Cinnamon Gumdrops

Cinnamon Gumdrops
Guy Crittenden / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 64 servings

Sweet, chewy gumdrops have been part of the American candy tradition for over a century. Although there is no clear origin for this colorful, dome-shaped confection, history leans towards Percy Truesdell, a candy maker in Ohio, as the creator of these little bites during the early 1900s. Although there's no consensus on the true origin, plenty of variations of the gumdrop have appeared over the decades and there are many fantastic recipes for enjoying their deliciousness at home. Our take on this classic eschews the fruity route in favor of a more adult flavoring using cinnamon oil. Spicy and sweet, this is a fun twist on the traditional fruit-flavored gumdrop.

The drops are made using pectin, a plant-derived product used as a stabilizer, gelling agent, and thickening agent in commercial and homemade food. Apples, quince, and citrus fruit (rinds and seeds) are very high in pectin and many recipes use these instead of concentrated pectin to thicken jams and jellies. Commercially produced pectin comes in many varieties because each recipe in which it's used has different needs—the pectin you'd use in a low-sugar preparation might be different than the one you might need for a jelly that you need to be clear in its final form. For our recipe, you need the easily available powdered pectin that comes in small packets. Besides that, the recipe requires sugar, baking soda, cinnamon oil, and food coloring to give the gummies a pretty red hue. Choose from traditional food coloring or buy natural and organic food coloring extracted from plants such as beets, berries, and tomatoes. As for the cinnamon oil, be mindful that not all cinnamon oils are edible and what is known as an essential oil should never be digested. Buy edible cinnamon oil online or at upscale grocers that carry other edible oils.

The recipe doesn't take long to make but requires some technical knowledge of candy making, a candy thermometer, and a neat mise en place, as everything needs to be measured and ready for use before you start. Your allies will be careful timing and coordination, so make sure your equipment is also ready before you begin.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar, plus more for coating the gumdrops

  • 1 cup light corn syrup

  • 3/4 cup water

  • 1 package/1.75 ounces fruit pectin

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 8 drops red food coloring

  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon oil

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingridients.

  2. Prepare an 8-inch pan by covering it with aluminum foil and spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.

  3. Combine 1 cup of sugar and the corn syrup in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture is vigorously boiling, about 8 to 10 minutes.

  4. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the candy reads 280 F on the candy thermometer, soft crack stage.

  5. While you are waiting for the candy to reach the proper temperature, mix the water, pectin, and baking soda in medium saucepan. Place over high heat and cook to boiling point. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

  6. Once sugar/corn syrup mixture is at the soft crack stage, place the pectin mixture back on high heat. Stream the sugar mixture into the pectin mixture slowly, while stirring.

  7. Continue to cook the candy, while stirring constantly, for an additional minute.

  8. Remove from the heat, and stir in food coloring and cinnamon oil.

  9. Pour into prepared pan and let set until firm.

  10. Cut with a sharp knife or cookie cutters, and roll pieces in granulated sugar.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
30 Calories
0g Fat
8g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 64
Amount per serving
Calories 30
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 15mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 0mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)