Description
Sweet, chewy Homemade Gumdrops bring nostalgic candy shop magic right into home kitchens with simple ingredients and easy preparation. Fruity, sugar-coated gems will delight friends and family, offering a playful twist on classic confectionery you can’t resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups granulated sugar
- 1.5 cups applesauce (no sugar added)
Gelling Agents:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) Jell-O (any flavor, such as cherry, lime, or orange)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) unflavored gelatin (2 envelopes)
Flavor Enhancer:
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13 baking dish by thoroughly coating it with cooking spray, creating a non-stick surface for the gumdrop mixture.
- In a large saucepan, blend sugar, applesauce, Jell-O, unflavored gelatin, and lemon juice, allowing the ingredients to meld together for one minute.
- Heat the mixture over medium temperature, continuously stirring to prevent scorching, and bring to a rolling boil for exactly one minute.
- Transfer the liquid mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly, and refrigerate until completely set and firm, which may take 3-4 hours or ideally overnight.
- Create a work surface by laying parchment paper on a cutting board and generously dusting with sugar to prevent sticking.
- Carefully loosen the gelatin edges using a flexible spatula and gently invert the entire sheet onto the sugared parchment paper.
- Use decorative cookie cutters to slice the gumdrop mixture into whimsical shapes, ensuring clean cuts.
- Allow the freshly cut gumdrops to air-dry for approximately 8 hours, creating a slightly tacky exterior.
- Roll each gumdrop in additional sugar, ensuring complete coverage and a sparkling finish.
- Store the completed treats in an airtight container to maintain their texture and prevent moisture absorption.
Notes
- Select high-quality Jell-O flavors to create vibrant, delicious gumdrops that pop with color and taste.
- Use fresh lemon juice for a bright, zesty undertone that enhances the overall flavor profile of your homemade treats.
- Ensure precise timing when boiling the mixture to achieve the perfect texture – one minute is crucial for setting the gumdrops correctly.
- Let gumdrops dry completely to develop a slightly tacky exterior that holds the sugar coating beautifully, creating a professional-looking candy.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 99
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg