Easy Holiday Gumdrops

So, you got all your holiday shopping done, and, "Uh-oh!" Forgot someone? Well, don't panic. No need to brave last-minute crowds. You can concoct a tasty treat right in your own kitchen, and it will be gratefully received and eagerly devoured. This is not the old standby fruit cake at which everyone scoffs, or the slightly-trite cranberry bread.

This is not purchased pre-gift-wrapped chocolates in a box--it's a whole new thing that I'll bet almost no one on your gift list has gotten before. Besides, in a tough economy, home-made gifts are truly from the heart, and much more appreciated.

There are very few ingredients, and only one part is a bit "fussy," but it mainly involves a 'constant stirring' on the stove bit.

I've included a video of the entire process, so you can see how really easy it is. True, it is a bit time-consuming, but only in stages. You can do something else while waiting for the gumdrops to set up, and that takes a good 4 hours or so. Longer won't hurt them.

The whole family can get involved in making these treats. While it is best if a single person is doing the cooking part, and this should be an adult, or an older teen, the fun comes at the end when they are being readied for packing.

This is candy, and it does involve a lot of sugar, which is why I only make them as holiday treats...and I give most of it away..to lessen the temptation on my end!

This is one of those recipes that takes longer to explain than it does to do, so please don't be scared off by the apparent lengthy directions. It sounds complicated and intimidating, but really, it's easy. I was only "scared" the first time I tried it...after that, I practically had it memorized, and regularly made at least four flavors for gifts each year.

Each batch yields about 1 pound of candy.

This recipe cannot be cut in half! I tried it once: you get brick-hard candy, instead of soft gumdrops.

This process is continuous, and once begun, cannot be stopped or interrupted, until after the candy is poured into the pan, so it is best to have everything ready ahead of time, and your flavors measured out and your chosen color handy before you start.

1 Package 1-3/4 ounce size powdered fruit pectin

(be sure and get the correct size package--more or less will cause problems.)

3/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon baking SODA

1 Cup granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

2 teaspoons flavoring extract

a few drops of food coloring

A cup or so of granulated sugar in a bowl or on a plate...add more if needed.

Combine the ingredients from Part One into one saucepan; then combine the ingredients from Part Two into another saucepan.

Be aware that the first (pectin) mixture will foam, so choose a large enough saucepan to contain this foaming action, even though the actual measure of ingredients is small.

Place both saucepans over high heat, and cook, stirring each alternately, until the foam disappears from the first mixture, and the sugar mixture boils rapidly. Be sure to use separate spoons for stirring, as you do not want the mixtures to combine at all yet.

This process will take about 5 minutes. ..this is 'almost' constant stirring, just taking turns back and forth; you don't want either mixture to scorch.

*****

Once the mixtures have each cooked to this point, turn off the heat under the pectin mixture, and pour it slowly and carefully in a thin stream, into the sugar mixture, stirring the whole while, untill all the pectin mixture is added to the sugar mixture. Boil combined mixture for one minute longer, stirring constantly.

*****

Remove saucepan from heat, and quickly stir in flavoring extract and food color ( a few drops is usually enough.)

Immediately pour mixture into an 8-inch square pan. (8" x 8" x 2"). Allow candy to stand at room temperature for at least 3 hours, or until candy is cool and firm. Do not refrigerate!

I use inexpensive aluminum pans, (not disposable type, however) because when it comes time to turn them out, you'll need a metal turner or a sharp knife, if you cut them before you turn them out.

Once the candy is completely cooled (not even a tiny trace of warmth left), it is ready to cut into shapes

At this point, you can delay the process if need be. Simply place a sheet of plastic wrap across the surface of the cooled candy, to keep the surface clean, and go shopping or whatever you need to do.

You can either cut them into small squares or diamonds, not more than about 1/2 inch across. You can cut them in the pan, using a sharp knife dipped in hot water, or you can turn them out onto waxed paper first, and then cut them.

If you turn them out as a whole slab, (tricky to do) it works best to use a metal turner, dipped in hot water, and work it around the edges of the pan, and gradually under the outer egdes of the candy. At this point, it gets a little awkward, because you cannot lift it--it's just too soft--so you will be working it out with the pan held upside-down. Once an edge hits the waxed paper, move the pan so that it keeps coming out forward of the first part, so it doesn't pile up. If that happens, there's no un-sticking it from itself...kind of like duct tape!

For your first time, it's probably easier to cut them up in the pan, which is why I suggested inexpensive pans--they will get plenty scarred up from the knife. (I have a set that I keep just for the gumdrops.)

*****

Finally, here's the part the kids will really enjoy helping with. Take each cut gumdrop, and roll it well in the bowl of sugar, coating all sides, and set them into your chosen container. If you are making several layers, be sure to separate each layer from the others with waxed paper, or they will all glue themselves back together in a sticky mass.

Of course, everyone is free to make up their own combinations, but these are the 'color/flavor' keys I use:

COLOR = FLAVOR

Green = Mint

Yellow = Lemon

Orange = Orange

Red = Clove** (alternately, strawberry)

Purple = Anise

Pink = Peppermint

White = Spearmint (obviously, no food color added)

**Beware: If using clove extract, use only a couple of drops, rather than the 2 teaspoons called for with the other flavors. Clove is a very concentrated flavor, and too much will not be pleasant.

These candies are very soft, melt-in-your-mouth treats. Even senior citizens with dentures can enjoy them, as they do not need chewing. Even folks who, for whatever reason, may be lacking teeth at all can enjoy these candies.