If you’ve ever wished you could make candies that are as fun and colorful as the ones in the store but way fresher and customizable, you’ve got to try this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe. I absolutely love how these come out—soft, chewy, and just the right amount of sweet and tangy. Plus, making them yourself means you can pick your favorite jelly flavors or even get creative with combinations. Stick with me, and I’ll share all the tips I’ve learned to make sure your gumdrops turn out perfect every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Totally Customizable: You can swap jello flavors or even mix them for unique combinations.
- Simple Ingredients: Easy to find and straightforward, perfect even if you’re new to candy making.
- No Fancy Tools Required: You’ll just need a baking dish and cookie cutters for shaping.
- Kid- and Family-Friendly: My family goes crazy for these, and they’re great for gifting or parties.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe is how nicely the ingredients complement each other to give you that perfect chewy texture with a subtle fruitiness. Here’s a little scoop on the key players so you can shop smart.
- Granulated Sugar: Beyond sweetness, it helps set the gumdrops and also coats them for that classic candy finish.
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Acts as a natural base with pectin, adding moisture without overwhelming flavors.
- Jello (Gelatin Dessert Mix): Provides vibrant color and flavor—lime, cherry, or whatever you like.
- Unflavored Gelatin: The secret to that chewy, bouncy texture in all good gumdrops.
Variations
I love playing around with this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe! It’s a total playground for your taste buds or dietary needs. You can easily switch things up to suit your mood or occasion.
- Flavor Swaps: I once made a batch with cherry and orange jello halves swirled together—it looked as fun as it tasted!
- Natural Sweeteners: For a cleaner option, you can try substituting some sugar with honey or agave, though texture might be a bit softer.
- Gluten-Free & Vegan Adaptations: While gelatin isn’t vegan, you can experiment with agar-agar, but expect a slightly different texture.
- Mini Gumdrops: Use teeny cookie cutters or just chop into small squares to serve as colorful cocktail or party treats.
How to Make Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
Start by spraying an 11×7 or 9×13 baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray—trust me, this step saves a lot of frustration when you get to unmolding your gumdrops. Measure out your sugar, applesauce, jello, and unflavored gelatin so everything’s ready to go. I learned it’s best to have everything at arm’s reach before heating because things move fast!
Step 2: Combine Ingredients in a Saucepan
In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of the granulated sugar, your unsweetened applesauce, jello packet, and both envelopes of unflavored gelatin. Let this mixture sit for about a minute so the gelatin can “bloom” (absorb moisture and swell) — this is a step I used to overlook but makes a difference.
Step 3: Boil and Stir Constantly
Put your saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir constantly to prevent scorching and ensure everything dissolves evenly. Once it boils, let it cook for exactly one minute—no more, no less! This timing helps set your gumdrops with the perfect chew. Then, immediately pour the hot mixture into your prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Cool and Chill Thoroughly
Let your pan cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes, then pop it in the fridge for at least 3 hours until firm. I’ve found patience here really pays off—the firm set makes cutting and shaping a breeze.
Step 5: Cut and Coat Your Gumdrops
Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and sprinkle generously with sugar. Using a metal spatula, carefully loosen the gumdrop sheet from the edges and bottom of your dish. You can transfer the entire sheet to the board or cut it into chunks to handle more easily.
Cut out shapes with mini cookie cutters or slice into squares. Let the gumdrops air dry at room temperature overnight (or at least 8 hours)—this step is key for them to develop that classic “gumdrop” exterior. Finally, toss them in the remaining granulated sugar to coat completely.
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
- Bloom That Gelatin: Always let your gelatin sit with the liquid before heating for best texture.
- Constant Stirring: Prevents burning and ensures an even mixture, which means no gritty gumdrops!
- Overnight Drying: Don’t rush the drying step; it creates that classic chewy coating we all love.
- Use Non-Stick Spray Generously: Helps you easily release the gumdrops without any tears or sticking.
How to Serve Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish my gumdrops with a splash of extra sugar because it adds a sparkling touch and beautiful texture. For a little extra fun, try tossing some in fine sanding sugar or even a light dusting of powdered sugar for a different look. Sometimes, I mix in edible glitter for holiday batches—it’s a showstopper!
Side Dishes
While gumdrops are a candy on their own, they pair beautifully with a cup of warm tea or coffee. At parties, I’ve served them alongside other homemade sweets like chocolate-covered pretzels or simple butter cookies to create a colorful candy board that everyone loves hopping into.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday gifts, I arrange gumdrops in pretty glass jars layered by color and tied with a ribbon—instant crowd-pleaser. Another favorite is making themed shapes depending on the season, like hearts for Valentine’s or stars for the 4th of July. You’ll find guests love picking their favorites off displays like this!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature with a little parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking. When I’ve done this, my gumdrops stayed fresh and chewy for up to two weeks—plenty of time to enjoy!
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze gumdrops because their texture can change a bit, but if you do want to freeze them, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw them in the fridge overnight, and they’ll soften up nicely.
Reheating
No need to reheat gumdrops since they’re best eaten at room temperature. If they feel a little too firm, just leave them out for a bit to soften naturally. I’ve found reheating can make them too sticky and lose their shape, so I avoid that.
FAQs
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Can I use other fruit purees instead of applesauce?
Absolutely! You can experiment with pear or even mashed berries, but keep in mind that the moisture content might shift the texture a bit, so you may need to adjust the gelatin slightly for firmness.
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Why do my gumdrops stick together?
This usually happens if they haven’t dried long enough or weren’t coated thoroughly with sugar. Make sure to let them sit overnight and generously roll them in sugar to keep them separated.
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Can I make sugar-free gumdrops?
Yes, but it’s a bit tricky. You’d need a sugar substitute that can withstand boiling and still help set the candy properly. Erythritol or stevia blends might work in small amounts, but results will vary.
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What’s the best way to cut gumdrops?
I recommend mini cookie cutters for neat, fun shapes or a sharp knife for squares. A metal spatula helps you loosen the candy from the pan gently so you can transfer it easily when cutting.
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How long do homemade gumdrops last?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they can stay fresh for up to two weeks. Beyond that, the texture may start to change.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe has become a favorite in my kitchen because it’s simple, fun, and yields candy that feels special and homemade in the best way. If you’re looking for a sweet project to impress yourself (and your loved ones), you really can’t go wrong here. Give it a try—I promise you’ll love popping these fruity bites and sharing your new candy-making skills with friends.
Print
Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: About 60 gumdrops 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Homemade Gumdrops recipe yields soft, colorful, and fruity gelatin candies coated in granulated sugar. Made with simple ingredients like unsweetened applesauce, gelatin, and flavored Jello, these gumdrops are a delightful treat perfect for holidays, decorating, or snacking. The process involves boiling the mixture, setting it in a dish, and cutting into fun shapes before coating in sugar for a sweet, chewy finish.
Ingredients
Gumdrop Mixture
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 ⅓ cups unsweetened applesauce
- 6 ounces flavored 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 aside to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of granulated sugar, unsweetened applesauce, flavored Jello, and unflavored gelatin. Let the mixture stand for 1 minute to hydrate the gelatin.
- Cook Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Allow it to boil for 1 full minute.
- Pour and Set: Immediately pour the hot gelatin mixture into the prepared baking dish. Let it cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm.
- Prepare for Shaping: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and generously sprinkle it with the remaining granulated sugar.
- Transfer Gelatin: Use a metal spatula to carefully loosen the gumdrop mixture from the edges and bottom of the baking dish. Transfer the entire gelatin sheet or cut into 6-8 large pieces and transfer onto the sugar-dusted parchment paper.
- Cut Shapes: Use mini cookie cutters to cut the gelatin into desired shapes and place the shaped gumdrops back onto the lined baking sheet.
- Dry Gumdrops: Allow the shaped gumdrops to sit at room temperature overnight or for at least 8 hours to firm up and dry slightly.
- Coat with Sugar: Place the remaining granulated sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each gumdrop in the sugar until fully coated for a sweet, sparkly finish.
Notes
- Use mini cookie cutters for fun, uniform gumdrop shapes.
- Ensure constant stirring during boiling to prevent burning the gelatin mixture.
- Allow the gumdrops to dry at room temperature overnight for best texture before coating with sugar.
- Store gumdrops in an airtight container to keep them fresh and chewy.
- You can experiment with different Jello flavors for various taste and color options.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gumdrop (approx. 6 grams)
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 6 grams
- 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
