If you’re like me and adore those chewy, fruity candies that bring back childhood memories, you’re going to flip over this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe. It’s surprisingly straightforward and requires ingredients you might already have on hand. Plus, making these yourself means you can play with flavors, colors, and even shapes to your heart’s content. Trust me, once you try this, store-bought gumdrops will feel like a distant memory!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of easy-to-find items, and no weird chemicals.
- Customizable Flavors: Change up the Jello flavors to make endless combinations.
- Fun to Make: It’s a sweet project that’s perfect for getting the kids involved.
- All Natural & Less Sugar: Using applesauce gives these a naturally tender texture without being overly sweet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient here plays a crucial role in getting that perfect chewy texture and bright, glossy colors. I always recommend choosing a high-quality gelatin and natural-flavored Jello to keep things tasting fresh and vibrant.
- Granulated Sugar: This is split between cooking and coating, so have extra on hand for rolling your gumdrops.
- Applesauce (no sugar added): Adds natural sweetness and moisture, making the gumdrops tender without using corn syrup.
- Jello (flavored gelatin): This gives your gumdrops their bright color and fruity flavor—pick whatever you love!
- Unflavored Gelatin (2 envelopes): Essential for that stretchy, chewy consistency.
- Lemon Juice: Just a splash to brighten the flavors and add a slight tang.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you’re craving a tart or tropical twist, or want to spice things up, there’s endless room to experiment.
- Use Different Gelatin Flavors: From cherry to lime or orange, mix & match Jello packets for fun new combinations — my kids love berry and kiwi mixed!
- Try Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of orange or lemon zest adds a lovely fresh aroma that really elevates the experience.
- Sugar Coating Variations: Instead of plain sugar, toss gumdrops in a blend of granulated sugar and citric acid for a sour punch.
- Make Vegan: I once swapped regular gelatin for agar-agar, but keep in mind this changes texture somewhat—still tasty but less chewy.
How to Make Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan with Care
Start by lightly spraying a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This helps your gumdrops release easily once set. I like to give it a thorough coat to avoid sticky moments later—your patience here pays off when unmolding.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients and Let Sit
In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of sugar, the applesauce, your chosen Jello flavor, unflavored gelatin, and lemon juice. Let the mixture rest for about a minute—this allows the gelatin to bloom, which is key for that perfect texture.
Step 3: Boil and Stir Constantly
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a boil while stirring non-stop. This helps dissolve the sugar evenly and prevents any gelatin clumps. Once boiling, let it go for exactly one minute. This step is crucial; boiling too long or not enough can affect how your gumdrops set.
Step 4: Pour Into Pan and Chill
Quickly pour the hot mixture into your prepared pan. Spread it evenly if needed. Place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least three hours—or overnight like I usually do for convenience and the best firmness.
Step 5: Cut and Sugar Coat
Once firm, loosen the edges with a spatula and invert onto parchment paper sprinkled generously with sugar. Then come the fun part—cut out your gumdrops with small cookie cutters. If the cutters get sticky, dip them briefly in hot water to slice smoothly. Leave the cut gumdrops on the sugar-coated parchment for about 8 hours, so they develop that lovely slight stickiness.
Step 6: Final Sugar Roll
Roll each gumdrop in the remaining granulated sugar to finish. This not only adds sweetness but keeps them from sticking together. Store your masterpiece in an airtight container—and prepare for compliments!
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
- Bloom Your Gelatin: Always let your unflavored gelatin sit in the wet ingredients before heating—this ensures smooth, lump-free gumdrops.
- Watch Your Boil Time: I learned that over-boiling degrades gelatin, so exactly one minute of boiling is my magic number.
- Cookie Cutter Hacks: Warm your cutters in hot water and wipe them dry for clean, sharp gumdrop edges every time.
- Patience with Setting: Don’t rush chilling—the longer you wait, the better they’ll hold their shape when you cut and coat.
How to Serve Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with the classic sugar coating, but sometimes I like to toss gumdrops in a little flavored sanding sugar for a sparkling touch. For holidays, a dusting of edible glitter or a quick dip in melted chocolate adds festive flair.
Side Dishes
These gumdrops shine on their own, but paired with a hot cup of tea or a glass of lemonade? Pure perfection. I also like to serve them on a candy or dessert platter alongside homemade cookies and fudge when friends come over.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve arranged my gumdrops in colorful patterns or shaped them into candy bouquets using skewers. They’re also fantastic nestled in small clear bags tied with ribbon as little gifts. Kids especially love picking their own shapes and flavors!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them chewy but avoid humidity that makes them sticky. They stay good for about two weeks when properly stored—perfect for nibbling over time.
Freezing
Freezing gumdrops isn’t my usual go-to, but if you need to save them longer, place them in a sealed, freezer-safe bag with parchment layers to prevent sticking. When thawed, they might be a bit softer but still delicious.
Reheating
Gumdrops don’t really need reheating, but if they’ve hardened a bit, leaving them at room temperature for a few hours softens them back up nicely. Avoid microwaving, as it can melt their shape.
FAQs
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Can I make gumdrops without Jello?
Jello is key for flavor and color in this recipe, but if you want to skip it, you could use fruit juice concentrates and additional gelatin. Just keep in mind the final taste and texture will change significantly.
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Why do my gumdrops turn out sticky?
If gumdrops feel sticky, it’s usually because they haven’t been coated enough with sugar or haven’t dried long enough after cutting. Patience here helps them set just right.
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Can I use flavored gelatin instead of unflavored?
The recipe calls for unflavored gelatin for texture without extra flavor. Using only flavored gelatin might overwhelm the taste or affect sweetness, so best to follow the recipe balance.
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How long do homemade gumdrops last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these gumdrops last about two weeks. Beyond that, they might harden or dry out.
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Can I make these vegan?
You can try substituting gelatin with agar-agar, but the texture will be different—less chewy and more jelly-like. It’s a fun experiment if you’re open to changing the classic gumdrop feel.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe brings a little nostalgic joy into my kitchen, and I know you’ll enjoy that too. It’s rewarding, fun to make, and tastes way better than anything you can buy in a store. Next time you want a sweet treat that’s both playful and delicious, whip these up and share with friends — they’ll be asking for your secret!
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Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 60 gumdrops
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
These homemade gumdrops are a delightful, fruity candy made from simple ingredients like applesauce, gelatin, and Jell-O. Perfectly coated in sugar, they offer a chewy texture and vibrant flavors, making them an ideal sweet treat for candy lovers and homemade confectionery enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Gumdrops
- 2½ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1½ cups applesauce (no sugar added)
- 6 oz Jell-O (cherry, lime, or preferred flavor)
- ½ oz unflavored gelatin (2 envelopes)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set aside for later use.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups of granulated sugar, the applesauce, Jell-O, unflavored gelatin, and lemon juice. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly. Let the mixture stand for one minute to allow the gelatin to soften.
- Cook the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning and ensure even heating. Once boiling, continue to boil for exactly one minute while stirring continuously.
- Pour and Chill: Immediately pour the hot gelatin mixture into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. Place the dish in the refrigerator and chill until the mixture is firm, which typically takes about three hours but can also be left overnight for best results.
- Prepare for Cutting: Cover a large cutting board with parchment paper and generously sprinkle with sugar to prevent sticking. Loosen the edges of the gelatin from the baking dish using a spatula and carefully invert it onto the sugar-coated parchment paper.
- Cut the Gumdrops: Use small, sharp cookie cutters to cut out your gumdrops from the gelatin sheet. To make cutting easier, dip the cookie cutters into hot water before each use and rinse them regularly to keep clean and prevent sticking.
- Dry the Gumdrops: Place the cut gumdrops on top of the sugar-coated parchment paper and leave them to dry for about 8 hours or until they feel just slightly sticky to the touch.
- Coat and Store: Roll each gumdrop in the remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar to coat them evenly. Store the sugar-coated gumdrops in an airtight container to maintain freshness and chewiness.
Notes
- Using no-sugar-added applesauce helps control sweetness while adding natural fruit flavor.
- Dipping cookie cutters in hot water ensures clean, smooth cuts and prevents sticking.
- Letting the gumdrops dry for 8 hours is crucial for proper texture and handling.
- You can experiment with different Jell-O flavors to create colorful and varied gumdrops.
- Store gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gumdrop (approximate)
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 6.0 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
