Orange Gumdrops

1 cup sugar
1 cup light-colored corn syrup
3/4 cup water
1 1-3/4-ounce package powdered fruit pectin
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons orange extract
1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
4 drops yellow food coloring
1 drop red food coloring
Sugar

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, until the
thermometer registers 280 degree 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 until 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 until firm.

When firm, use foil to lift candy out of pan. Use a buttered knife 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.