Best Easy Gumdrop Whirligigs Recipes

HOMEMADE GUMDROPS

Steps:

• Lightly spray candy molds or miniature muffin cups with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, sprinkle gelatin on 1/2 cup cold water; set aside.
• In small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup water and 2 cups sugar to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 5 minutes until sugar is dissolved and mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat; carefully add to gelatin mixture, stirring until gelatin is dissolved.
• Divide mixture into 4 small bowls (or more, depending on how many colors/flavors you want). Tint each bowl with 4 to 5 drops food color, then stir in 1/2 teaspoon extract. Carefully spoon mixture into molds. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight until set.
• Carefully remove gumdrops from molds, using a butter knife as needed to coax gumdrops from molds. Roll gumdrops in sugar; place on waxed paper. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours to crystallize slightly. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

QUICK & EASY GUMDROPS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup water; let stand 5 minutes. In a small saucepan, bring sugar and remaining water to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add gelatin; reduce heat. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in extract and food coloring as desired., Pour into a greased 8-in. square pan. Refrigerate, covered, 3 hours or until firm., Loosen edges of candy from pan with a knife; turn onto a sugared work surface. Cut into 1-in squares; roll in sugar. Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature until all sides are dry, turning every hour, 3-4 hours. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

EASY GUMDROP COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, mix cookie mix, flour, softened butter and egg with spoon until soft dough forms. Stir in 1/2 cup of the quartered gumdrops.
• Shape dough into 40 (1 1/4-inch) balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased large cookie sheets; flatten each ball to 1 1/2-inch circle. On each dough round, sprinkle sugar and place 3 quartered gumdrops.
• Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are set and light brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 20 minutes. Store covered in airtight container.

GUMDROP SQUARES

Steps:

• Sprinkle gelatin over cold water and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil. Stir in 2 cups sugar and boil 5 minutes. Stir in gelatin mixture. Allow to boil gently for 15 minutes.
• Dip three shallow, small pans in cold water, then remove. Remove boiling mixture from heat, and divide evenly among three heat-proof bowls. Flavor one bowl with peppermint, one with lemon, and one with cinnamon. Tint the peppermint green, the lemon yellow, and the cinnamon red. Pour each mixture into its own pan and let rest overnight to set.
• Turn gumdrops out onto a sugared board and cut into squares with a sharp knife. Roll cut gumdrops in sugar. Let stand until firm.

EASY GUMDROP WHIRLIGIGS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 F. Remove half of cookie dough from wrapper; refrigerate remaining dough until needed. On lightly floured surface with rolling pin, roll half of dough into 9-inch square (make edges square with side of ruler). Cut into 9 (3-inch) squares; place on ungreased large cookie sheet.
• With sharp knife or fluted pastry wheel, cut each square from each corner almost to center, leaving about 1 inch uncut in center. Place wooden stick on each square with one end in center. Fold alternate corners of square over, pressing in center. Place gumdrop half in center to resemble button. Sprinkle whirligigs with red and/or green sugar. Repeat with remaining half of dough.
• Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet and place on wire racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

GUMDROP LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well.
• Stir in vanilla.
• In another bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.
• Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk; fold in gumdrops and raisins.
• Pour mixture into greased loaf pan and bake for one to one and a half hours or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool for 20 minutes in pan and then remove to finish cooling on wire rack.