Goody Goody Gumdrops - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
1 cup cold water
1 1/2 cups boiling water
4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 1/2 teaspoon orange extract or 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, etc
3 -4 drops desired food coloring
granulated sugar

Preparation

In a large sauce pan, soften gelatin in cold water 5 minutes.
Stir in boiling water until gelatin is dissolved.
Stir in sugar and bring mixture to a boil on medium-high heat.
Boil to 280 degrees on a candy thermometer about 25 minutes, stirring constantly. (You can also test the candy by dropping a small amount of candy into cold water. The candy is ready when it separates into hard threads that aren't brittle.)
Pour mixture into two foil lined and greased 8 x 8 inch pans.
To each pan add 1/2 teaspoon desired favouring and desired food color (if you want clear gumdrops, do not add color).
Stir until combined.
Refridgerate pans overnight.
Lift foil from the pan and remove from from the sides of the candy.
Using a knife dipped in hot water, cut gelatin mixture into 1-inch cubes.
Roll each cube in granulated sugar until well coated and allow to sit at room temperature two days to crystallize.
Store in airtight containers.