For a long time I thought we were going to cook... And suddenly remembered the candy that once a long time ago ate at a party at a friend – despite the full stomachs of the guests at the time of filing of dessert, these cute candy-cherries are not only surprised by his appearance, and instantly disappeared with the dishes. Since I found the original recipe was flawed, it had to be corrected by trial and error. By the way, I will ask where were the pitfalls. So... let's Start with the preparatory works – prepare a paint. Since we are advocates of natural dyes, then used the juices of cranberries and beets (if you have cherry, dogwood, etc., that might be the paint for the cherries-cherries – go for it! Also a good carrot juice, but we didn't do it to save time). First you need to break the snowball with twigs. This jewelry work doing daddy (my husband Igor) and our youngest son Vovik (1 year, 3 weeks).

Then berries wash well and RUB through a sieve a colander. And now our eldest is Alexis (2 years 9 months). arrived to help. Tried my best to help dad.

Next, prepare the beet juice – just push it through the juicer. And again Vovik comes to the aid of the Pope! So eager to help, it still climbed up, and dad had to cope with one hand. In both juice add citric acid - slightly, at the tip of a knife.

Now you need to prepare the cuttings for future berries. During the Christmas holidays is not difficult to get pine sprig (preferably two, in case helpers will be more), thoroughly washed, dried with a cloth (not dry on the battery – yellow needles), and am wanting to break needles. Alyosha gladly took up the matter, and terminated properly, from the bottom to the nines were paired. Vovik too eager to fight, there is a handy spare twig, but realizing that the needles are pricked, son issued indignantly-indignant squeak, and went on to my favorite thing – to make a mess in the Cabinet with the utensils and bury Aleshkina cars in my mom's pots...

... and was immediately caught.

Now proceeds to business mother Inna, ie me. Make "dough". First dissolve gelatin in water. While it cools, prepare the "meal". Be sure to sift the powdered sugar to avoid lumps, add a teaspoon of citric acid. Now attention! Pour the gelatin into powder in small batches, carefully stirring a lot! It took me about a half portion stated in the recipe gelatin liquids. "Dough" should be thick, viscous, almost feels sticky. Let it stand for 10 minutes, it will thicken slightly, trying to roll a ball – if the form saves, so ready. If soft and gutter bulb – add a little powder (in this case it is good to have on hand a spare bag of powder).

Now we have to act quickly – "dough" dries, it should be stirred up periodically, then it again becomes homogeneous. From the resulting mass roll the balls the size of large cherries, and stick needles in them (it is desirable that the needle punctured the ball through). Balls to the riding easier, I occasionally "powder" ground palm sugar.

Spread white cherries on a plate and give a little to dry. Check your readiness: take the tails and a little shake – if the balls don't come off, then you can paint.

Need to paint too quickly. To make pour the paint into a wide jug. Now take the stems of cherries, dip in the juice for 2-3 seconds, gently shake off the drops

And using spoons-forks dip them in the sugar (which I, previously, was ground in a blender, but you can roll in regular sugar – it's not for everybody).

Since a precise description of the process was not, then we tried to paint in another way: can the balls one at a time to dip in the juice and roll in sugar, and then couples to pierce with needles. Then I helped my husband because cherries quickly dried up and we had to work fast. The first method is more convenient. Ready the cherries are spread on a plate or Board in a single layer and put in the cold to dry out (winter, a branch of the fridge on the balcony, there is dried berries).

In principle, they can be eaten immediately, but best if all-taki to wait. Then carefully (some may stick to the pan, but very easy to fall behind) put in the container, and at first the children, then the guests, etc these are fun candy we got!

By the way, do you have relatives or friends who find it difficult to make gifts for the simple reason that they have EVERYTHING? We have. Believe me, these gifts, even wrapped up just like that cause squeaks-squeals of joy and surprise not only spoiled kids, but their parents. And what could be better and more valuable than a gift made with your own hands and soul?