Make these fun and fruity Homemade Gumdrops with applesauce, sugar, flavored gelatin, and unflavored gelatin. Perfect for parties or gifting!
Alright, picture this: it’s the middle of December, the kitchen smells like cinnamon and sugar, and I’m elbow-deep in sticky gelatin. Sounds messy, right? It was. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Growing up, my mom and I used to make gumdrops every Christmas. Not the store-bought kind either. I’m talking about homemade gumdrops, the kind you cut into little cubes and roll in sugar until they sparkle like tiny jewels. It wasn’t perfect. Half the time, they stuck to the counter or each other, and there were always sticky fingerprints on everything within a five-foot radius. But it was our thing. It became a tradition, and now I make them with my kids. Honestly, sometimes I think they only help so they can lick the spoons.
If you’ve never tried making candy at home, these Homemade Gumdrops are the perfect place to start. No candy thermometer. No fancy gadgets. Just a saucepan, a little patience (okay, maybe a lot), and a willingness to get a little sticky. Sound familiar?
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Gumdrops Recipe?
I get it. You’re wondering why you should bother making gumdrops when you can grab a bag at the store. Fair question. But here’s the thing—these aren’t just gumdrops. They’re your gumdrops. You pick the flavors, you cut them into stars or hearts or funky little blobs, and you get to eat them fresh. Nothing beats that.
Plus, they’re:
- Customizable: Love cherry? Go for it. Want lemon-lime? Do both!
- Ridiculously pretty: I’m talking edible jewelry here, folks.
- A perfect gift: Pop them in a jar, tie on a ribbon, and boom—instant holiday hero.
- Nostalgic: One bite, and you’re eight years old again, sneaking candy when no one’s looking.
- Simple: Applesauce and gelatin. Who knew they had candy magic in them?
Ingredient Notes:
Before we dive in, let me give you the rundown on the key players here.
-
Sugar (5 cups, divided)
It’s candy. There’s no getting around it. You’ll need some for the mix and more for that final sugary coat. The more, the merrier, right? -
Applesauce (2 2/3 cups, divided)
This is the secret sauce. It keeps things moist and chewy without adding a ton of extra sweetness. I stick to unsweetened, but hey, you do you. -
Flavored Gelatin (4 packs, 3 oz each)
This is where the fun happens! Strawberry and lime are my go-to, but you can pick your favorites. (Grape and orange? Total crowd-pleasers.) -
Unflavored Gelatin (4 envelopes)
It’s the glue that holds it all together. Well, not literal glue. But you get the idea.
How To Make Homemade Gumdrops?
Step 1: Prep Your Space
Grease two pans (I use an 11×7 and a 9×13). Or line them with parchment if you’re feeling fancy. You’ll thank yourself later when it’s time to pop them out.
Step 2: Strawberry Gumdrops First
In a saucepan, combine 2 cups sugar, 1 ⅓ cups applesauce, 2 packs strawberry gelatin, and 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin. Let it sit for a minute—kind of like letting dough rise, but way faster.
Then, bring it to a boil while stirring like your life depends on it. Once it hits that bubbly goodness, boil for one more minute.
Pour the hot mixture into one of your greased pans. Spread it out, give it a little shake (the pan, not you—unless you’re dancing, then go for it).
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Step 3: Lime Gumdrops Are Next
Repeat the process with your lime ingredients. Two pans, two flavors. If you’re anything like me, you’ll start singing “Green and red, Christmas ahead” while you stir.
Step 4: Chill
Pop both pans in the fridge for three hours. Yes, you have to wait. No, there’s no shortcut. This is where I usually sneak in a cup of cocoa and catch up on emails. Or scroll Instagram. No judgment.
Step 5: Cut, Shape, and Play
Once they’re firm, cut them into squares or bust out the cookie cutters. Stars, hearts, trees—whatever you’re feeling. My youngest insisted on making dinosaur gumdrops once. It was… something.
Step 6: Let Them Dry
Now comes the hardest part. Let them sit out on wax paper for eight hours (or overnight). This gives them time to firm up a little more and develop that classic gumdrop chew.
Step 7: Sugar Coat
Roll each one in sugar so they sparkle like they’ve been kissed by fairy dust. Don’t skip this part. Trust me.
Storage Options:
- Room Temp: Airtight container, one week. If they last that long!
- Fridge: A couple of weeks. They’ll stay firmer, but you’ll want to let them come to room temp before eating.
- Freezer: Yep, you can freeze them! Just wrap them up tight and thaw before serving.
Variations and Substitutions:
- Different Flavors: Any flavor of gelatin works. Raspberry, pineapple, mango—get creative.
- Natural Versions: Use fruit puree and unflavored gelatin. It’s a bit trickier but worth it if you’re into that sort of thing.
- Sour Gumdrops: Add citric acid to the final sugar coating. Pucker up!
- Shapes & Sizes: Use silicone molds for fancy shapes. Or make tiny ones for cupcake toppers.
What to Serve with Homemade Gumdrops?
- Hot Chocolate: Drop one in for a fruity twist!
- Dessert Platters: Add them to your Christmas cookie trays for a pop of color.
- Party Favors: Bag ‘em up, tie on a bow, and watch your friends freak out over how cute they are.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I really have to wait 8 hours?
Short answer? Yes. Long answer? I tried skipping this once. Don’t be like me.
Can I use homemade applesauce?
Sure! Just make sure it’s smooth and unsweetened. Chunky applesauce makes for lumpy gumdrops. Ask me how I know.
How long do they last?
Long enough to make you proud. But in my house? About three days, tops.
I hope you’re as excited as I am to whip up a batch of these Homemade Gumdrops. Whether you’re making them for a party, gifting them to your favorite teacher, or just sneaking them out of the jar when no one’s looking (guilty), they’re a total win.
If you give them a try, I’d love to hear how they turn out! Did you go classic red and green? Or mix it up with wild flavors? Share your gumdrop adventures in the comments!
And hey, don’t worry if your first batch is a little… rustic. Mine sure was.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Homemade Gumdrops
Ingredients
- 5 c sugar divided
- 2 2/3 c applesauce divided
- 2 packages 3 oz each strawberry gelatin
- 2 packages 3 oz each lime gelatin
- 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin divided
Instructions
To prepare the strawberry gumdrops:
- Take a saucepan and combine 2 cups of sugar, 1 ⅓ cups of applesauce, 2 packets of strawberry gelatin and 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin.
- Let the mixture stand for about a minute.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a boil while stirring constantly. Keep boiling for another minute.
- Grease an 11x7 or 9x13 inch pan and pour the mixture into it.
Now let's move on to making the lime gumdrops:
- Repeat step one using a set of ingredients; 2 cups of sugar, 1 ⅓ cups of applesauce, 2 packets of lime gelatin and 2 envelopes of gelatin.
Once both mixtures are prepared:
- Refrigerate both pans for three hours until they are firmly set.
- Cut the mixture into squares or use cookie cutters to create various shapes.
- Transfer the gumdrops onto wax or parchment paper.
- Allow them to dry naturally at room temperature for eight hours or overnight.
- Lastly, roll each gumdrop in some remaining sugar for a touch.
- Now you can indulge in your gumdrops! Enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
