Super Sour Candy Recipes

HOW TO MAKE SOUR CANDY

Steps:

• Puree the fruit. Add 1 cup (200 g) of frozen fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, that has been defrosted to a food processor. Process the fruit until it is pureed smooth. If you don't have a food processor, you can puree the fruit in a blender.
• Heat the fruit, water, lemon juice, and honey to a simmer. Add the pureed fruit, 1 cup (79 ml) of water, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of fresh lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons (43 g) of honey to a small saucepan. Place it on the stove over medium-low heat, and heat it until it reaches a simmer, which should take 2 to 3 minutes. Stir the mixture with a whisk periodically to ensure that the ingredients are well blended.
• Whisk the gelatin into the mixture. Once the mixture reaches a simmer, sprinkle 4 teaspoons (12 g) of unflavored gelatin over it. Use a whisk to mix it in, stirring constantly. Add the gelatin to the mixture slowly. If you dump it in all at once, it can form a glob that you won't be able to get rid of.
• Return the mixture to a simmer. After the gelatin is incorporated, continue heating the mixture on medium-low. Allow it to come back to a simmer, stirring often to ensure that the ingredients are combined. The mixture's texture will change as the gelatin melts in. Instead of have a grainy, jelly-like consistency, it will become smooth and glassy.
• Remove the mixture from the heat and strain it to remove hard bits. When the gelatin is fully melted in, take the pan off the stove. Pour into a heatproof measuring cup through a sieve to remove any hard bits of fruit or gelatin and discard the solids. If there are any bubbles on the top of the mixture after you've strained it, remove them with a spoon.
• Pour the mixture into molds and chill them for several hours. Once the mixture is strained, add it to silicone candy molds. Place the molds in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours to fully set up. Because the candy has the texture of gummy bears, you may want to use bear-shaped molds. If you don't have candy molds, you can pour the mixture into a baking sheet that's lined with plastic wrap and cut it with a knife or cookie cutters after it's set. When using molds, it helps to place them on baking sheets before filling them. That makes it easier to carry the candy to the fridge without spilling the mixture. If you notice any bubbles in the mixture after you've poured it into the mold, pop them with a toothpick.
• Mix the sugar and citric acid. For the coating, add ½ cup (100 g) of sugar and 1 to 3 teaspoons (6 ¼ to 18 ¾ g) citric acid to a small bowl. Whisk them together well to ensure that they're fully blended. Choose the amount of citric acid based on how sour you want the candies to be. A single teaspoon (6 ¼ g) will be fairly sour, but adding more makes the candy's flavor more intense.
• Unmold the candy and toss it in the sugar mixture. When the candy has chilled for several hours, remove it from the fridge. Carefully pop the candies out of the molds, and drop them in the bowl with the sugar coating. Toss well to ensure that they're coated on all sides.
• Store the candy in an airtight container. The candy is ready to eat right away, but if you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container. They'll stay fresh for about a week.

LEMON DROP CANDY RECIPE

Steps:

• Squeeze lemons until you get 1 cup of fresh juice.
• Combine lemon juice and sugar and stir to dissolve.
• Boil mixture until thick and syrupy-about 20-30 minutes, stirring regularly. Test the syrup by dropping a small bit into cold water-if it crystallizes and becomes brittle, it's ready!
• Spray down a mini muffin tin or silicone mold with cooking spray and add heated mixture to the tin/mold. Fill each mini muffin cup less than halfway full, or fill small silicone molds about ¾ full. (I used a cooking syringe to help transfer my syrup into the silicone molds.)
• Transfer filled molds to the fridge to cool until hardened, ~1-2 hours.
• Pop out and enjoy!
• Yields 30 homemade lemon drop hard candies.

SOUR GUMMIES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Prepare the candy molds or an 8 by 8-inch pan by spraying them lightly with cooking spray. Be sure to get in all the cracks and crevices if it's a detailed candy mold.
• Place the water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
• Immediately add the gelatin, Jell-O, and Kool-Aid, and stir vigorously until all of the powder has completely dissolved.
• Pour the candy into the prepared pan or spoon it into the prepared molds.
• Place the pan or molds in the refrigerator to set for approximately 20 minutes. If you used candy molds, simply pop the gummy candy out of the molds. The candy in the pan can be cut into squares or a variety of shapes using cookie cutters.

SUPER SOUR CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan. In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, whole eggs, and 2 packages drink mix with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes.
• Pierce top of warm cake every 1/2 inch with long-tined fork, wiping fork occasionally to reduce sticking. Drizzle 1/2 cup lemonade concentrate evenly over top of cake. Cool completely, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.
• In medium bowl, stir 1 package drink mix into 2 tablespoons lemonade concentrate until dissolved. Beat in powdered sugar and butter on low speed. Gradually beat in enough of the remaining 2 to 3 tablespoons lemonade concentrate, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make frosting smooth and spreadable. Spread frosting over top of cake. Cut into serving pieces. Decorate with sour candies. Store loosely covered.

JUJUBES CANDY

Steps:

• Prepare a 6-inch square pan by wetting it lightly with water, and wetting a knife or cookie cutter. Or use a mold pan.
• Stir together the gelatin and sugar in a medium saucepan, then add the puree and 2/3 cup water.
• Stir over medium heat until the sugar and gelatin are dissolved.
• Bring to a boil, then cover and boil for 5 minutes.
• Pour into the prepared pan and allow to set completely.
• Once set, turn out of the pan onto waxed paper. Cut into squares or shapes with the prepared, wetted tool of your choice.
• Roll candies in granulated or superfine sugar.