Gum Drops

1 package (a 3/4 ounces) powdered fruit pectin
3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoons imitation strawberry extract
red food coloring
sugar

Combine fruit pectin, water and baking soda in a medium−size pan. (Note, mixture will foam).

Combine sugar and corn syrup in large saucepan. Place both saucepans over high heat. Cook, stirring alternately until foam disappears from fruit pectin mixture and sugar mixture boils rapidly for 5 minutes.

Pour fruit pectin mixture into boiling sugar mixture in a thin stream until all pectin is added. Boil, stirring constantly 1 minute longer. Remove pan from heat. Stir in extract and a few drops of coloring. Immediately pour mixture into and 8x8x2 inch pan. For fancier shapes spoon mixture into tart or similar little pans. Allow to stand at room temperature (do NOT refrigerate) about 3 hours or until candy is cool and firm.

Cut gum drop mixture into fancy shapes with small cutters or into cubes with a knife dipped in warm water. Roll in granulated sugar.

For green gumdrops: Substitute oil of anise for strawberry extract and green food coloring for red.

For yellow: Substitute oil of lemon and yellow food coloring

For red: Substitute oil of clove for strawberry extract

Makes about 1 1/4 pound.