Homemade Citrus Gumdrops

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh lemon, orange, lime, tangerine, or grapefruit juice strained to remove pulp
1 tablespoon fresh zest of citrus fruit of choice
2 1/2 tablespoons powdered gelatin
3/4 cup water
2 cups Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
Pinch of salt
Food coloring to match flavor

Line an 8 x 8 inch pan with tinfoil and very lightly oil. (You can do it without oil it is just not as easy to separate the gumdrop from the surface.)
In a large bowl, combine juice and zest and allow to rest for 5 or so minutes to soften up zest and release some of its flavorful oils.
Sprinkle gelatin over juice mixture, stir until completely combined then set aside.
In a medium pot, combine water, sugar, and salt and stir while bringing to a boil. Stop stirring when it begins to boil and keep it at a boil for 5 minutes.
Pour sugar mixture over gelatin mixture and stir until it is smooth and all gelatin has dissolved.
Pour into prepared pan, set aside overnight.
Using fondant cutters for small gumdrops or cookie cutters for larger gumdrops, cut into shapes and roll in sugar. Let them set for a day or so to form gumdrop crust.

Imperial Sugar Insight

Recipe developed for Imperial Sugar by Carrie Fields @fieldsofcake.