Halloween is a spooky time of year. And I’m not just talking about the ghosts, ghouls, and goblins roaming the streets for tricks and treats. I’m talking about the high fructose corn syrup, artificial colorings, and additives loaded in commercial Halloween candies. When you stop and look at the health effects, that stuff is scary!

Not to fear. Here is a delicious recipe for Halloween candy made with essential oils, honey, and other natural products that won’t spook you when you read the ingredients list:

Halloween Honey and Ginger Lollipops 

You will need:

• Heat-tempered lollipop molds (meant specifically for hard candy) or metal clamp lollipop forms. Find molds that suit the season! I chose bats and pumpkins for Halloween.
• Lollipop sticks.
• Cooking thermometer.
• Granulated sugar: 2 cups
• Organic, local honey: 2/3 cups
• Filtered water: ¾ cup
• Ginger Zingiber officinale essential oil: 10 drops
• Candied ginger (chopped very fine): a pinch
• Olive oil: enough to grease molds
• Note: Always choose Certified Organic ingredients when possible : )

Ingredients 

1. Using olive oil, grease lollipop molds. Drop a few pieces of candied ginger into each mold. Insert lollipop sticks and set aside.
2. In a heavy-duty saucepan, combine sugar, honey, and water. Insert candy thermometer, making sure not to touch the bottom of the pan.
3. Cooking at medium heat, stir until all ingredients are dissolved. Check pan occasionally to make sure mixture is not bubbling over.
4. Once the thermometer reaches 300 degrees, remove.
5. Once bubbling subsides, add ginger essential oil. Stir well. 
6. Pour mixture carefully into molds, making sure the sticks remain secure. Let cool before removing from molds. (If lollipops are difficult to remove, briefly run hot water over the back of the mold tray.)
7. Place in plastic treat bags or plastic wrap. Store in the fridge or a cool, low-humidity area. 

Note that you should never give honey to children under one year of age, as there is an increased risk of botulism poisoning.

Additionally, we found that ginger and honey were an excellent pairing. But when it comes to flavoring, you can certainly mix it up and try different essential oils or herbs like cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Blume), lavender Lavandula angustifolia (Mill.), or sweet orange Citrus sinensis (Osbeck). We have a whole eBook on cooking with essential oils! As with all essential oils, please use with caution and follow the recipe and recommended doses, especially with children. Ingested in large amounts, essential oils can be toxic. Remember: less is more! Additionally, it’s also recommended to cook in a well-ventilated area when working with culinary essential oils.

What holistic treats will you prepare for Halloween? Share your favorites in the comments!

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a Shipping Clerk & Production Assistant for American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) and the Apothecary Shoppe, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Editors Note: This blog post was originally published in October 2015 and has been updated for accuracy. (October 2016)