Rose Drops

Roses have a glorious and colorful history. They’ve long been symbols of love and beauty. Rose is also an ancient flavor used for foods--especially desserts and for candymaking. I have long used rose flavor in candies for the very subtle and gently aromatic quality it imparts. I recently made rose hard candies I call "Rose Drops" using a late 1800s, hand crank drop roller that I own. It has interchangeable brass rollers with different designs that themselves are beautiful. Below is the recipe ; at home use candy molds.

Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 20 min Makes: About 3 dozen drops

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/4 cup corn syrup

• 1 teaspoon rose water flavor (http://www.nielsenmassey.com/)

• Gel-paste food coloring, such as Tulip Red or Soft Pink

Special equipment: High temp. candy molds, candy thermometer

Directions

1. Bring sugar, water, and corn syrup to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Heat until syrup registers 300 degrees on a candy thermometer.

2. Remove from heat, and stir in rose flavor and 1 or 2 drops food coloring using a heatproof rubber spatula. (Mixture will steam and bubble when liquid is added, so be careful.)

3. Transfer mixture to a liquid heat proof measuring cup, and slowly pour mixture into candy molds. Let harden and cool completely before removing from molds.