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.
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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.
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:
- 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Print
Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 11 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 60 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This homemade gumdrops recipe yields chewy, fruity candies made with gelatin and jello, offering a fun and colorful treat that you can customize with your favorite flavors. These gumdrops are coated in sugar for a classic finish and are perfect for candy lovers who enjoy a sweet and easy-to-make confection.
Ingredients
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; set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, stir to combine 2 cups sugar and the remaining ingredients; let stand 1 minute.
- Cook Gelatin Mixture: Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Allow the gelatin mixture to boil for 1 minute then pour immediately into the greased dish.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Allow to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes and then refrigerate for 3 hours, or until firm.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and sprinkle generously with sugar.
- Remove Gelatin from Dish: Use a metal spatula to loosen the gumdrop mixture from the sides and bottom of the dish. Transfer to the lined baking dish. You can transfer the whole sheet at once or slice into 6-8 large pieces and transfer one piece at a time.
- Cut Shapes: Cut out shapes with mini cookie cutters; return to lined baking sheet.
- Set Gumdrops: Let gumdrops sit at room temperature overnight (or at least 8 hours).
- Coat with Sugar: Add the remaining granulated sugar to a shallow bowl and roll each gumdrop in it until coated.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- To make red and green gumdrops, prepare the recipe twice using lime jello and cherry jello separately.
- Heat cookie cutters in hot water before cutting to easily cut into the chewy gumdrops without 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, but keep sliding a metal spatula under it and keep pulling—it will come out!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gumdrop
- Calories: 35 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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