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

Nothing beats the nostalgic joy of soft, chewy gumdrops melting sweetly in your mouth. This Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe offers a fun way to recreate those classic candy flavors right in your kitchen — plus, you get to customize colors and shapes! Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never want to buy store-bought gumdrops again.

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 love making homemade treats that spark childhood memories, and these gelatin gumdrops do exactly that. Plus, they’re surprisingly simple yet incredibly satisfying. From picking your favorite jello flavors to shaping them with tiny cookie cutters, it's a hands-on candy adventure you'll cherish.

Pure Ingredients: You control exactly what goes in — no artificial weirdness, just real flavors and familiar kitchen staples.
Fun and Customizable: Pick any jello flavor or color, carve creative shapes, and coat with sugar to your liking.
Perfect Texture: Soft, chewy, and a little jiggly — the ideal gummy candy experience you won’t get from mass-produced gumdrops.
Great for All Ages: Kids can help with pouring and shaping, making it a fantastic family activity for holidays or rainy days.

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 here plays a special role — applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture, gelatin is the magic behind the chew, and jello provides vibrant flavors and color. Here’s the lowdown on these simple staples:

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 sweetness and helps create a slightly crunchy sugar coating that balances the chewy interior perfectly.
Unsweetened Applesauce: Acts as a natural sweetener and binder; its moisture keeps gumdrops tender without being sticky.
Jello (flavored gelatin): Supplies the signature fruit flavor and color — choose lime, cherry, or any favorite!
Unflavored Gelatin: The foundation for texture, giving gumdrops their classic chew and firmness once set.

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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

One of the best parts about this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I like to experiment with flavor combos or roll some gumdrops in citric acid mixed with sugar for a tart twist. Feel free to get creative!

Flavor Variations: I’ve had great luck doubling the batch and using lime jello for green gumdrops and cherry for red — it’s festive, especially around holidays!
Sugar Coating Twists: Swap regular granulated sugar for sanding sugar or mix in a pinch of cinnamon for a subtle seasonal spin.
Shape Play: Heated cookie cutters make cutting through these sticky candies super easy without crushing them.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Combine Ingredients

Start by lightly spraying an 11×7 or 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray — this helps when it's time to release your gumdrops. In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups of the sugar with the applesauce, flavored jello, and unflavored gelatin. Let it sit for about a minute so the gelatin and sugar start absorbing moisture, which helps create a smooth consistency later.

Step 2: Cook and Pour

Place your saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly as the mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling, keep it going for exactly one minute while stirring — this ensures the gelatin fully dissolves and the sugar starts to thicken the mixture just right. Then, pour the hot, sticky mixture immediately into your prepared pan. This step is fast, so have your pan ready!

Step 3: Chill and Set

Let the pan cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes before transferring it to the refrigerator. After chilling for at least 3 hours — or until firm — the gumdrop base will be ready to cut and coat.

Step 4: Cut and Sugar Coat

Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and generously sprinkle it with the remaining sugar. Use a metal spatula to carefully loosen the gumdrop slab from the pan. I find doing this in smaller chunks (cutting into 6–8 large pieces) makes transferring way easier and less messy. If you have mini cookie cutters, warm them under hot water to slice through the gumdrops cleanly. No cutters? A sharp knife or pizza cutter works just fine.

After cutting, leave your gumdrops on the sugar-lined board to dry and cure at room temperature for at least 8 hours or overnight. Then, roll each piece in the leftover sugar to coat and finish it off nicely.

Top Tip

Making these gumdrops can feel a bit sticky and tricky, but don’t let that scare you! I’ve learned a few tricks over time that make the process smoother and more fun.

Use a Metal Spatula: A plastic one doesn’t slide under the sticky gel well. The metal spatula lets you gently pry the gumdrops from the pan without tearing.
Warm Your Cookie Cutters: Dip them in hot water and dry before cutting — this prevents the cutters from sticking and squishing the gummy texture.
Don’t Rush the Coating Step: Letting the gumdrops sit uncovered helps firm up their outer texture, so the sugar sticks better and they’re less tacky to handle.
Cut in Portions: Trying to transfer a whole sheet can be messy. Cutting into manageable slabs first makes shaping less stressful and cleaner.

How to Serve Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a generous dusting of granulated sugar—sometimes mixed with a hint of citric acid for a tangy bite. For holidays, colored sanding sugar adds a sparkly festive look. A little extra flair without overpowering the chewy sweetness.

Side Dishes

These gumdrops shine best on their own as a sweet snack or party favor. But pairing them alongside a rich hot chocolate or a cup of spiced tea makes an indulgent treat break that will brighten any chilly day.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or gift-giving, I like arranging colorful gumdrops in small glass jars or decorative boxes tied with ribbon. You can also layer different flavored gumdrops in clear containers for a rainbow effect—that always gets compliments and starts conversations!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature. I’ve found they keep their perfect chewiness for up to a week. Just be sure they’re not in humid places or they'll get sticky and clump together.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze gumdrops because they’re best fresh, but if you must, wrap them tightly in parchment and freeze in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature before serving. Texture can soften slightly, so it’s a trade-off.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t really necessary for gumdrops, but if they get too firm in the fridge, just let them sit at room temperature for a while before eating. They soften nicely without losing their chew or flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different jello flavors for this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with any jello flavor you like. Lime, cherry, orange, and raspberry all work beautifully — just use one box per batch. Mixing flavors or preparing multiple batches with different colors can create a fun, festive assortment.

How do I prevent my gumdrops from sticking together?

The key is letting the gumdrops cure uncovered at room temperature for at least 8 hours, which helps firm up the outer layer. After that, rolling them generously in granulated sugar creates a barrier that keeps them from sticking. Store them in a single layer if possible, or separated with parchment paper when stacked.

Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?

Traditional gelatin is animal-based, but you can try substituting with agar-agar powder to make a vegetarian or vegan gumdrop version. Just keep in mind agar sets differently, so the texture will be firmer and less chewy. You might need to experiment with quantities and setting times for best results.

What’s the best way to cut gumdrops without them sticking?

Heating your cookie cutters in hot water before each use is a simple trick that prevents the gumdrops from sticking and tearing. Warming them briefly makes slicing clean and easy. If you don’t have cookie cutters, a sharp knife or pizza cutter sprayed lightly with non-stick spray also does the job well.

Final Thoughts

Making gumdrops at home is one of those small pleasures that feels like a secret superpower — you just might become the favorite gift-giver in your circle! This Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe is approachable, fun, and results in a candy that melts happily on your tongue. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) them as much as I do. Give it a go and watch your kitchen fill with sweet, fruity joy.