Description
These homemade gumdrops are chewy, sweet, and bursting with fruity flavors. Made with gelatin and natural applesauce, they offer a fun and nostalgic treat that you can customize with your favorite Jello flavors. Perfect for candy lovers looking to create their own colorful candies at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Gumdrops
- 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 it aside for later use.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups granulated sugar, unsweetened applesauce, Jello, and unflavored gelatin. Stir to mix well and let the mixture stand for 1 minute.
- Cook the Mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat while stirring constantly. Let it boil for 1 minute to activate the gelatin.
- Pour into Dish: Immediately pour the hot gelatin mixture into the greased baking dish to set.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Allow the mixture to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then refrigerate it for 3 hours or until firm.
- Prepare for Cutting: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and generously sprinkle the surface with sugar to prevent sticking.
- Remove from Dish: Use a metal spatula to carefully loosen the gumdrop mixture from the edges and bottom of the dish. Transfer it onto the prepared parchment paper. You may transfer the entire sheet or slice into 6-8 large pieces to handle easier.
- Cut into Shapes: Use mini cookie cutters to cut out gumdrop shapes and return them to the sugar-lined baking sheet.
- Set the Gumdrops: Let the cut gumdrops sit at room temperature for at least 8 hours or overnight to dry and firm up.
- Coat with Sugar: Put the remaining granulated sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each gumdrop to coat it thoroughly with sugar.
Notes
- Store gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For red and green gumdrops, prepare the recipe twice using lime Jello for green and cherry Jello for red.
- Heat cookie cutters in hot water before cutting to prevent sticking and ease clean cuts.
- If you don’t have cookie cutters, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice gumdrops into small, neat pieces.
- The gelatin mixture will be sticky; use a metal spatula to slide underneath and carefully lift the mixture from the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 25 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
