Orange Gumdrops (Candy for Christmas) from the Farm

Name: Orange Gumdrops (Candy for Christmas) from the Farmhouse
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon butter, for greasing the pan; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup light corn syrup; ¾ cup water; 1 (1 3/4 ounce) package powdered fruit pectin; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1 ½ teaspoons orange flavoring (or extract); 1 teaspoon grated orange peel; 4 drops yellow food coloring; 1 drop red food coloring

Servings: persons

1
Line bottom and sides of 9x5 loaf pan with foil; grease the foil with butter; set aside.
2
Grease bottom and sides of heavy saucepan with remaining butter; add sugar and corn syrup; cook & stir over medium heat until it comes to a boil--about 9 minutes.
3
Tweak heat up to med-hi until candy thermometer reads 280* (soft-crack stage), stirring constantly.
4
Meanwhile (this is getting exciting!
5
), in another large saucepan, combine water, pectin and soda (slight foaming--see, I told you this was exciting); cook and stir over HIGH heat until boiling--about 2 minutes.
6
REMOVE from heat; set aside.
7
Back to the other pan: when 280*; remove from heat -- return pectin pan to med-hi heat to a SIMMER; carefully and slowly (see this IS exciting!)
8
ladle corn syrup mixture into a VERY THIN stream into the pectin mixture, stirring constantly (you may need another hand here in case you're not multi-ambidextrous!).
9
Cook and stir one minute longer.
10
Remove from heat, stir in Flavorful Deliciousness'es.
11
Pour into prepped pan.
12
Let the candy sit for TWO HOURS.
13
(Clean up the mess over at the stove.)
14
Cut into tiny squares (try to get six dozen, that's six by twelve or 72 pieces--yes, from that one loaf pan--but remember, dearie, this is CANDY!
15
).
16
Roll gumdrops in additional sugar if desired.

281

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 teaspoon butter, for greasing the pan, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup, and more.

Yes, Orange Gumdrops (Candy for Christmas) from the Farmhouse falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Orange Gumdrops (Candy for Christmas) from the Farmhouse

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions