Name: Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 11 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
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

The sweet, chewy texture and vibrant colors of gumdrops have a way of bringing a nostalgic smile to anyone’s face. Today, I’m excited to share my go-to Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe that’s surprisingly simple, fun to make, and tastes infinitely better than store-bought treats.

A white square plate filled with several layers of red and green gummy candies shaped like stars, Christmas trees, candy canes, bells, and stockings. Each candy is covered with a fine layer of sugar crystals that sparkle in the light. The candies overlap in a random pile, showing the different bright and clear colors with a slightly translucent look. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a hint of a red cloth decorated with white snowflakes nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I fell in love with making homemade gumdrops because it’s a quick way to enjoy candy with real flavors and no weird additives. Plus, customizing the colors and shapes makes it a perfect project to enjoy solo or with kids.

All-natural ingredients: Using unsweetened applesauce and real jello gives it a natural fruit flavor you won’t get from commercial gumdrops.
Flexible and fun: The recipe is easy to tweak with your favorite jello flavors or cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
Chewy texture: It strikes the perfect balance between soft and firm, reminiscent of classic gumdrops.
Perfect for gifting: Homemade gumdrops wrapped up nicely make for charming edible gifts that everyone appreciates.

A close-up image of a woman's hand holding a small, bright green star-shaped candy covered with granulated sugar, showing its rough texture. The candy's surface is sparkling with sugar crystals, making it look sweet and crunchy. In the blurry background, there are hints of other colorful candies in red and green colors on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe plays a special role. The gelatin sets the chewy texture, the jello provides vibrant color and fruity flavor, and the applesauce keeps everything naturally sweet and moist without heaviness.

Flat lay of a small mound of granulated sugar, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with smooth unsweetened applesauce, two vibrant rectangular packets of lime and cherry flavored gelatin powder (represented visually as vivid lime green and bright cherry red powders in small white bowls), and a small white bowl containing translucent unflavored gelatin sheets or powder, all arranged symmetrically and naturally, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Granulated sugar: Adds the classic sweet coating and balances the flavors inside the gumdrops perfectly.
Unsweetened applesauce: Acts as a natural sweetener and keeps the texture tender yet chewy.
Jello (lime or cherry): Provides both color and concentrated fruit flavor—choose your favorite or mix for a rainbow effect.
Unflavored gelatin: Gives the gumdrops their signature chewy, bouncy texture without being rubbery.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe by mixing jello flavors or adding a splash of fresh juice instead of applesauce for a tart twist. You absolutely should play around and find your favorite combo!

Variation: I once swapped half the applesauce for fresh lemon juice and it gave a pleasantly tangy punch while keeping the texture spot on.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Combine Ingredients

First, I spray my baking dish (11×7 or 9×13 works great) with non-stick spray so nothing sticks later. Then, I mix 2 cups of sugar with the applesauce, jello powder, and unflavored gelatin in a saucepan. Let it sit for a minute so the gelatin can bloom—this step helps the gumdrops set perfectly.

Step 2: Bring to a Gentle Boil

Next, slowly bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to keep sugar from burning. Once it boils, let it bubble for exactly one minute and then pour immediately into your greased dish. Timing here is everything—don’t let it cool too much or it won’t set right.

Step 3: Chill and Set

Let it rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes before popping it in the fridge for at least 3 hours. I usually leave mine overnight just to be safe. It should be firm but springy to the touch before moving on.

Step 4: Shape and Sugar Coat

Here’s where the fun begins: line a large work surface with parchment paper and sprinkle it generously with sugar. I use a metal spatula to loosen the set gelatin — remember it’ll be sticky but just keep sliding underneath until it lifts cleanly.

You can either carefully transfer the whole sheet or cut it into 6-8 big pieces to handle more easily. Then, I use mini cookie cutters warmed in hot water to pop out perfect shapes. If you don’t have cutters, a sharp knife or pizza cutter works great for neat squares.

Finally, let your cut gumdrops sit at room temperature for at least 8 hours or overnight — this drying step helps them firm up and get that chewiness. Once ready, roll each piece in the remaining sugar for that classic gumdrop sparkle.

Top Tip

From my many attempts making these homemade treats, a couple of tricks helped me get perfect gumdrops every time — I’m sharing them here so you won’t have to guess.

Patience with cooling: Don’t rush to cut the gumdrops before they’re fully set and dried; otherwise, they’ll be too sticky and lose their shape.
Warm cookie cutters: Dipping cutters in hot water wipes off residue and helps slice clean shapes without sticking to the sticky surface.
Keep stabbing that spatula: The gelatin will resist at first but gently sliding a metal spatula and nudging patiently really does the trick without tearing.
Generous sugar coating: Don’t skimp on the sugar rolling — it not only adds sweetness but also keeps gumdrops from sticking together once stored.

How to Serve Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe

Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little extra superfine sugar for sparkle or mixing in edible glitter for festive occasions. Sometimes, a dusting of a cinnamon-sugar mix adds a surprising warmth and depth to the fruit flavors.

Side Dishes

These gumdrops pair wonderfully alongside tea or coffee for a sweet mini pick-me-up. I've also served them with a cheese board — their fruity chewiness balances well with sharp, creamy cheeses.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I arranged assorted colors of homemade gumdrops in small glass jars with twine for birthday party favors, which guests loved. For holidays, shaping them into tiny stars or hearts makes your candy table stand out and feel extra special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. They stay fresh and chewy for up to one week—perfect if you want to pace yourself.

Freezing

Freezing gumdrops isn’t my first choice since it can alter the texture a bit, but if you need to, wrap them individually in wax paper and freeze in a sealed container. Let thaw at room temp before serving to restore chewiness.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t necessary with gumdrops, but if they get a bit firm, simply let them soften at room temperature for 20-30 minutes—no microwave needed to preserve that perfect chew.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh fruit juice instead of applesauce?

Absolutely! Swapping applesauce for fresh juice like lemon or orange can add a bright, tangy flavor. Just be sure to reduce the liquid amount accordingly and keep an eye on the setting time since juice is thinner than applesauce.

What’s the best way to cut the gumdrops without tearing?

Warming your cookie cutters in hot water before cutting helps them slice cleanly through the sticky gumdrop mixture. If you don’t have cutters, use a sharp knife or pizza cutter once the set layer is firm but not frozen to make neat pieces.

How long do homemade gumdrops keep fresh?

When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, homemade gumdrops stay fresh and chewy for about 1 week—just keep them separated with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Can I make gumdrops without gelatin?

Gelatin is key to achieving the signature chewy texture in gumdrops. While you can experiment with plant-based alternatives like agar powder, the texture and setting ability can vary significantly, so results may differ from traditional gumdrops.

Final Thoughts

Making this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe reminds me of childhood afternoons crafting candies and sharing smiles. The joy of each chewy, fruity bite — made from scratch and personalized — is unmatched. Trust me, once you try making your own, you’ll wonder why you ever bought those boxed versions. Give it a go, and I can’t wait to hear about your favorite flavors and shapes!