Homemade Gumdrops Recipes

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup water; let stand 5 minutes. In a small saucepan, bring sugar and remaining water to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add gelatin; reduce heat. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in extract and food coloring as desired., Pour into a greased 8-in. square pan. Refrigerate, covered, 3 hours or until firm., Loosen edges of candy from pan with a knife; turn onto a sugared work surface. Cut into 1-in squares; roll in sugar. Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature until all sides are dry, turning every hour, 3-4 hours. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Lightly spray candy molds or miniature muffin cups with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, sprinkle gelatin on 1/2 cup cold water; set aside.
• In small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup water and 2 cups sugar to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 5 minutes until sugar is dissolved and mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat; carefully add to gelatin mixture, stirring until gelatin is dissolved.
• Divide mixture into 4 small bowls (or more, depending on how many colors/flavors you want). Tint each bowl with 4 to 5 drops food color, then stir in 1/2 teaspoon extract. Carefully spoon mixture into molds. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight until set.
• Carefully remove gumdrops from molds, using a butter knife as needed to coax gumdrops from molds. Roll gumdrops in sugar; place on waxed paper. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours to crystallize slightly. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups sugar, applesauce, red or green gelatin, unflavored gelatin and lemon juice; let stand for 1 minute. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Immediately pour into a cold 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm., With a spatula, loosen gelatin from sides of pan. To remove, invert onto waxed paper. Using kitchen scissors or small sharp cookie cutters dipped on hot water, cut into 1-in. squares or shapes. , Place on waxed paper. Dry at room temperature for about 8 hours or until slightly sticky. Roll in remaining sugar. Store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of a 9x5-in. loaf pan with foil. Grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter; set aside. , Grease the bottom and sides of a large heavy saucepan with the remaining butter; add sugar and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, about 9 minutes. Cook over medium-high heat until a candy thermometer reads 280° (soft-crack stage), stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, in another large saucepan, combine the water, pectin and baking soda (mixture will foam slightly). Cook and stir over high heat until mixture boils, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; set aside., When corn syrup mixture reaches 280° (soft-crack stage), remove from the heat. Return pectin mixture to medium-high heat; cook until mixture begins to simmer. Carefully and slowly ladle corn syrup mixture in a very thin stream into pectin mixture, stirring constantly. Cook and stir 1 minute longer., Remove from the heat; stir in the extract, zest and food coloring. Transfer to prepared pan. Let stand until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into squares. If desired, roll in additional sugar.