Gum Drops

• 1 3/4 ounces powdered fruit pectin
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons imitation strawberry extract
• red food coloring
• sugar

Combine fruit pectin, water and baking soda in a medium sized saucepan. (This mixture will foam). Combine sugar and corn syrup in large saucepan. Place both saucepans over high heat. Cook, stirring alternately, until the foam disappears from the fruit pectin mixture and the sugar mixture boils rapidly, about 5 minutes.
Pour fruit pectin into boiling sugar mixture in a thin stream, until all pectin is added. Boil mixture, stirring constantly, 1 minute longer.
Remove saucepan from heat and stir in strawberry extract and a few drops of red food coloring. Immediately pour mixture into a 8 by 8 by 2 inch pan. For fancy shapes, spoon mixture into tiny tart or hors d'oeuvres pans. Allow to stand at room temperature (do not refrigerate) 3 hours, or until candy is cool and firm. Cut gum drop mixture into shapes with small cutters or cut into cubes with a knife dipped in warm water. Roll in granulated sugar.

Green Gum Drops
Substitute oil of anise for strawberry extract and greed food coloring for red

Yellow Gum Drops
Substitute oil of lemon for strawberry extract and yellow food coloring for red

Yield: 1 1/4 pounds

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