Schnitzel & Boo: Three Weeks Off and a Birthday Party

I have been a busy, busy momma these last three weeks. My little baby turned three years old and to celebrate, we threw her a party. I love throwing parties so much that I have asked my husband-of almost four years-at least a hundred times if we can get married again just so I can plan another reception. It's surprising, really, but the answer is always no. It's a good thing I know that he loves me or I might start to develop a complex!

Over the next several days, I will be posting pictures and tutorials here and there of the things I made and/or put together for the occasion. Today I'm starting with a recipe for gumdrops. I saw these on Bakerella's website and knew I had to give them a try for The Roo's Sweet Shoppe themed party. Since I took three weeks off to craft, create, bake and make all the party details, I figured I would have enough time to make a batch of these delightful little treats. For some reason, I waited until almost the last minute. So, on the Thursday before the party (which was on Sunday) at about 11:00 at night, I made a batch and a half of rainbow gumdrops. Thankfully they were easy, pretty and so darn fun to make. I was finished just after midnight and the results were unbelievably spectacular. I will definitely make these again! Here is the recipe and how I did it. Enjoy!

Sweet Shoppe Rainbow Gumdrops

Ingredients

9 envelopes unflavored gelatin

1 1/2 cups cold water

2 1/4 cups boiling water

6 cups sugar

flavoring oils/extracts for candy making

food coloring

additional sugar for coating

-In a large pot, mix cold water and gelatin and mix with a wire whisk thoroughly to combine, let sit for 5 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon of flavoring oil and 1-2 drops food coloring to the bottom of each pan.

-Add boiling water, stirring until all of the gelatin has dissolved. Add sugar and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue to boil for 25 minutes, stirring constantly. (*tip-place a wooden spoon across the top of your pot to prevent it from boiling over.)

-Ladle the mixture evenly into each pan (one for you, one for me, one for you, one for me) and then stir with a small whisk or fork to incorporate the food coloring and flavoring oil evenly.

-Cover with plastic wrap and place pans in the fridge overnight, or at least 8 hours.

-Spray both sides of a sharp knife with cooking spray and cut the gelatin into 1/2" squares.

-Spray both sides of a thin cookie spatula with cooking spray and gently but forcefully wriggle the spatula under the gelatin to loosen it from the pan. Use your hands to peel-pull it out of the pan and drop into a bowl of granulated sugar.