Name: Orange Gumdrops
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon butter, softened, divided; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup light corn syrup; 3/4 cup water; 1 package (1-3/4 ounces) powdered fruit pectin; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1-1/2 teaspoons orange extract; 1 teaspoon grated orange zest; 4 drops yellow food coloring; 1 drop red food coloring; Additional sugar, optional

I get nothing but rave reviews when I make these gumdrops and usually have to prepare three batches. The refreshing orange flavor is a nice change from the usual chocolate holiday candies. —Becky Burch, Marceline, Missouri

Ingredients

1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon butter, softened, divided

1 cup sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

3/4 cup water

1 package (1-3/4 ounces) powdered fruit pectin

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1-1/2 teaspoons orange extract

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

4 drops yellow food coloring

1 drop red food coloring

Additional sugar, optional

Instructions

1 Line the bottom and sides of a 9x5-in. loaf pan with foil. Grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter; set aside.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 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.