Orange Jelly Candies

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

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 27
• Yields: 81 pieces

Ingredients

• 2  teaspoons butter
• 1 (1 3/4ounce) package  powdered fruit pectin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3⁄4 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.