Gum Drops
rec.food.recipes/Glenn/Sharon Gorman/1994
Makes about 1 1/4 pounds

1 package (1 3/4 ounce) powdered fruit pectin
3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoons imitation strawberry extract*
red food coloring*
sugar

Combine fruit pectin, water and baking soda in a medium-size pan. (Note, mixture will foam)

Combine sugar and corn syrup in large saucepan.

Place both saucepans over high heat. Cook, stirring alternately until foam disappears from fruit pectin mixture and sugar mixture boils rapidly for 5 minutes.

Pour fruit pectin mixture into boiling sugar mixture in a thin stream until all pectin is added. Boil, stirring constantly 1 minute longer.

Remove pan from heat. Stir in extract and a few drops of coloring. Immediately pour mixture into and 8x8x2 inch pan. For fancier shapes spoon mixture into tart or similar little pans. Allow to stand at room temperature (do NOT refrigerate) about 3 hours or until candy is cool and firm.

Cut gum drop mixture into fancy shapes with small cutters or into cubes with a knife dipped in warm water. Roll in granulated sugar.

Variations:
Green ones substitute oil of anise for strawberry extract and green food coloring for red.

Yellow ones substitute oil of lemon and yellow food coloring

Red ones substitute oil of clove for strawberry extract, etc.

Substitute oil of anise; a mint extract; oil of lemon; oil of clove (a drop or two) for strawberry extract and green; yellow food coloring for red. I blend my food colorings to make a colorful variety of gumdrops.

Gumdrops also mkae good caketop decorations. My kids always let me use their "play baking" items and play doh cutters. (I still use these miniatures along with my ancient "sewing" thimbles.) - Sally Heartmade