Description
This homemade gumdrops recipe creates soft, chewy, and flavorful treats perfect for candies or decorations. Using simple ingredients like applesauce, gelatin, and flavored Jello, these colorful gumdrops are easy to make at home and can be customized with different flavors and colors.
Ingredients
Scale
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 the 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 the granulated sugar, unsweetened applesauce, Jello, and unflavored gelatin. Let the mixture stand for 1 minute to allow the gelatin to soften.
- Cook the Mixture: Bring the saucepan to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to dissolve all ingredients. Once boiling, allow it to boil for 1 minute, then immediately pour the hot gelatin mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Let the gelatin mixture cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then refrigerate it for 3 hours or until firm and set.
- Prepare for Cutting: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and sprinkle generously with sugar. Use a metal spatula to carefully loosen the gumdrop mixture from the sides and bottom of the dish. Transfer the entire sheet or cut it into 6-8 large pieces to the lined cutting board.
- Cut Shapes: Use mini cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the firm gelatin sheet, then place cut gumdrops back onto the sugar-lined baking sheet.
- Set Overnight: Allow the gumdrops to sit at room temperature overnight or for at least 8 hours to achieve the perfect chewy texture.
- Coat the Gumdrops: Pour the remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll each gumdrop in the sugar until fully coated for a sweet finish.
Notes
- Store gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For red and green gumdrops, prepare the recipe twice—once with lime Jello and once with cherry Jello.
- Heat cookie cutters in hot water before cutting to make slicing through the chewy gumdrops easier and prevent sticking.
- If you don’t have cookie cutters, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to neatly slice gumdrops into small pieces.
- The gelatin mixture will be very sticky; use a metal spatula to carefully slide under it and gently lift it out of the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gumdrop
- 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
