Orange Jelly Candies

The Daycare Lady's Note:

Making candy is my favorite thing to do. I've been collecting candy recipes for more than 40 years and have taken several candy-making classes. These soft confections are fantastic. —Leah Jackson, Washington, Utah From Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2005

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 27

Yield: 81.0 pieces

• 2 teaspoons butter
• 1 (1 ¾ ounce) package powdered fruit pectin
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1⁄8; teaspoon orange oil
• 5 drops red food coloring
• 5 drops yellow food coloring
• additional sugar

Directions:

1. Butter a 9-in. square pan with 2 teaspoons butter; set aside. In a large saucepan, combine the pectin, baking soda and water (mixture will be foamy). In another saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup. Bring both mixtures to a boil. Cook until foam on pectin mixture thins slightly and sugar mixture comes to a full rolling boil, about 4 minutes. Gradually add pectin mixture to boiling sugar mixture, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
2. Remove from the heat. Stir in orange oil and food coloring. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Let stand at room temperature for 3 hours or until set.
3. Sprinkle waxed paper with sugar; invert pan onto sugar. With a knife dipped in warm water, cut candy into 1-in. squares; roll in additional sugar. Place on a wire rack. Let stand, uncovered, at room temperature overnight. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 81 pieces.