National Candy Month: How to Make Gumdrops

Our celebration of National Candy Month continues!

So far we’ve shared recipes for Rock Candy and Tuxedo Strawberries. Next up is a classic piece of candy. So simple. So delicious. So chewy. Gumdrops.

Gumdrops

From the Field Guide to Candy by Anita Chu

Because the joy of eating gumdrops shouldn’t be reserved for when you’re decorating a gingerbread house. These gumdrop critters are fun to make and fun to eat.

Ingredients:

– 5 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin

– ¼ cup sugar

– 1 tablespoon lemon juice

– 1 teaspoon vanilla or other fruit-flavored extract

– Few drops food coloring, if desired

– Granulated or sparkling sugar for rolling

Instructions:

– Line an 8-by-8 inch baking pan with a piece of foil long enough to hang over the edges and act as handles. Grease foil with cooking spray.

– Combine the gelatin, sugar, and ½ cup water in a saucepan.

– Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and gelatin dissolve.

– Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.

– Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Let set overnight until firm.

– Use mini cookie cutters or a knife heated under hot water to cut gumdrops into squares or other shapes. Roll in sugar.

Gumdrop Critters:

Cut gumdrops with kitchen shears to create sticky surfaces for joining them together. Use a toothpick to make indentations, then insert sprinkles as eyes and noses.

—