Fruit Drop Candies Recipes

FRUITCAKE DROPS

Steps:

• Measure golden raisins, currants, candied fruit, pecans and 1/2 cup flour into bowl. Stir well to coat. Set aside.
• Cream butter and sugar together. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Add vanilla and brandy flavoring.
• Stir 1 cup flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together and add.
• Mix in fruit. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet.
• Bake in 325 F oven for 15-20 minutes.

ORANGE GUMDROPS

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of a 9x5-in. loaf pan with foil. Grease the foil with 1 teaspoon butter; set aside. , Grease the bottom and sides of a large heavy saucepan with the remaining butter; add sugar and corn syrup. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, about 9 minutes. Cook over medium-high heat until a candy thermometer reads 280° (soft-crack stage), stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, in another large saucepan, combine the water, pectin and baking soda (mixture will foam slightly). Cook and stir over high heat until mixture boils, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; set aside., When corn syrup mixture reaches 280° (soft-crack stage), remove from the heat. Return pectin mixture to medium-high heat; cook until mixture begins to simmer. Carefully and slowly ladle corn syrup mixture in a very thin stream into pectin mixture, stirring constantly. Cook and stir 1 minute longer., Remove from the heat; stir in the extract, zest and food coloring. Transfer to prepared pan. Let stand until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into squares. If desired, roll in additional sugar.

CHRISTMAS FRUIT DROP COOKIES

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, buttermilk and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until blended, or mix with spoon. Gradually stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in cherries, dates and chopped pecans. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Grease cookie sheet. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet. Place a pecan half on each cookie.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

HOLIDAY FRUIT DROPS

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Reserve.
• Cream the softened butter and add the brown sugar and eggs. Beat until mixture is light and fluffy.
• Add the buttermilk, vanilla, and flour mixture. Mix well. Stir in the nuts, cherry halves and cut-up dates.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls on lightly greased cookie sheets. If you wish, you may top each cookie with a nut half for decoration. Bake in preheated oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.