Don't have hard candy molds? You can make hard candy lollipops without a candy mold by laying lollipop sticks on a lightly oiled cookie sheet (or line a cookie sheet with a silicone parchment sheet). Just pour the syrup over the lollipop sticks using a spoon to control the flow.
Make candy drops by dropping teaspoons of syrup on a cookie sheet that is lightly oiled or lined with silicone parchment paper.
Before you get started, have all the ingredients measured and all tools within reach of the microwave.
Lightly oil candy molds with cooking spray.
Mix sugar and light corn syrup (or glucose) together in a 4-cup microwave-safe glass measuring cup that is safe for use with hot ingredients.
Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes.
Remove from the microwave and carefully remove plastic wrap. Quickly stir the sugar mixture and then cover with a new sheet of plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 2 1/2 minutes.
Remove from microwave, carefully remove plastic wrap and stir with a clean spoon.
After the sugar has stopped boiling, stir in food coloring and flavoring oil.
Carefully pour the sugar syrup into prepared hard candy molds using a spoon to control the flow.
If making hard candy lollipops, be sure to insert the lollipop sticks right away.
Let cool for about 20 minutes at room temperature, do not refrigerate. After 20 minutes, remove the hard candy lollipops or pieces from the mold.
