Sure, it's easy to buy lollipops at the store, but this old-fashioned favorite is fun to make at home. The best part about making your own lollipops is that you can completely customize them—choose your favorite flavors and create combinations that appeal to you, your family, and friends. Coconut-lime? You got it. Spicy pineapple mint? Sounds delicious. Once you master the basic recipe, you'll love crafting new combos and experimenting with your own lollipops. (They make great gifts, too.)

You do need a few pieces of inexpensive equipment to start, such as a candy thermometer and a lollipop mold, both of which can be found for a few dollars at cake and candy supply stores, many craft stores, or online. You'll also want lollipop sticks, flavoring extracts (it could be simple vanilla or a variety of fun flavors), and perhaps even food coloring.

If you have never learned how to make candy, it is important to understand the process before you start. There are six stages: thread, soft ball, firm ball, hard ball, soft crack, and hard crack, and each stage happens at a different temperature. Thus, using a candy thermometer is crucial; even if you have owned the candy thermometer for some time, it's a good idea to test it to make sure it's still accurate. You can also do a test by dropping a spoonful of the syrup into a bowl of cold water: When it reaches the hard-crack stage, it will form brittle threads in the water and crack once you remove and try to bend it.