes like this! It makes it much easier and takes out the guesswork. You can use it for recipes with homemade marshmallows like my gluten-free s’mores bars.
- Lollipop molds. I love using these star-shaped lollipop molds!
How to make Homemade Elderberry Lollipops
Here are the simple steps, with photos, to make this recipe. Find full instructions in the recipe card.
Step one. Combine the elderberry and honey in a pot and heat on the stove.
Step two. Bring to the hard crack stage.
Step three. Carefully pour the syrup into the molds.
Step four. Allow to set in the fridge and enjoy!
Tips & tricks
- No honey for babies under one and no lollipops or hard candy for small children and toddlers in general! Hard candy is a choking hazard, so these are not recommended for young children.
- Ask your pediatrician. It’s always recommended to ask your pediatrician if something like this is safe for your kids’ age and needs.
- Don’t use a glass pot. I have some glass cookware that I like to use, but it’s a big no-no for candy-making! You most definitely don’t want to have your pot shatter while making lollipops. Stick with something like a stainless steel pot.
- Add a thin layer of arrowroot starch to prevent sticking. The best way to store these is in individual wrappers, just like storebought lollipops, but if you find it to be too sticky, add a thin layer or arrowroot starch to prevent sticking.
How much elderberry is okay to take?
Again, always talk to your doctor! The general guideline is 1 tbsp for adults and 1 tsp for children (source). So keep in mind that the size of your mold matters!
Is elderberry good for autoimmunity?
Elderberry can actually have the opposite effect for those of us with autoimmune diseases. It can stimulate the immune system, potentially leading to a flare (source).
If you have an autoimmune disease, talk to your doctor before trying elderberry.
Personally, as someone with an autoimmune disease, this is something I make for my family.
Recipes FAQS
You can keep these in a tight container in the fridge for a few weeks!
Wrap them in individual containers like a plastic or parchment wrapping, and then place them in an airtight container in the fridge.
When you think your lollipop syrup is to temperature, test the hard crack stage, by carefully dropping a small amount of syrup into a glass of cold water. Carefully remove it with a fork. If it easily cracks, your mixture should be ready!
If you have any excess sugar stuck to the pot, I like to add some water and bring it to a boil. This will melt the rest of the sugar so you can discard it.
If you tried these Elderberry Lollipops or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
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Homemade Elderberry Lollipops
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 lollipops 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Global
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These homemade elderberry lollipops are the perfect remedy to have on hand this winter! They’re made with only two wholesome ingredients: elderberry syrup and honey.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup elderberry syrup ( see notes)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 thumb grated ginger (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your lollipop molds with the lollipop sticks inserted about halfway through the mold and set aside.
- Combine the elderberry syrup and honey in a pot and gently stir to combine.
- Place the pot on the stove and clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot. Set over medium-low heat, and low raise the heat to medium, stirring the mixture often. The mixture will bubble and thicken, over about 20-25 minutes. You’re waiting for the mixture to reach the hard crack stage of 300 F.
- Once the mixture comes to temperature, remove it from the heat. Use a ladle to carefully spoon the mixture into the molds. It’s okay if some of the syrup gets outside of the mold, as it will crack off later!
- Transfer the molds to the fridge and allow to set for an hour before removing from the molds and enjoying!
- You can store the lollipops individually wrapped in the fridge.
Notes
Most premade elderberry syrups will have added flavoring like honey, lemon or cinnamon. You can use a premade elderberry syrup for a shortcut, or you can follow my recipe for homemade elderberry syrup in my elderberry syrup gummy recipe.
The grated ginger will add more flavor and benefits, but it may be too punchy if you’re serving these lollipops to kids. I would use your own discretion and take your family’s tastes into consideration!
Tools : Candy thermometer, star-shaped mold, or a regular lollipop mold.
Elderberry can actually have the opposite effect for those of us with autoimmune diseases. It can stimulate the immune system, potentially leading to a flare (source).If you have an autoimmune disease, talk to your doctor before trying elderberry.
