Homemade Gumdrops Recipe

Introduction

Homemade gumdrops are a fun and nostalgic treat that you can easily make in your own kitchen. Using simple ingredients like applesauce and gelatin, these colorful candies offer a delightful chewy texture and bright flavors. Perfect for candy lovers and holiday gifting alike!

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

1. Step 1: Spray an 11×7 or 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of the sugar, unsweetened applesauce, jello, and unflavored gelatin. Let the mixture stand for 1 minute.
3. Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Allow it to boil for 1 minute, then pour immediately into the greased baking dish.
4. Step 4: Let the mixture cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm.
5. Step 5: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and sprinkle generously with sugar.
6. Step 6: Use a metal spatula to loosen the gumdrop mixture from the sides and bottom of the dish. Transfer it to the sugar-lined cutting board. You can move the entire sheet at once or cut into 6 to 8 large pieces and transfer them individually.
7. Step 7: Cut out shapes using mini cookie cutters and place them back onto the lined baking sheet.
8. Step 8: Let the gumdrops sit at room temperature overnight, or for at least 8 hours to dry.
9. Step 9: Pour the remaining granulated sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll each gumdrop in the sugar until fully coated.

Tips & Variations

• Try using different jello flavors to create colorful, varied gumdrops that suit your taste or occasion.
• If you prefer a firmer texture, add an extra half envelope of gelatin to the mixture.
• For a fun twist, lightly dust finished gumdrops with powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar.

Storage

Store gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep well for up to two weeks. Avoid refrigerating, as this can cause them to become too firm. If they lose some softness, let them sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use flavored gelatin other than jello?

Yes, flavored gelatin works well and adds a delicious taste to your gumdrops. Choose any flavor you like for variety.

Do I need special equipment to cut the gumdrops?

No special equipment is required. Mini cookie cutters make nicely shaped gumdrops, but you can also cut them into simple squares or rectangles with a knife.

Homemade Gumdrops Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 96 reviews

• Author: Mariam
• Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes (including chilling and drying time)
• Yield: Approximately 50–60 gumdrops depending on cutter size 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Homemade Gumdrops are a fun and fruity treat made with gelatin, jello, and applesauce. Coated in sugar, they offer a chewy texture and a burst of flavor from your choice of jello flavor. Perfect for candy lovers and a customizable snack for any occasion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Gumdrop Base

• 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)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Baking Dish: Spray an 11×7 or 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside to ensure gumdrops do not stick.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups of granulated sugar, the applesauce, jello, and unflavored gelatin. Stir well and let the mixture stand for 1 minute to hydrate the gelatin.
3. Cook Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. Let it boil for 1 minute to fully dissolve the gelatin and sugar.
4. Set the Mixture: Immediately pour the hot gelatin mixture into the greased baking dish. Allow it to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm.
5. Prepare for Cutting: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and generously sprinkle sugar over it to prevent sticking.
6. Transfer Gumdrop Sheet: Use a metal spatula to carefully loosen the gumdrop jelly from the baking dish’s sides and bottom. Transfer the whole sheet or slice it into 6-8 large pieces and place onto the sugared parchment-lined board.
7. Cut Shapes: Using mini cookie cutters, cut the gelatin sheet into shapes. Place the gumdrop shapes back onto the lined baking sheet.
8. Dry Gumdrops: Let the cut gumdrops sit at room temperature overnight or for at least 8 hours to dry out a bit and firm up further.
9. Coat with Sugar: Pour the remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar into a shallow bowl and roll each gumdrop in it until fully coated for a sweet, sparkly finish.

Notes

• You can customize the flavor by using different flavors of jello such as cherry, lime, or orange.
• Ensure thorough boiling to fully dissolve the gelatin; this affects the texture of the gumdrops.
• Letting the gumdrops dry overnight is essential to achieve the perfect chewiness and sugar coating adherence.
• Store gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Candy
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade gumdrops, gummy candy recipe, gelatin candy, fruit flavored gumdrops, easy candy recipe