Fruit Drop Candies Recipes

FRUIT JELLY CANDIES

Steps:

• Spray two 8-inch square pans with vegetable-oil spray. Prepare flavoring.
• In a 6-quart saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 2 cups water; let gelatin soften for about 3 minutes. Add granulated sugar and citric acid. Heat slowly over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until sugar has dissolved, about 10 minutes. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to remove any sugar crystals.
• Increase heat to high; bring gelatin to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and boil gelatin, without stirring, 15 minutes. The syrup needs to be watched while it boils; if it starts to turn dark tan before the 15 minutes, it is ready. Remove from heat.
• Let stand for 5 minutes while bubbles dissipate; some white foam will remain. Whisk in flavoring. Without scraping pot, pour evenly into prepared pans. Let stand, uncovered, for 24 hours. Unmold, cut into 1-inch squares or other desired shapes; roll in superfine or confectioners' sugar, and serve.
• Whisk together 1/4 cup red-currant jelly, sieved to remove seeds and 1 tablespoon rose water in a small bowl.
• Chop 4 ounces dried apricots medium fine, place in a small saucepan, and add 1 cup water.
• Cover, and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium low, and cook, covered, until water has been absorbed, 10 to 20 minutes. Transfer apricots to a food processor. Process to a fine puree. Transfer to a bowl, and add 1 tablespoon or apricot oil or orange-flower water.
• Place 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries and 1 cup water in a saucepan; cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, and cook until water has been absorbed, 10 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer to the bowl of a food processor. Process to a fine puree. Transfer to a bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon orange-flower water and 1 cup dried cranberries.
• Place 6 ounces dried figs, chopped medium fine, in a small saucepan, add 1 cup dry red wine and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, and cover. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium low, and cook for 15 minutes, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
• Transfer to the bowl of a food processor, and puree. Transfer to a bowl, and stir in 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract.
• Mix together 1/2 cup boysenberry or grape jelly and 1 tablespoon pure anise extract or oil in a small bowl.
• Chop 8 ounces dried pineapple medium fine. Place in a saucepan with 1 cup water; cover. Bring to a boil. Cook over medium-low heat until most of the water has been absorbed, 15 minutes.
• Transfer to the bowl of a food processor; process until mixture is as smooth as possible. Transfer to a small bowl, and mix in 1 tablespoon lemon oil.

CANDIED FRUIT COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in fruits and nuts. , Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks.

CHRISTMAS FRUIT DROP COOKIES

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, buttermilk and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until blended, or mix with spoon. Gradually stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in cherries, dates and chopped pecans. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Grease cookie sheet. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet. Place a pecan half on each cookie.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

FRUIT DROP CANDIES

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in the fruit and almonds until well coated. Drop by tablespoonfuls into 16 mounds onto a waxed paper- lined pan. Refrigerate until set.

FRUIT GUMMY CANDIES

Steps:

• Prepare a 6-inch inch pan by wetting it lightly with water.
• Place the gelatin in 4 tbsp of water to soften for about 5 minutes.
• Place the juice, sugar and corn syrup in a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves.
• Stir in the gelatin and continue stirring until gelatin dissolves.
• At this point add food coloring if desired.
• Pour into prepared pan and leave until completely set.
• When set, turn out of pan and cut with a sharp knife or cookie cutter into desired shapes.
• Jellies can be rolled in superfine sugar, if desired, or served plain.