Cranberry Gumdrops Food

CRANBERRY MARTINIS

Steps:

• Several days ahead, place the sugar, cranberries, 6 strips of orange zest, and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, until the cranberries start to pop open. Pour the vodka into a large pitcher, add the cranberry mixture, and store covered in the refrigerator for at least 2 days and up to 5 days.
• When ready to serve, strain the vodka mixture, reserving the cranberries and discarding the orange zest. Stir in the cranberry juice cocktail and Triple Sec. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the drink mixture, shake for a full 30 seconds (it's longer than you think!), and strain into martini glasses. Rub the rim of each glass with fresh orange zest, spoon a few cranberries into each glass, and serve ice cold.

HOMEMADE GUMDROPS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup water to soften; set aside.
• Put the granulated sugar and 1/2 cup water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cherry-flavored gelatin to the pan, followed by the softened unflavored gelatin. Stir and remove from the heat. Continue stirring until the gelatins are dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Strain into a measuring cup and let cool for 5 minutes; it will be warm but not yet set. Pour the liquid into the molds. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Remove the gumdrops from the molds and place onto wax paper. Coat some in granulated red sugar, some in granulated white sugar and some in coarse white sugar; return to the wax paper. Store in a cool dry place until ready to eat.

CRANBERRY GUMDROPS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over the cranberry juice; let stand for 2 minutes to soften. Add cranberry sauce and 1 cup of sugar; cook over low heat until sauce is melted and sugar is dissolved; about 10 minutes. Whisk until smooth.
• Remove from heat and add cranberry gelatin (raspberry gelatin if you can't find the cranberry gelatin); stir until completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Pour into 8 inch square dish that has been lightly coated with cooking spray. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 12 hours or overnight (do not refrigerate).
• Cut into one inch squares; roll in remaining sugar. Place on baking sheets; let stand at room temperature for at least 3 hours. I let mine stand overnight to keep the gumdrops from weeping. Turn pieces over and let stand for an additional 3 - 6 hours. Roll in additional sugar if desired. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
• Yield: about 5 dozen.

HOMEMADE GUMDROPS

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.

GUMDROP COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cream shortening and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in almond extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in gumdrops. , In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold into dough., Drop by level tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Cool 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

QUICK & EASY GUMDROPS

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.

FROSTED CRANBERRY DROP COOKIES

Steps:

• In a bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add milk, egg and orange juice; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in cranberries and nuts. , Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Cool on wire racks., For frosting, heat the butter in a saucepan over low heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes; transfer to a small bowl. Add sugar and vanilla. Beat in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until frosting reaches desired consistency. Frost the cookies.

GOODY-GOODY GUMDROPS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup water; let stand 5 minutes. In a small saucepan, bring sugar and remaining 3/4 cup water to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add gelatin mixture; simmer and stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in extract., Divide mixture between 2 bowls; tint 1 red and the other green with food coloring. Transfer each to a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan; cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, until firm, about 3 hours., Loosen sides from pan with a knife; turn onto a sugared cutting board. Cut into 1/2-in. cubes; roll in additional sugar., Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature until all sides are dry, 3-4 hours, turning every hour.