How to Make Healthy Suckers

These suckers are perfect for Easter or any occasion!  Dye-free, refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free suckers for kids.

My kids and I had recently come up with a healthy popsicle recipe. Now with Easter just around the corner, we have been busy in the kitchen trying to perfect a healthy sucker recipe. We tried several different variations of natural sugars, liquid, and cook time. Finally, we got one that looked like a lollipop, and the kids totally approved! 

Because of the upcoming Easter holiday, I wanted to come up with a sucker that I felt good about my kids eating. I have always filled my kid’s Easter baskets with healthy snacks and stickers instead of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. As they get older, they are more aware of the candy.  

My solution for this is to recreate all the sugary, dye-filled treats with healthy ingredients. Cooking and baking with natural sugars and gluten-free flours can be tough. Once we nailed down a recipe, these suckers were simple enough for the kids even to help out. 

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY SUCKERS

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INGREDIENTS 

• 1/2 cup coconut sugar (Find it here.) 
• 1/4 cup honey 
• 2 tablespoons organic apple juice 
• OPTIONAL 3-5 drops wild orange essential oil 

SUPPLY NEEDED 

• Sucker molds with sticks 
• Candy thermometer 

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Place a sucker stick in each of the sucker molds and set aside. 
2. Pour all the ingredients into a medium-size saucepan and stir well.
3. Bring to a boil and leave on the heat until the liquid reaches 300 degrees. Check the temperature with a candy thermometer. 
4. Stir often to keep the honey and sugar from burning. 
5. Once the liquid reaches 300 degrees, remove the pan from the heat. 
6. Allow the bubbles to go down, and then add in essential oil if using.
7. Spoon the mixture into the sucker molds. 
8. Let them sit for about 30 minutes or until hardened. 
9. Pop the suckers out of the molds and enjoy. 

A FEW TIPS ON SUCKER MAKING

• As I said earlier, we have been busy perfecting this recipe.  We tried 7 different recipes before we popped a beautiful sucker out of the mold. Some were too hard, and some were too soft. Some were way too sweet, and some weren’t sweet enough. Along the way, I came up with a little list of must-do’s when you go to make suckers! 
• The ratio of sugar to juice that you use is very important.  If this is off just a little bit, the suckers won’t turn out.  Trust me, I know! 😉 
• The honey is crucial.  In store-bought suckers, you will find corn syrup on the list.  The honey is the replacer of the corn syrup, and it helps the sucker hold its shape.
• Don’t rush the cooking time!  The liquid must reach 300 degrees, known as the hard crack stage.  
• Don’t overcook either.  The sugars can burn easily, and if the temperate goes over 300 degrees, your sucker can taste burnt.  Again, trust me on this one!  I’m telling you, I made all the mistakes, and my poor children were the guinea pigs along the way.  
• No need to spray or grease your molds.  If you follow the recipe, the suckers will pop right out of the silicone molds.

A LITTLE ON THE INGREDIENTS 

COCONUT SUGAR 

Coconut sugar is a palm sugar produced from the sap of the flower stem of the coconut palm. It has a lower glycemic index than regular table sugar, making it a much healthier option.

Coconut sugar contains vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, such as iron and zinc. It also contains inulin, which can stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the intestines. This can help boost the immune system.  Eating a diet high in coconut products can promote a healthy heart. 

Although coconut sugar has a lot of benefits for the body, it is still a sugar.  Sugars should be limited because too much of any type of sugar can affect weight gain, inflammation in the body, yeast overgrowth, and cravings.  

HONEY 

Even though this is a sucker recipe, the honey is great for the digestive tract and respiratory issues. A spoon full of local raw honey is very soothing for a sore throat and can help relieve a cough.  

Honey is a good source of antioxidants. It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Honey can counter pollen allergens making it a great solution for helping with seasonal allergies.

ORGANIC APPLE JUICE 

The added juice is actually optional in this recipe.  You can make these suckers with water if you don’t have juice on hand. I decided to add in the apple juice to add a little more flavor!  My kids enjoyed the honey apple flavor! 

You can also try different juices to make a different flavor, or you can even make this with elderberry syrup for the wintertime.

OUR FAVORITE SUCKER MOLDS 

I found the best molds on amazon!  I love them because they came with reusable sticks and several different shapes. Each time we make suckers, the kids like to look through all the options, and usually, we make a few suckers in each shape because they all chose different ones. 

These molds come with smiley faces, stars, hearts, swirl circles, and flower molds. 

CAN YOU ADD MORE FLAVORS TO THE SUCKERS? 

Yes!  Adding in essential oils is a great way to add a little bit more flavor and benefits.  Remember, essential oils are very concentrated, so you don’t need a lot. In this recipe, you can add 3-5 drops of oil after removing the liquid from the heat. 

Learn more on how to use essential oils safely and effectively here. 

Citrus oils are our favorites to add; you can also do peppermint or lavender. We love wild orange and lemon the most!

I hope you enjoyed this post on how to make healthy suckers. Be sure to check out my most recent post: Strawberry Lollipops

PIN IT FOR LATER

Yield: 8 suckers

Healthy Suckers | Paleo Approved

Print

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 42 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp apple juice
• 10 drops wild orange essential oil, optional

Instructions

1. Place a sucker stick in each of the sucker molds and set aside. 
2. Pour all the ingredients into a medium-size saucepan and stir well. 
3. Bring to a boil and leave on the heat until the liquid reaches 300 degrees. Check the temperature with a candy thermometer. Stir often to keep the honey and sugar from burning. 
4. Once the liquid reaches 300 degrees, remove the pan from the heat. Allow the bubbles to subside and then add in the orange essential oil.
5. Spoon the mixture into the sucker molds. Let them sit for about 30 minutes or until hardened. Pop the suckers out of the molds and enjoy.