I was thinking the other day that holidays seemed like so much more fun when we were kids. It’s probably because—when we were kids—we weren’t in charge of making the holidays fun. We just got to reap the rewards.

It might be a cliché, but things did seem simpler then. They probably weren’t—when I say things like that, my husband (who loves history) is always quick to point out that there were always bad things going on in the world. But I don’t let his rain ruin my parade!

Do you know what I remember most about Valentine’s Day as a child? Those little heart candies with the writing on them. I remember sneaking handfuls of them, arranging them so the words communicated some sort of message, and then eating them one at a time. I even liked the taste!

That’s what inspired this month’s Kim’s Kitchen project. Now that Valentine’s Day is over, I wanted to do something fun now using something that I had fun with then. (Plus it will give you something to do with that leftover Valentine candy.)

Because it involves heating up and pouring isomalt, I recommend a little caution when doing this project. Isomalt is hot and can burn you. Many of the sugar artists I know wear gloves when working with it, and that’s certainly a good idea.

But don’t let that stop you from giving this project a try. As always, feel free to experiment. If you don’t want to use a heart mold, there are plenty of other great molds out there. Fill it with your own favorite candy. However you do it, once it’s complete, you’ll have a unique and tasty item to share.

Valentine Candy Lollipop Steps

1. Heat up Isomalt in silicone cup using microwave (heat 30 seconds, then continue in 15-second intervals until Isomalt melts).

Heat up isomalt in silicone cup using microwave (heat 30 seconds, then continue in 15-second intervals until isomalt melts).

2. Pour Isomalt carefully into silicone heart mold. (Be careful! Isomalt is hot!) Let cool a bit, then pour out access but keep insides coated.

Pour isomalt carefully into silicone heart mold. (Be careful. isomalt is hot.) Let cool a bit, then pour out excess, but keep interior coated.

3. Pour more Isomalt into the molds. Swirl to coat insides. Pour off excess and let dry.

Pour more isomalt into the molds. Swirl to coat interiors. Pour off excess and let dry.

4. Remove hearts from mold.

Remove hearts from mold.

5. Heat up a metal surface with torch. Even the edges of the hearts by rubbing them quickly over the heated metal.

Heat up a metal surface with torch. Even up the edges of the hearts by rubbing them quickly over the heated metal.

6. Fill one heart with preferred candy.

Fill one heart with preferred candy.

7. Heat up edge of empty heart with torch. Press heart halves together.

Heat up edge of empty heart with torch. Press heart halves together.

8. Shine up the surface of the heart with torch.

Shine up the surface of the heart with torch.

9. Make a hole in the bottom of the heart using Zeoto pen.

Make a hole in the bottom of the heart using Zeoto pen.

10. Insert lollipop stick.

Insert lollipop stick.