Description
These homemade gumdrops are a delightful, chewy candy made with natural ingredients like applesauce and gelatin. Infused with fruity flavors from lime or cherry Jello, they are easy to make and perfect for candy lovers who enjoy a sweet, nostalgic treat. Coated in sugar and perfectly shaped with cookie cutters, these gumdrops provide a fun and rewarding candy-making experience at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 ⅓ cups unsweetened applesauce
- 6 ounces Jello (lime or cherry flavor)
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (such as Knox)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Spray an 11×7 or 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Mix ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups of granulated sugar with the applesauce, Jello, and unflavored gelatin. Stir well and let the mixture stand for 1 minute to hydrate the gelatin.
- Cook the mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil the gelatin mixture for 1 minute, ensuring it is fully dissolved and thickened.
- Pour into dish: Immediately pour the hot gelatin mixture into the prepared baking dish to set. Let it cool at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Refrigerate to set: Transfer the dish to the refrigerator and chill for 3 hours or until the mixture is firm and jelly-like.
- Prepare for cutting: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and sprinkle it generously with sugar to prevent sticking during shaping.
- Loosen and transfer: Use a metal spatula to carefully loosen the gumdrop mixture from the sides and bottom of the dish. Transfer the whole sheet or slice into 6-8 large pieces onto the sugared parchment paper.
- Cut shapes: Use mini cookie cutters to cut the gumdrop sheet into desired shapes, placing the cut gumdrops back onto the lined baking sheet.
- Dry gumdrops: Let the gumdrops sit at room temperature overnight (at least 8 hours) to develop the proper chewy texture.
- Coat with sugar: Place the remaining sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each gumdrop until fully coated in sugar for a classic finish.
Notes
- Store gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- For colorful red and green gumdrops, prepare the recipe twice: once using lime Jello and once with cherry Jello.
- Heat cookie cutters in hot water before cutting to prevent sticking and achieve clean cuts.
- If you don't have cookie cutters, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice gumdrops into neat small pieces.
- The gelatin mixture will be very sticky; use a metal spatula to gently slide under and loosen the mixture from the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gumdrop
- 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
