Puckerin Pickle Pops Recipes

Steps:

• Place cucumbers in a large pot and cover with ice cubes. Let them sit for at least 2 hours but no more than 8. Drain and pat dry.
• Place the water, vinegar, sugar, pickling salt, and pickling spice into a saucepan. Bring to boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the cucumbers into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/2 inch of the top. Place 1 dill head and 1 clove of garlic into each jar. Pour the hot pickling liquid into the jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 5 minutes, or the time recommended by your county Extension agent.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). If any jars have not sealed properly, refrigerate them and eat within two weeks. Store in a cool, dark area, and wait at least 1 week before opening.

Steps:

• Before you begin, you will also need: 14 white sporks, 42 strands of pink and blue pull n' peel licorice, 14 medium eye sprinkles, 14 mini eye sprinkles, pink food marker, black decorating icing, 7 milano cookies, number 2 small round piping tip, and 12 ounces bright white candy melts or white chocolate for Forky inspired decorations.
• Let's start with the marshmallow fondant! The homemade kind is so easy to make, and tastes way better than anything you can buy in a store. Place the marshmallows and water in a microwave safe bowl (with plenty of room for the marshmallows to expand), and heat for 30 seconds. Stir, and microwave again for 30 seconds more. Stir until the marshmallows are smooth and completely melted.
• Add in half of the powdered sugar and stir to combine, then add the rest and the vanilla extract, and continue to mix until you cannot mix anymore. Coat a work surface and your hands with the vegetable shortening (to prevent sticking), and begin to knead the fondant on your surface until it comes together and is no longer sticky (add shortening as needed). Coat the fondant with a little more shortening and wrap it in plastic wrap before transferring to the refrigerator to chill overnight.
• To make the cheesecake pops place your Oreo cookies in the bowl of a food processor, and process until finely ground. Add the salt and process just until combined. Transfer to a medium bowl and add the cream cheese in small pieces. Mix to combine with your hands.
• Scoop out a heaping 1/2 a tablespoon, and roll between your palms to form balls. Place the cheesecake balls on a parchment lined tray, and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 45 minutes. While they are setting you can begin to work on the decorations.
• The licorice should be pre cut to the right length for the arms. You will just want to gently separate 4 strands per cake pop (with the eyebrow and arms being the same color). On top of a piece of wax paper cut a 1 inch section for the eyebrow and form it into an arch. Then cut a 1 inch section of the mouth color and press the 2 cut ends together to join them. You can make this one smiling or any expression you would like. Press it into your wax paper to hold the shape. To create the arms, make 3 folds on the end of the strand of licorice and separate slightly for fingers, repeat with the other strand, and then twist the 2 arm strands together in the middle. I found it best to shape the licorice the night before decorating, and let it set on the wax paper so it's not as sticky and holds the designs better.
• Once the cake pops are fully chilled it's time to dip them! Place the candy melts or white chocolate in a heat safe bowl, and microwave at 50% power for 1 minute, stir and repeat (in 30 second intervals), until the melts are smooth and completely melted. If you need to thin them out a bit you can add paramount crystals 1 teaspoon at a time, stirring until combined. Use a toothpick to add a little of the candy melts to the spoon part of each spork and place a cheesecake ball on top gently molding to the shape of the spork. Allow the chocolate to set.
• Dip the front of each spork into the candy melts, completely covering the cheesecake ball, and gently tap the bottom of the spork against the side of the bowl to pop any air bubbles and smooth the candy. Allow to set. You can dip them all once more for an extra smooth finish. (A toothpick is a great tool if you need to remove any excess candy melts from the fork tings). Once all the pops are dipped you can transfer them back to the refrigerator while completing the decorations (the cheesecake pops can also be refrigerated overnight).
• To prepare the cookie sticks for each pop, carefully cut each milano cookie in half with a sharp kitchen knife. Then cut the halves in half once more so that you have 4 pieces (2 per pop). If you would like, you can use the knife to very carefully round out the ends of each cookie. Set aside.
• Once the fondant has chilled you can separate and roll it into 1 inch balls. Form each ball into a triangle between your fingers (and flatten the top of the triangle). Set aside.
• When you are ready to put the cake pops together re melt your candy melts to use as the "glue". Place your cheesecake pops on a piece of wax paper, and use a toothpick dipped in the candy melts to attach the eyebrow, mouth, and sprinkle eyes. Tear a tiny piece of paper towel and color it with the food marker. Dab onto either side of the mouth for cheeks.
• Attach the piping tip to your decorating icing, and pipe large pupils into the center of each sprinkle eye. Glue the arms onto the spork handle with more candy melts.
• Add the fondant triangle to the bottom of your spork handle, and use melts to attach 1 piece of the cookie to either side of the bottom (like skis). Take a million pictures of your adorable new creation, and enjoy!
• Tools and Specialty Ingredients:
• Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links.
• Sporks - Buy now on Amazon, $8: https://amzn.to/2YUmsgU.
• Bright White Candy Melts - Buy now on Amazon, $7: https://amzn.to/2W9w4Ya.
• Mini Candy Eyes - Buy now on Amazon, $8: https://amzn.to/2HKGhSe.
• Black Decorating Icing - Buy now on Amazon, $5: https://amzn.to/2YSAoIc.
• Medium Sprinkle Eyes - Buy now on Amazon, $8: https://amzn.to/2Z0WHM5.
• Pull 'n' Peel Licorice - Buy now on Amazon, $10: https://amzn.to/2We3JQA.
• Golden Oreos - Buy now on Amazon, $3: https://amzn.to/30U0MDq.
• Paramount Crystals (to smooth candy melts) - Buy now on Amazon, $13: https://amzn.to/2MvlQNB.