There’s something truly magical about making candy from scratch—especially when it’s as fun and nostalgic as this Homemade Gumdrop Recipes Recipe. These chewy little treats bring back sweet memories and are surprisingly simple to make at home. Trust me, once you try making gumdrops yourself, you’ll never want to buy them from the store again!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made this homemade gumdrops recipe—it felt like crafting candy magic right in my own kitchen. What’s great is how straightforward it is, yet the result tastes so fresh and vibrant, far better than anything store-bought.
- Simplicity: You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to create these delightful treats.
- Customizable Flavors: Using different jello flavors lets you mix and match colors and tastes perfectly suited to your mood or occasion.
- Perfect Texture: The chewiness is just right—firm but soft—and coated with sugar to keep things balanced and not sticky.
- Great for Gifting: They store well and look adorable when shaped with cookie cutters, making them ideal for homemade sweets gifts.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this homemade gumdrops recipe does a particular job to get that perfect chewy candy texture. I recommend using fresh gelatin and quality jello for the best flavor pop. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Granulated sugar: Acts as the sweetener and coats the gumdrops to give them a lovely finish and prevent sticking.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Brings natural fruit moisture and body, helping balance the texture without overpowering sweetness.
- Jello (like lime or cherry): Provides vibrant color and the tasty fruit flavor base for the gumdrops.
- Unflavored gelatin: This is essential to achieve that classic chewy gummy texture that holds the candies together.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite parts about this Homemade Gumdrop Recipes Recipe is how adaptable it is. I encourage you to experiment with your favorite jello flavors or even mix colors for festive vibes.
- Variation: I often make a batch with lime jello for a refreshing zesty flavor and another with cherry for sweetness. Sometimes I combine both for a fun red-and-green holiday mix!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Gumdrop Recipes Recipe
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
Before you heat anything, spritz your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray—this step is key for easy removal later. I use an 11x7 dish because it makes the gumdrops a perfect thickness, but a 9x13 works too.
Step 2: Mix and Heat the Ingredients
In a large saucepan, I start by combining 2 cups of sugar with the applesauce, jello, and gelatin. It’s helpful to let it sit briefly so the gelatin softens a bit. Then, I bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Once boiling, a minute of steady stirring helps everything dissolve and blend perfectly.
Step 3: Pour and Chill
Pour the hot mixture immediately into your greased dish. Let it sit at room temperature for around 15 minutes so it starts to set, then pop it in the fridge for at least 3 hours until it’s firm. Patience here really pays off!
Step 4: Cut and Sugar Coat the Gumdrops
Line a cutting board with parchment and sprinkle lots of sugar. Use a metal spatula to gently slide the chewy sheet from the pan and transfer it to this sugared surface. Don’t worry if it’s sticky—a steady hand and a little patience make the transfer easier.
From here, you can grab mini cookie cutters to shape the gumdrops into adorable fruits or circles. If you don’t have cutters, a pizza cutter or sharp knife works great to slice them into neat squares.
After cutting, let the pieces rest uncovered at room temperature overnight (or at least 8 hours). Then, roll each in the last bit of sugar to give them that classic gumdrop sparkle and perfect bite.
Top Tip
Making homemade gumdrops might sound tricky, but a few tricks from my kitchen have made all the difference. With practice, you’ll get the right feel for when the mixture is at the perfect stage for cutting and shaping.
- Warm Cookie Cutters: I heat my mini cookie cutters briefly in hot water before cutting—this helps them slice cleanly through the sticky gumdrop sheet without tearing.
- Sticky But Manageable: The gelatin mixture is naturally sticky, so keep sliding your metal spatula gently under the edges to loosen. It’s all about patience!
- Room Temperature Rest: Letting the cut gumdrops sit uncovered overnight firms them up just right before the sugar coating.
- Use Parchment Paper: Always work on a sugared parchment-lined surface to avoid any annoying sticking during cutting and rolling.
How to Serve Homemade Gumdrop Recipes Recipe
Garnishes
I love dusting the finished gumdrops with extra granulated sugar—they get that perfect slight crunch and don’t stick to your fingers. For a fun twist, you could try sanding sugar or even a light dusting of powdered sugar for a frosty look.
Side Dishes
These gumdrops make a fantastic sweet nibble alongside hot cocoa or espresso—perfect for cozy nights. They also pair well with a simple fruit and cheese platter for a playful contrast to savory flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays, I’ve arranged these colorful gumdrops in glass jars with ribbons, and they made adorable party favors. You can also thread them on skewers for candy kabobs at kids' parties or lay them out in a rainbow pattern on dessert trays.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature. They last well up to a week without losing that chewy texture or flavor. Avoid the fridge as moisture changes their consistency.
Freezing
Freezing gumdrops isn’t my go-to since the texture can become a bit grainy after thawing. If you want to try, wrap them individually in wax paper and store them in a freezer bag, then thaw gently at room temperature.
Reheating
Since gumdrops aren’t really reheated, you usually just enjoy them as is. If they feel a bit stiff, letting them sit at room temperature for a while usually brings back their perfect chewiness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Just make sure to use unflavored gelatin for the right texture. Knox is convenient and reliable, but other quality brands work well too.
Resting the gumdrops uncovered at room temperature overnight allows them to firm up and dry slightly, which makes rolling them in sugar easier and prevents them from sticking together.
Applesauce helps with moisture and texture but if you want to experiment, you could try substituting with a fruit puree, though the texture might vary slightly. I wouldn’t recommend skipping it entirely.
Rolling the gumdrops in plenty of granulated sugar after resting creates a dry coating that prevents them from sticking to your fingers. You can also dust your hands with sugar as you handle them.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Gumdrop Recipes Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s a little project you can do in an afternoon that feels both comforting and creative. I love gifting these colorful candies to friends and family, and watching their faces light up when they taste something made by hand. Give it a try—you’ll be surprised at how satisfying and fun homemade gumdrops can be!
Print
Homemade Gumdrop Recipes Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 11 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 60 pieces
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Homemade gumdrops are a delightful, chewy candy made from gelatin, fruit-flavored Jello, and applesauce, coated generously in sugar for a sweet finish. This recipe walks you through creating colorful, fun-shaped treats perfect for candy lovers and enjoyable as homemade gifts.
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 baking dish: Spray an 11×7 or 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside to avoid sticking.
- Combine ingredients: In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of granulated sugar, unsweetened applesauce, Jello, and unflavored gelatin. Let the mixture stand for 1 minute to hydrate the gelatin.
- Cook the mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat while stirring constantly. Once boiling, allow it to boil for 1 full minute to activate the gelatin properly.
- Pour and set: Immediately pour the hot gelatin mixture into the greased baking dish. Let it cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, then refrigerate for 3 hours or until the mixture is firm.
- Prepare the cutting surface: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and sprinkle generously with granulated sugar to prevent sticking.
- Transfer the gumdrop sheet: Use a metal spatula to carefully loosen the gumdrop mixture from the sides and bottom of the dish. Transfer the entire set sheet or cut into 6-8 large pieces and transfer stepwise onto the sugar-lined cutting board.
- Cut shapes: Use mini cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the gumdrop sheet and place them on a lined baking sheet. If cookie cutters are unavailable, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice into small pieces.
- Dry the gumdrops: Allow the gumdrops to sit at room temperature overnight or at least 8 hours to firm up further.
- Coat with sugar: Pour the remaining granulated sugar into a shallow bowl and roll each gumdrop until fully coated. This adds a sweet, sparkling finish and prevents sticking.
Notes
- Store gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- Prepare the recipe twice using different Jello flavors (lime and cherry) to make red and green gumdrops.
- Heat cookie cutters in hot water before cutting to easily slice through the chewy gumdrops without sticking.
- If you don’t have cookie cutters, a pizza cutter or sharp knife works well for neat slicing.
- The gelatin mixture is very sticky but use a metal spatula to gently slide under and lift it out of the baking dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 35 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 5 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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