Nautical Pop Fun

It's amazing how quickly a Birthday Party passes after all the party planning put into it.  I had many, many compliments about the decor so I thought I'd take the time to share a little so that you can share with others if you prefer.

I think I'll explain the Nautical Pops first - now, before I go on I do want to tell you that this was an idea I 'borrowed' from Kitchen Runway but I'm not sure if they actually created this cute little yummy!

Connor's Nautical Pops

I decided to make these nightly after work so I wasn't trying to do everything at once.  If you work, I would recommend this option since it worked out really great for me.  I did the life preservers over two nights and stored them... then the following evening I assembled everything with the wonderful help of my amazing husband.  He's always up for the challenge!

How to make the “life preservers” for the Nautical Marshmallow Pops:

Ingredients:

• Life Savers candy (of your choice – mint or flavored)
• Fruit roll ups (would suggest the footlong ones instead of the little square ones)

I do have to tell you that I was not confident in buying a bag of multi-colored ones and then sorting out all the clear ones.  Instead I bought the mint ones; however, do whatever you like!

Directions:

• Peel open and unroll the Fruit Roll Up.  On a cutting board, use a pizza cutter to cut into thin strips.  Then trim the strips down to a length long enough to wrap around the Life Saver.   The Fruit Roll Up is sticky enough to adhere to itself without an additional binder.  (I would cut 1 inch slices of the roll and then 1/2 and 1/2 again long ways.)  I used a toothpick to help position and adhere the Fruit Roll Up to the Life Saver.

Store them in a cool place so they don't stick to the plate or foil.

Completeing the Nautical Pops

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of large marshmallows
• 1 bag of candy melts (color or flavor of your choice)
• Sprinkles
• 6 inch lollipop sticks (We got both 12 inch & 6 inch for variety)
• Foam or Styrofoam block or strainer with decent size holes for drying
• bags and ribbon, optional

Directions:

• Stick the lollipop about half way through the marshmallow and set aside. 
• Heat a 1/2 pan of water over medium heat. Place a small pan within the bigger pan. Put chopped chocolate, or whole chocolate melt circles in the pan and stir occasionally until melted. We found this much quicker than the instructions on the bag stating microwave options.
• Dip the marshmallow straight down into the candy melt, about half way down.  When I lift the marshmallow I slightly twist the lollipop so that the excess candy melt wraps around the top.
• Quickly sprinkle with decorative sprinkles and top with a lifesaver.   Stick into a foam block/strainer to dry.
• You can wrap them up individually if you wish.  Wait about 10 minutes to be sure the candy is fully dried.

If you by the small favor size bags - those work really great!  Use balloon string or ribbon to seal the bags and you are ready to go!