Pretty and Easy-to-Make Valentines Treats (using leftover Christmas candy!)

Have any extra candy canes or peppermint candies leftover from Christmas? Use them to make homemade Valentine treats! Here in New York I find that I am permanently cold so any excuse to huddle around the oven is a good one! These DIY treats are from our book, Candy Aisle Crafts.
Give these candy cane hearts (above) to your Valentine in a little cellophane baggy or use them to top cupcakes.

supplies:
parchment paper
scissors
2 hooked candy canes (or the hooks from 2 broken candy canes)
string (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 275°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Use scissors to cut off the C-shaped hooked ends of the candy canes at an angle so that the cut ends of each will fit together to form a heart. (If needed, use scissors to gently cut off a tiny bit at a time, shaving away the ends to smooth the angles.)
3. Arrange the two candy pieces on the baking sheet to form a heart shape.
4. Place in the oven for about 3 minutes until they start to look glossy but don't melt or sag. Remove and nudge the pieces together (carefully, it will be hot). If needed, return the candy to the oven for another 30 seconds or 1 minute to adhere.
5. Let cool. Hang the heart from a string to make a necklace or an ornament.

These lollipops are great for party favors or school Valentines.

Simple Heart Pop (Shown at left)
supplies:
2½ cherry or strawberry Jolly Rancher hard candies
parchment paper
stick (you can use a skewer with the pointy part cut off or a popsicle stick)

1. Preheat the oven to 275°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Arrange the candy on the baking sheet in a V-shape.
3. Place in the oven for about 5 minutes. Remove and let cool for 1 minute.
4. Reshape, if needed, pinching the bottom to make it pointy. Add the stick by putting it on the bottom and twisting to coat with candy.
5. Return it to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Remove from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet. Press the stick down, if needed. (If needed, let it cool for 1 minute and reshape it.) Return it to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes to smooth. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Peppermint Swirl Pop (Shown at right)
supplies:
1 peppermint candy
1 heart-shaped sprinkle
parchment paper
stick

1. Preheat the oven to 275°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Put the peppermint candy on the baking sheet.
3. Place the baking sheet in the oven for about 7 minutes. Remove and let cool for 1 minute.
4. Squish on the heart-shaped sprinkle. Shape the candy into a heart, if desired. Put the stick under the candy and press to adhere.
5. Return to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the candy to adhere to the stick. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Have a sweet Valentines Day!