Clove Cough drops (not yet fine tuned)

Prep cookie sheet that has a lip by lining with parchment paper.

Put about 1/4"-1/2" layer of

• Powdered sugar or cornstarch (Can reuse multiple times to make drops)

Pat smooth, then make indentations about 1/2" x 3/4". I used then handle of a kitchen tool. Small cough drops are nicer than big ones. Then set aside.

In very large, flat-bottomed mixing bowl place and stir to blend

• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. water
• 1 t. honey
• 1 t. lemon zest
• 1/4 t. ground cloves

Start microwaving in short hits. Microwave to hard crack stage. Usually happens very quickly after small ball forms when a drop is dropped in ice water. Try to catch it before mixture starts to darken. Watch for foaming. Can foam 10-20 times it original height. Honey seems to foam higher than sugar/water combo. Mix and scrape down sides with silicone high temperature scraper or metal spoon. My microwave times for this batch.

• 1'
• 2' (stirred to dissolve sugar)
• 2' (thicker, bubbles)
• 1' (double size foam)
• 1' (soft ball, thicker. - takes forever for heat to leave drop, may drop on ice next time?)
• 30" (started to crystallize, so I cooked it a little too far.)

Tilt bowl on side so you have a nice puddle of liquid. Scrape down sides into puddle or stuff will harden on sides of bowl. Careful. It's hot! Use a smaller teaspoon/dessert spoon to spoon mixture into powdered sugar indentations on cookie sheet. Let cool. I stick it in the freezer.

This variation melted in the mouth like sugar cubes. 

Soaking in hot water cleans equipment relatively easily

Objective:

I wanted a simple recipe with few ingredients so started out with just using honey, lemon juice, and cloves. Cough drops were very sticky and stuck to my teeth. I also wanted to cook it in the microwave and I don't have a candy thermometer. It appears that more honey results in a very sticky cough drop. 

My next variation I plan to not use lemon zest because I don't like the little bits. Instead I will substitute lemon juice for the water. Eventually I want to find the optimum combination of honey/sugar. Sugar melts in your mouth like a sugar cube and is not sticky. I'd also like to try a bit of oil to see if it adds smoothness to the cough drop.

ref:

• https://www.tastyeverafter.com/honey-lemon-ginger-cough-drops/
• https://www.mrrl.org/blog-entry/diy-cough-drops