Drop Mix Candy Food

WHITE CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT DROPS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place one-third of the white chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted. Set aside to cool slightly. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the melted white chocolate until smooth, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture in 2 batches and beat until combined. Beat in half of the remaining chopped white chocolate. Roll heaping tablespoonfuls of dough into balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake the cookies, switching the position of the pans halfway through, until the edges are slightly golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool 3 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Make the glaze: Microwave the remaining chopped white chocolate (you can use the same bowl as before) in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted; stir in the heavy cream, and peppermint extract to taste. Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze and return to the rack. Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and let set, about 1 hour.
• Photograph by Johnny Miller

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.

DROP MIX CANDY

Steps:

• Melt almond bark.
• Stir in all ingredients.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper and allow to dry.

GUMDROP CANDY

Steps:

• Grease a 9x9 inch glass baking dish, and set aside.
• Place applesauce in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in 1 cup sugar, and return to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Stir in gelatin mix, and boil for one more minute. Pour into the prepared pan, and chill for several hours or overnight, until firmly set.
• Once the gelatin has set, coat the top surface with white sugar. Turn the pan over, and tap the gel out onto a clean surface that has been dusted with sugar. Cut into 1 inch squares, and roll in sugar. Candy will be very sticky. Let the sugared squares set out to dry for at least a couple of hours before storing.

CHOCOLATE CREAM DROPS

Steps:

• Mix thoroughly shortening, sugars and egg. Stir in melted chocolate. Next stir in sour cream (or milk) and vanilla. Sift flour, soda, and salt together and stir into batter. Mix nuts into dough. Chill dough if soft.
• Heat oven to 375°F
• Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough about 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake about 10 min until soft, when touched lightly with finger, almost no impression remains.
• For icing, melt chocolate and butter together (about 1 minute on High in microwave, stir after 30 seconds) then mix in powdered sugar until spreadable. If you need to refrigerate this and it gets hard, soften in microwave on high for 10-15 seconds. Spread icing on cookies when cool.

OLD FASHIONED COCONUT DROPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
• Combine flour and margarine in a medium size mixing bowl. Mix in sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. Stir the egg into the mixture. Once the egg is well incorporated stir in the coconut, raisins and vanilla. Drop the dough in rough heaps the size of an egg onto cookie sheets.
• Bake 8 minutes or until lightly browned.

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.