Instructions: Line a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with foil, extending foil over edges of the pan.

Butter the foil; set pan aside.

Butter the sides of a heavy 1 1/2-quart saucepan. In the saucepan combine the 1 cup sugar and the corn syrup. Cook over medium-high heat to boiling, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to dissolve sugar. This should take about 10 minutes. Avoid splashing mixture on sides of pan. Carefully clip candy thermometer to side of pan.

Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, till the thermometer registers 280 deg.F., soft-crack stage. Mixture should boil at a moderate, steady rate over the entire surface. Reaching soft-crack stage should take about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a heavy 2-quart saucepan combine water, pectin, and baking soda. (Mixture will be foamy.) Cook over high heat to boiling, stirring constantly. This should take about 2 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; set saucepan aside.

When sugar mixture has reached soft-crack stage, remove the saucepan from heat; remove candy thermometer from saucepan. Return pectin mixture to high heat; cook till mixture just begins to simmer.

_Gradually_ pour the hot sugar mixture in a thin stream (slightly less than 1/8-inch diameter) into the boiling pectin mixture, stirring constantly.

This should take 1 to 2 minutes. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute more.

Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in orange extract, orange peel, and yellow and red food colorings. Pour candy mixture into prepared pan. Let stand about 2 hours or till firm.

When firm, use foil to lift candy out of pan. Use a buttered knive to cut candy into about 3/4-inch squares. Roll squares in additional sugar. Store loosely covered.

Makes about 72 pieces.

Cinnamon Gumdrops: Prepare Orange Gumdrops as directed above, except substitute 3 drops oil of cinnamon and 7 drops red food coloring for the orange extract, orange peel, and yellow and red food colorings.

Mint Gumdrops: Prepare Orange Gumdrops as directed above, except substitute 3/4 teaspoon mint extract and 7 drops green food coloring for the orange extract, orange peel, and yellow and red food colorings.

Lemon Gumdrops: Prepare Orange Gumdrops as directed above, except substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract, 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel, and 7 drops yellow food coloring for the orange extract, orange peel, and yellow and red food colorings.

Hope this helps. Kyosho

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.