These intensely flavored pate de fruits, fruit candies are not hard to make, but they are a little fussy. Follow the formula exactly and be rewarded with delicious French "fruit pastes" for giving or keeping!
Mix about 100 g. of sugar with the pectin. Whisk them together really well. This helps keep your pate de fruits from having pectin globs in it. So do it.
Heat the puree to 120 degrees. F.
Whisk and whisk, and add the pectin/sugar mixture. Bring to a boil and let boil one minute.
Add the corn syrup and the rest of the sugar. Cook to 223 degrees, F. This could take a very long time. Your thermometer will read 218, and you'll think, "Oh, I'm almost there!" Wipe that grin off your face; this is going to take some time, so settle in and make sure you're wearing long sleeves.
Once the mixture reaches 223F, stir in the citric acid/water mixture or the lemon juice. Cook one more minute.
Pour the molten pate de fruits mixture into a half-sheet pan which you have lined with heavy duty plastic wrap or Silpat. Let set up at room temperature until cool and sliceable. This could take a few hours.
Once firm, slice them into small squares, or cut out fun shapes with tiny cookie cutters. Roll them in granulated sugar. For "Sourpatch" pate de fruits, mix a little citric acid in with the sugar (to taste) and roll them in that mixture.
Notes
General Notes
Generalizable to 25 formulas in the downloadable list.To be clear, each formula requires slightly different amounts of sugar, citric acid, and pectin, so please refer to the chart. All formulas are based on 1 kg or 1000 grams of Boiron puree.
Storing
Make sure to store your pate de fruits in airtight containers. For storage of more than a day or two, I recommend getting some disposable or rechargeable desiccant packs.DO NOT USE A SHARP KNIFE TO CUT THESE IF YOU POURED YOUR MIXTURE ONTO SILPAT. You will end up with 1" squares of Silpat which are good for absolutely nothing.
Clarification on Citric Acid
If the formula calls for 15 grams citric acid, you can use EITHER 7.5 grams citric acid dissolved in 7.5 grams water OR 15 grams of lemon juice.If the formula calls for 25 grams citric acid, you'll need 12.5 citric acid dissolved in 12.5 grams water OR 25 grams lemon juice.