Orange Gumdrops Food

ORANGE GUMDROPS

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.

ORANGE GUMDROPS

Steps:

• Line loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches, with aluminum foil. Brush with oil. Heat 1 cup sugar and the corn syrup to boiling in 1-1/2 quart saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cook, without stirring, to 280 degrees F. on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water separates into hard but not brittle threads.
• While cooking sugar mixture, heat orange juice, pectin and baking soda to boiling (mixture will be foamy) in 2-quart saucepan over high heat, stirring constantly; reduce heat.
• Slowly pour hot sugar mixture in a thin stream into orange juice mixture, stirring constantly (this should take 1 to 2 minutes); remove from heat. Stir in food color. Let stand 2 minutes. Skim off foam.
• Pour mixture into pan. Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature 24 hours. Lift foil from pan and remove foil from sides. Cut into 3/4-inch squares with knife dipped into sugar. Roll squares in sugar. Let stand uncovered at room temperature 1 hour. Store gumdrops in airtight container.
• Grape Gumdrops: Substitute grape juice for the orange juice and blue food color for the red.
• Apple-Cherry Gumdrops: Substitute apple-cherry drink for the orange juice and use red food color.

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.

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.

ORANGE SLICE GUMDROP CAKE

Steps:

• Let butter and eggs come to room temperature.
• Combein gumdrops and 1/2 cup flour.
• Grease and flour 2 9x5-inch loaf pans.
• Lay a strip of parchment paper inside so it covers the two long sides and bottom.
• Set aside.
• In large bowl, beat butter with mixer 30 seconds or until softened.
• Gradually add sugar, beat until combined.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating after each and scraping the bowl frequently.
• Add the 3 cups flour and buttermilk alternately to egg mixture; beat after each addition.
• Fold in dates, coconut and nuts.
• Fold in gumdrops.
• Spread batter evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake at 300°F for about 1 hour and 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Meanwhile, make Orange Glaze by stirring together the confectioners' sugar and orange juice until smooth.
• Pour Orange Glaze over the hot cakes.
• Cool in pans on wire racks for 20 minutes.
• Remove from pans; remove parchment paper.
• Cool completely.
• Wrap each cake in plastic wrap.
• Store in refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
• Serve at room temperature.

LEMON GUMDROPS

Steps:

• Butter an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Dissolve the gelatin in 1/2 cup water for 5 minutes. Combine 2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir constantly and wash down the sides of the pan several times with a pastry brush that has been dipped in cold water to prevent crystallization.
• Add the gelatin and continue boiling and stirring until it thickens, 15 minutes.
• Add the lemon juice and orange zest and boil for 5 more minutes. Stir in the food coloring. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and let set up for about 1 hour.
• Put the remaining sugar in a shallow bowl. Butter a large chef's knife and your fingers. Cut the lemon gel into 1/2-inch squares and coat with the sugar.