How to Make Sugar Cookie Pops

COOKIE POPS STEP BY STEP

There are a couple of ways to successfully make cookie pops. Into an unbaked cookie, you can either insert the stick fully (so the stick is not showing) or press it in (so part of the lollipop stick is showing), then bake it. I’ll break it down into steps so you can better understand and make them successfully. Let’s go!

• Table of Contents
• hidden stick cookie pop method
• partially exposed stick cookie pop method

HIDDEN STICK COOKIE POP METHOD

You may prefer this method if you don’t plan to fully cover the cookie with royal icing and want to keep the stick hidden, or if you prefer thicker cookies. In that case, roll the dough thicker, to about 3/16 to 3/8 inch (roughly 8 -10 mm), so it can securely hold the lollipop stick. The cookie needs to be thick enough to fully enclose the stick. For even results, I use rolling guides when rolling out the dough (steps 1–3). Pushing a lollipop stick into a cookie can be a bit tricky, especially if your cookies are on the thinner side.

Roll out cookie dough between 2 silicone mats or parchment paper sheets.

• How to Insert the Stick into a Cookie
• Hold the stick parallel to the cookie and insert it from the bottom up, using gentle back-and-forth twisting motion.
• This works best with chilled cookies, as soft dough can easily lose its shape.
• I like to keep my fingers flat on top of the cookie to stabilize it while pushing the lollipop stick about halfway up, so it stays fully hidden inside.
• Aim to place the stick in the center and avoid tearing the cookie surface.

If a lollipop or a bamboo stick becomes loose after the cookies have cooled, you can glue it back in place with a little royal icing.

When the lollipop stick is not exposed on either side, you can decorate the top or underside. Choice is yours. To decorate these cute Valentine’s Day Balloon Cookies, I decorated the top side.

PARTIALLY EXPOSED STICK COOKIE POP METHOD

You may prefer this simple and fast method if you plan to fully decorate cookies with icing. The idea is to gently press the stick into the cookie. There are two things you need to consider: how thick is the cookie compared to the lollipop stick? They can not be the same thickness. A cookie has to always be thicker than the stick. If the latter is thicker than the cookie, the stick will bake raised above the cookie surface, complicating the decorating process. That’s why I recommend rolling the dough at least to about ¼ inch thick.

• Press the Cookie onto the Stick
• For efficient handling, work with chilled cut-outs.
• Gently press the cookie onto the lollipop stick, and secure it in place.
• The cookies can then be baked with the stick facing down toward the baking sheet.
• Pros: This method ensures the stick bakes flush with the cookie surface, making the decorating process easier.
• Cons: It can be tricky to handle some cut-out shapes without distorting them.

The underside of the cookie has an exposed lollipop stick, and this is the side I prefer to decorate with icing. An additional layer of icing not only hides the stick but also provides extra support, so the lollipop stick won’t fall out.

• Press the Stick into the Cookie
• An alternative way is to press the stick onto the cut-out cookie.
• This technique is the fastest.
• And it is particularly useful when working with odd shapes, like the ring cookie in the picture below. It would be impossible to press a cookie onto the stick without messing up the cut-out shape.
• So instead, I place the stick directly on top of the cookie and gently press it into the slightly chilled cookie. Bake as usual.
• Pros: Easy; works with all shapes, even odd ones.
• Cons: If the cookie dough rises too much, it can lift the lollipop stick along with it, since there’s nothing on top to hold it in place. As a result, the stick may no longer sit flush with the top of the cookie.

If the lollipop stick isn’t flush with the cookie, gently press it down right after baking, while the cookies are still hot, until it sits even with the cookie surface.

Use icing or fondant to decorate the side with the exposed lollipop stick.

DECORATE WITH COOKIE POPS

I wanted to share a few ideas for using cookie pops as cake and cupcake toppers. Below, you’ll find examples of cakes and cupcakes decorated with cookies.

To decorate small desserts like cupcakes and petit fours with cookies, toothpicks are the easiest option. They’re also ideal for smaller or more delicate shapes where regular lollipop sticks won’t work.

If you plan to decorate cupcakes with cookie pops, stick to smaller cookies. And if you’re transporting the cupcakes, add the cookie decorations once you’ve set up your dessert table.

This post was originally published on March 31st, 2010. On January 15th,2021, I updated this post with new step-by-step pictures and written text.