CANDY TRAY RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine Jell-O, unflavored gelatin and citric acid in a medium microwave-safe bowl and stir to combine.
• Add the corn syrup and water, and stir gently with a soup spoon until all of the ingredients are blended together. Stirring too fast may add air bubbles to the mixture, so keep it slow and sweeping. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes so that the gelatin can bloom.
• Stir the candy syrup gently again, then microwave it on high for 30 seconds. Stir it again, then zap it for another 15 seconds. Repeat heating it for 15 seconds 3 more times for a total heating time of 1 1/2 minutes. If air bubbles begin to form on the surface of the gelatin, stop heating and stir gently. You don't want any bubbles in the syrup if you can help it. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Give the solution a gentle stir every couple of minutes and you should see it become clearer over time.
• Spray the bear molds lightly with oil spray.
• Pour the candy syrup into a measuring cup with a spout, then carefully pour the liquid into the bear molds. Don't fill each bear all of the way to the top. Leave a little room in each mold.
• Let the candy sit for 30 minutes, then put the molds into your refrigerator for another 30 minutes.
• When the candy is firm push each piece out of the molds and arrange them on a baking sheet or in a large storage container so that they are each standing upright. Let them sit this way for 48 hours, then lay them on their backs for 24 hours. This process will help the bears dehydrate so that they are chewy like the originals. Depending on your climate, your gummy bears may have shrunken enough after 72 hours. If not, leave them out for another day or two, until they are chewy. Toss them around every so often as they dry out. When they are chewy enough for you, seal them up in an air-tight covered container or zip-top bag. Keep them stored in a sealed container and they should last for a couple weeks.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Combine butter and sugar in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add eggs; continue beating until well mixed. Add flour and baking powder; beat at low speed until well mixed. Stir in crushed candy.
• Divide dough into fourths on lightly floured surface with lightly floured hands. Shape each into 9x1 1/2-inch log. Place logs 3 inches apart onto parchment-lined large cookie sheet.
• Bake 18-20 minutes or until tops are cracked and ends just start to turn light brown. Remove from oven; reduce oven to 325°F. Cool logs 10 minutes on cookie sheet.
• Carefully remove logs to cutting surface. Cut into 1/2-inch slices on bias with sharp serrated knife. (Discard ends.) Arrange pieces on same cookie sheet, cut-side down. Continue baking, turning once, 12-14 minutesor until cookies are lightly browned and crisp on both sides. Remove to cooling rack; cool completely.
• Place candy coating in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5-7 minutes or until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in food color and peppermint flavoring, if desired.
• Dip each biscotti half way into warm coating; shake off excess. Place onto waxed paper. Immediately sprinkle with decorator candies, sugars or crushed candy canes, if desired. Let set at room temperature until coating is hardened.