There’s something truly delightful about making candy from scratch, especially when it’s as fun and nostalgic as this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe. These little chewy gems bring back sweet memories, and the best part? You control the flavors, colors, and texture right from your kitchen.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve tried plenty of homemade candy recipes, but this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe stands out because it’s surprisingly simple and endlessly customizable. Making your own gumdrops feels like a delicious little adventure and they’re perfect for gifts, parties, or just brightening up an ordinary day.
- Fresh and Natural: You use real fruit applesauce and gelatin, so the flavors shine without artificial weirdness.
- Customizable Flavors and Colors: Swap out jello flavors to match your mood or occasion with ease.
- Chewy Texture with a Perfect Sugar Coating: That classic gumdrop chew will have you hooked after the first bite.
- Great for Gifting or Decorating: These candies look gorgeous when cut into fun shapes and rolled in sugar.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe lies in its simple but effective ingredient list. Each one plays a specific role so your gumdrops come out chewy, flavorful, and beautifully set.
- Granulated Sugar: It sweetens and helps create that signature sugary coating on the outside.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds natural pectin and moisture, plus a subtle fruit base without overpowering.
- Flavored Jello (like lime or cherry): This is your main flavor and color boost, giving the gumdrops their signature zing.
- Unflavored Gelatin: The texture hero — it sets the mixture into that soft, chewy candy you love.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love most about this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often try swapping jello flavors for holidays—lime for St. Patrick’s Day or cherry around Christmas—and sometimes I toss in fresh citrus zest for an extra punch.
- Seasonal Flavors: Once, I experimented with raspberry jello and a splash of fresh lemon juice, and the tangy balance was incredible.
- Dietary Twist: I’ve tried using natural fruit juice concentrates instead of jello—though texture shifts slightly, it adds a pure fruit flavor.
- Shape Fun: When I don’t have cookie cutters handy, a sharp knife or pizza cutter works great for neat squares or rectangles.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
Start by spraying an 11×7 or 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray—trust me, this makes it so much easier to get the gumdrops out without losing bits stuck to the pan. Have your sugar, applesauce, gelatin, and jello ready to go before the cooking begins to keep everything smooth and stress-free.
Step 2: Combine and Heat Everything Gently
In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of sugar with the applesauce, jello, and unflavored gelatin. Let the mixture sit for a minute so the gelatin starts blooming—this is key for getting that perfect chewy texture. Then bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly so nothing sticks or burns. Let it boil for just one minute, then pour it quickly into your prepared pan.
Step 3: Cool, Set, and Shape Your Gumdrops
Let the mixture cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes before popping it in the fridge for at least 3 hours to firm up completely. When it’s set, loosen the edges with a metal spatula (it might be sticky, but keep at it—it’ll come free). Transfer the whole block or cut it into chunks onto sugar-coated parchment paper, and use mini cookie cutters or a sharp blade to create your shapes.
Step 4: Let Them Dry and Sugar-Coat
Here’s a little patience test—let your shaped gumdrops sit overnight at room temperature. This step is what firms up their outer layer just enough so when you roll them around in the remaining sugar, they don’t get too sticky. Once dry, roll each gumdrop in sugar for that classic sparkling finish.
Top Tip
Making homemade gumdrops can seem a bit tricky at first, but here are a few things I learned after several batches that really helped me nail this recipe every time.
- Gelatin Blooming: Always let the gelatin sit with the liquids for a minute before heating—this prevents lumps and ensures smooth gel formation.
- Using Hot Water on Cutters: I heat cookie cutters in hot water before cutting; it stops the sticky gumdrops from sticking and helps you get clean shapes.
- Don’t Rush the Setting: Those couple of hours in the fridge are crucial for clean slicing and perfect chewiness.
- Patience with Removal: If the gumdrop slab resists coming out, gently slide a metal spatula around and lift—taking your time keeps them intact.
How to Serve Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
Garnishes
I usually dust these gumdrops with extra granulated sugar, but sometimes I like mixing in a bit of citrus zest or even a pinch of fine sea salt for a subtle flavor twist. It really brightens up each bite and gives a little more sparkle.
Side Dishes
These sweet little treats pair perfectly with a cup of herbal tea or a light sparkling wine if you’re entertaining. They’re also excellent alongside other homemade sweets like shortbread cookies or vanilla pudding for a fun dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For festive occasions, I’ve arranged different colored gumdrops in glass jars layered like candy rainbows. During holidays, shaped ones make charming cake toppers or tucked inside homemade gift boxes for friends—nothing beats that personal touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them chewy and fresh for up to a week. You’ll want to avoid humidity or moisture, which can make them sticky and less pleasant to eat.
Freezing
I’ve tried freezing these gumdrops, and while it's doable, the texture softens a bit upon thawing. If you freeze them, be sure to separate pieces well using parchment paper, and let them thaw fully at room temp before serving.
Reheating
Usually, I don’t reheat gumdrops, but if your pieces feel too firm, letting them sit out at room temperature for a while softens them nicely—no microwave needed, which can mess up the texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Unsweetened applesauce adds natural pectin and moisture, but you can substitute with other fruit purees like pear or peach as long as they are unsweetened to avoid altering the sugar balance.
Rolling the gumdrops in granulated sugar after they’ve set and dried overnight creates a protective coating that prevents sticking. Storing them in a single layer with parchment paper between also helps keep them separate.
Traditional gelatin isn’t vegan, but you can try substituting with agar-agar powder. Keep in mind the texture will vary and may require some experimentation with the setting times and amounts.
Heating cookie cutters in hot water warms the metal slightly, which helps the cutters glide through the sticky gumdrop mixture and results in cleaner, smoother edges without tearing.
Final Thoughts
Making this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe always feels like a little celebration in my kitchen. There’s something so satisfying about turning a few simple ingredients into chewy, colorful candies that everyone smiles at. I truly hope you find the same joy in making (and eating) these as I do. Once you master the basics, you can experiment endlessly—maybe I’ll see your seasonal flavors or creative shapes one day!
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Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 11 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 60 pieces
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These homemade gumdrops are a delightful, chewy candy made with gelatin and fruit-flavored Jello. Perfectly sweet and coated in sugar, they are a fun treat to make and customize with different flavors and shapes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 ⅓ cups unsweetened applesauce
- 6 ounces Jello, such as lime or cherry
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin, such as Knox
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray an 11×7 or 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside for later.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of granulated sugar, unsweetened applesauce, Jello, and unflavored gelatin. Let the mixture stand for 1 minute to allow the gelatin to absorb the liquid.
- Cook Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat while stirring constantly. Once it reaches a boiling point, let it boil for exactly 1 minute, then immediately pour it into the greased baking dish.
- Cool and Set: Allow the gelatin mixture to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm.
- Transfer and Cut: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and generously sprinkle it with sugar. Use a metal spatula to loosen the gumdrop mixture from the baking dish and transfer it onto the lined board, either as a whole sheet or in 6-8 large pieces. Cut out shapes with mini cookie cutters and place them back onto the sugar-lined baking sheet.
- Dry Gumdrops: Let the cut gumdrops sit at room temperature overnight or for at least 8 hours to dry and set further.
- Coat with Sugar: Place the remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each gumdrop in the sugar until fully coated.
Notes
- Store gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For red and green gumdrops, prepare the recipe twice using one box of lime Jello and one box of cherry Jello separately.
- Heat cookie cutters in hot water before using to prevent sticking to the chewy gumdrops.
- If you don't have cookie cutters, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice the gumdrops into small pieces neatly.
- The gelatin mixture is very sticky but using a metal spatula to slide under will help you transfer it easily.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 30 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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