This idea for Valentines is so cute and easy; I couldn’t resist doing a couple versions of it! All you need are some leftover candy canes from Christmas and some help from the kids.

Supplies:

  • Candy canes (or other candy stick, such as See’s or Trader Joe’s candy sticks)
  • String to hang your Valentines
  • Wax paper

Optional Supplies:

  • Melting chocolate
  • Lollipop sticks
  • Sprinkles or sparkles of your choice

Directions:

  1. Lay out your candy canes in various shapes on wax paper on a baking sheet. I chose hearts using the entire candy cane. Also you can write “xxx ooo” or write the word love by laying out the candy in the shapes of letters. Get creative.
  2. Now bake these candy shapes at 300 degrees for approximately 5 min. Ovens vary, so check often. When you see the candy start to soften or melt, they are done.
  3. Take out of oven and carefully pinch together the joining ends of shapes to complete your letters or shapes! Watch out, the candy is hot! Now allow to cool, but do not refrigerate! Be patient. It doesn’t take that long to harden. I let mine sit for an hour, just to be sure. Now grab your string and start tying and decorating!

Another variation on these is to create a heart-shaped lollipop with two candy canes: Prepare as above, but mold your heart around a lollipop stick when you remove from oven. Then melt chocolate (has to be the melting candy kind) in a sealable plastic bag. Knead during heating intervals to heat consistently. Snip a corner and pipe a layer of chocolate into the melted candy cane heart and over/around the stick. Decorate with your favorite toppings and let cool! Once cooled completely, you can remove from parchment paper and you will have the most adorable candy heart lollipops! Dress in cellophane and ribbon to complete your Valentine!