If you’ve ever craved those nostalgic, chewy, colorful treats from childhood, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe. It’s surprisingly simple to make, a lot less intimidating than you might think, and way more rewarding. Plus, once you try these, you might never want to buy store-bought gumdrops again—they’re just that good!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll find everything you need is probably already in your pantry.
- Customizable Flavors: Use your favorite Jell-O flavors to create a personalized batch.
- Fun And Nostalgic: Making gumdrops from scratch brings back fond memories and tastes even better.
- Perfect Texture: These gumdrops turn out chewy, bright, and just the right amount of fruity sweetness every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe is how these simple ingredients blend together to make something truly magical. Plus, I love that there’s no weird stuff—just sugar, gelatin, juice essence, and a touch of lemon to brighten it all up.
- Granulated sugar: Divided use helps with both sweetness and the final sugary coating.
- Applesauce (no sugar added): Adds natural pectin and moisture, balancing the sweetness nicely.
- Jello (cherry, lime, or your favorite flavor): This is where your gumdrops get their vibrant color and fun fruity flavor.
- Unflavored gelatin: Critical for achieving that classic gummy texture.
- Lemon juice: Gives just a subtle tart kick that brightens up the overall flavor.
Variations
I love encouraging folks to make the Homemade Gumdrops Recipe their own. After all, candy making should be fun and a little adventurous, right? Here are some simple ways I’ve tinkered with this recipe to keep it exciting:
- Flavor swirls: I once layered two different Jello flavors and got a gorgeous ombré effect—your kids will love the color surprise!
- Sugar-free option: I experimented with using sugar substitutes in the coating, but sticking to the original sugar for the gummy base keeps the texture just right.
- Fruit juice swap: Replace some applesauce with pure fruit juice or concentrate for bolder flavors—just adjust sugar accordingly.
- Spiced gumdrops: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or ground cloves to the dry sugar coating gives a subtle festive twist.
How to Make Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Gather Ingredients
Start by coating a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray—that helps the gumdrops release easily later on. While you’re at it, line up all your ingredients. It makes the whole process smoother and stops you from scrambling once the hot syrup is ready.
Step 2: Combine and Heat the Mixture
In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups of sugar, the applesauce, Jello powder, unflavored gelatin, and lemon juice. Stir everything gently, then let it sit for a minute—this helps the gelatin bloom for a better set. Now bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Once boiling, give it a full minute of stirring and boiling, then take it off the heat. Trust me, stirring is key here to keep lumps at bay and get that velvety texture.
Step 3: Pour and Chill
Immediately pour your hot mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover lightly—if you don’t, a skin can form on top. Chill this in the refrigerator until firm, which usually takes about three hours, but I often leave mine overnight if I’m prepping ahead. Patience here really pays off because the texture firms up perfectly.
Step 4: Cut Out Your Gumdrops
Once your gummy sheet is set, place a large cutting board with parchment paper sprinkled with sugar. Loosen the edges of the gelatin with a spatula, then invert it onto the sugar-covered parchment. Use small, sharp cookie cutters to cut out your gumdrops—dip the cutters in hot water occasionally to slice cleanly and wipe them off to keep them sugar-free. For me, shapes are half the fun!
Step 5: Let Gumdrops Dry and Sugar Coat
Leave the cut gumdrops on top of the sugar-coated parchment for about eight hours or until they’re just slightly sticky. Then roll each in the remaining granulated sugar to give them that classic sparkle and prevent sticking. Store your gumdrops in an airtight container once fully coated.
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
- Keep The Pot Clean: I always wipe down sides of my pan with a wet pastry brush while boiling to prevent crystallization.
- Use Fresh Gelatin: Old gelatin can impact gummy texture—I learned this the hard way!
- Cookie Cutter Cold Dip: Dipping cutters in hot water before each cut makes slicing much smoother.
- Avoid Rushed Drying: Let gumdrops sit long enough on the sugared parchment so they don’t stick when rolling.
How to Serve Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
Garnishes
My favorite way to finish these gumdrops is with a dusting of colored sanding sugar or fine crystal sugar to add a little extra sparkle and texture. Sometimes I add a hint of powdered tart cherry powder to intensify the flavor and color. It makes the gumdrops look just as festive as they taste!
Side Dishes
While gumdrops are definitely sweet stars on their own, I like pairing them with hot tea or a crisp white wine for a grown-up twist. Around the holidays, they are the perfect complement to sugar cookies or buttery shortbread. Bonus: kids will happily nibble on gumdrops while you enjoy those classics!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to arrange assorted flavors in little glass bowls or candy jars with cute labels. Sometimes I even thread gumdrops on a skewer for colorful edible garlands—kids love playing with these before eating. Giving them as gifts? A small clear bag tied with ribbon and a handwritten tag always wins hearts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store my gumdrops in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. They tend to keep beautifully at room temperature for up to two weeks—though in my house, they rarely last that long!
Freezing
Freezing gumdrops works surprisingly well. I like to freeze them spread out on a baking sheet first so they don’t clump, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag. When thawed at room temperature, they maintain their chewy texture with no problem.
Reheating
Since gumdrops are best served as-is, you typically don’t reheat them. But if you want to soften hardened gumdrops, a quick zap in the microwave for just a few seconds—watch carefully—can work. Otherwise, just let them sit out at room temp to regain chewiness.
FAQs
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Can I make homemade gumdrops without gelatin?
Gelatin is key for the chewy texture traditional gumdrops have. If you need a vegetarian alternative, you might try agar-agar, but results may vary and the texture will be different. I haven’t found a perfect gelatin substitute that replicates the classic gumdrop feel exactly.
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How long do homemade gumdrops last?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, homemade gumdrops usually stay fresh for up to two weeks. Just be sure they’re fully coated in sugar to prevent sticking and moisture buildup.
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Can I use different flavors of Jell-O together?
Absolutely! Mixing and matching flavors is one of my favorite ways to get creative with this recipe. You can layer or swirl different colors, or batch cook separate flavors then combine them for a fun variety pack.
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What if my gumdrops are too sticky?
If they’re sticky after cooling, leaving them to dry longer on the sugared parchment usually solves the problem. Also, rolling them generously in sugar creates a protective coating that stops sticking.
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Can kids help with making gumdrops?
Definitely! Kids love cutting out the shapes and rolling them in sugar. Just be sure adults handle the hot boiling step. It’s a fun kitchen activity that makes great memories.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Homemade Gumdrops Recipe has become my go-to for gifting, party treats, and just indulging a sweet tooth with something homemade and special. I love how approachable it is—you don’t need fancy candy-making equipment, just a little patience and love. Give it a try, and watch your family’s faces light up when they bite into those soft, fruity classics made right in your kitchen. Trust me, once you start making these, you’ll be hooked!
Print
Homemade Gumdrops Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 60 gumdrops
- Category: Dessert/Candy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully chewy and colorful homemade gumdrops made from simple pantry ingredients like sugar, applesauce, gelatin, and flavored Jello. These classic candy treats are perfect for snacking, decorating baked goods, or gifting. The recipe involves boiling the mixture, setting it in the fridge, and then cutting and coating the gumdrops in sugar for a sweet finish.
Ingredients
Gumdrop Mixture
- 2½ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1½ cups unsweetened applesauce
- 6 oz flavored Jello (cherry, lime, or your choice)
- ½ oz unflavored gelatin (2 envelopes)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and set it aside.
- Combine ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups of the granulated sugar, the unsweetened applesauce, flavored Jello, unflavored gelatin, and lemon juice. Stir these ingredients well to evenly distribute the gelatin and Jello powder. Let the mixture rest for about 1 minute to allow the gelatin to hydrate.
- Cook the mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly as the mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling, maintain the boil for exactly 1 minute while continuing to stir to prevent burning or clumping.
- Set the mixture: Immediately pour the hot gelatin mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Refrigerate the dish for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, until the mixture is fully firm and set.
- Prepare to cut gumdrops: Cover a large cutting board with parchment paper and sprinkle it generously with the remaining ½ cup of sugar. Loosen the edges of the gelatin block with a spatula, then carefully invert it onto the prepared sugar-coated parchment paper.
- Cut gumdrops: Using small, sharp cookie cutters dipped briefly in hot water to prevent sticking, cut the gelatin block into desired shapes. Rinse and dip the cutters as needed to keep clean and working smoothly.
- Dry gumdrops: Leave the cut gumdrops spread out on the sugar-coated parchment paper for about 8 hours, or until they are just slightly sticky to the touch.
- Coat and store: Once dried, roll the gumdrops in the remaining sugar to coat evenly. Store finished gumdrops in an airtight container to maintain freshness and chewiness.
Notes
- Use flavored Jello to give your gumdrops a vibrant color and sweet fruit flavor – popular options include cherry, lime, or orange.
- Dipping cookie cutters in hot water ensures clean cuts and prevents sticking while shaping the gumdrops.
- Allowing gumdrops to dry slightly before coating them in sugar helps the sugar stick better and avoid excess clumping.
- Store gumdrops in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to keep their texture and flavor for up to 2 weeks.
- This recipe yields approximately 60 small gumdrops, depending on the size of cookie cutters used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gumdrop
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
