1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups (10 ounces) spiced gum drops, cut into pieces

Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda, and add to the jar. Add the brown sugar, and press down gently to form a layer.

Combine the granulated sugar and the gum drops to coat the cut pieces of the candy with sugar, to prevent the candy from clumping together. Add them to the jar.

Seal the jar, and store in a cool, dry place, away from a heat source.

Attach the following instructions to a gift tag:

Gumdrop Cookies

1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Contents of jar

Remove gum drops from the jar, and set aside.

Empty remaining cookie mix into a large mixing bowl, and stir to combine. Add butter or margarine, egg and vanilla extract. Mix until completely blended. Add the gum drops, and mix gently. Shape into walnut-size balls, and place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12 to 14 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.

Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet, then remove cookies, and put on baking racks to finish cooling.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.