This recipe was so much fun! I was so excited to make my own gumdrops and you definitely have to make two batches so you have a nice color contrast. The best part is that they are SO easy! It’s like making jello and then dipping them in sugar – so simple yet so delicious! The best part of making the gumdrops is the leftover tidbits after cutting out the shapes. I cut them down into small pieces, dredged in sugar and the boys and I have been enjoying the “scraps” and saving the pretties for gifts :)
The gumdrops are quite photogenic and I had so much fun photographing them. It was hard to put my camera down and then harder still to narrow down the pictures I wanted to share with you so let’s get to it!
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups sugar, divided
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce {I used natural, no sugar added}
- 2 pkgs {3 ounces each} red or green gelatin {i.e. cherry, lime, etc.} – 6 oz total
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin {.25 oz each}
- 1 tsp lemon juice {I used bottled}
Instructions:
Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Place in refrigerator.
Combine 2 cups sugar, applesauce, red OR green gelatin, unflavored gelatin and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Let stand for 1 minute. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute and then immediately pour into cold baking dish. Refrigerate until firm {about three hours should do it. I left mine in overnight.}
Loosen the sides of the gelatin with a spatula and invert onto cutting board or waxed paper. You can see how firm it is here:
Use small, sharp cookie cutters to cut out gumdrops. It helps to dip the cutters into hot water first.
Sprinkle sugar over a piece of waxed paper and place gumdrops on top of sugar. Let dry for about 8 hours or until slightly sticky.
Roll in remaining sugar and store in an airtight container.
Aren’t they pretty??
And one more because I can’t help myself ;)
Yup. Definitely the most fun I’ve had with a recipe in a long time :)
- 2 1/2 cups sugar, divided
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce {I used natural, no sugar added}
- 2 pkgs {3 ounces each} red or green gelatin {i.e. cherry, lime, etc.}
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 1 tsp lemon juice {I used bottled}
- Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Place in refrigerator.
- Combine 2 cups sugar, applesauce, red OR green gelatin, unflavored gelatin and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Let stand for 1 minute.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly.
- Boil for 1 minute and then immediately pour into cold baking dish.
- Refrigerate until firm {about three hours should do it. I left mine in overnight.}
- Loosen the sides of the gelatin with a spatula and invert onto cutting board or waxed paper. You can see how firm it is here:
- Use small, sharp cookie cutters to cut out gumdrops. It helps to dip the cutters into hot water first.
- Sprinkle sugar over a piece of waxed paper and place gumdrops on top of sugar. Let dry for about 8 hours or until slightly sticky.
- Roll in remaining sugar and store in an airtight container.
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home: Food Gifts.
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Wow – I had no idea you could make your own gumdrops with such common ingredients. I agree, they are very photogenic!
Jenn recently posted..Eggnog Coffee Cake
Cool!
Shiloh Barkley recently posted..Pecan Pie Cheesecake
WOW this is awesome!!! I never even thought you could make these at home!! They sound fantastic and look great! Thanks for sharing!!!
Maria recently posted..Sopressata and Cheese in Puff Pastry
What a great idea! I’m so going to try this with my kiddies! Thanks :)
Liz recently posted..White Chocolate Dipped Molasses Cookies
These are so cute! Who knew they could be so easy to make? I will have to try this one day, thanks for sharing :) I found you via Scrumptious Sunday. Having a link-up at my little blog too if you’d like to join: http://jessica-healthymommyhealthybaby.blogspot.com/2012/12/meatless-monday-christmas-cookies.html. Have a great day!
Jessica recently posted..Meatless Monday: Spaghetti Pizza Pie
Those look delicious! Thanks for sharing. :)
Megan recently posted..Goodwill Lamp Redo
What a fun idea. My grandkids would love to make these. Thanks for sharing.
Rita recently posted..My Heart is Saddened
On these are so awesome! I love the Christmas shapes..Pinning :)
My kids are going to go crazy for this!! Pinned!
Jenn recently posted..With a saddened heart…
That is so cool! I’ve never seen a recipe for gumdrops!
Tonia@thegunnysack recently posted..What’s In The Gunny Sack? Link Party #68
Those are so cute, it makes me want to decorate with them!! LOL
I would love for you to share it at my SHOW-licious Craft Showcase party!
http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2012/12/show-licious-craft-showcase-12.html
Happy Holidays!
Marti
I cannot wait to try this! My kids will absolutely love it. Thanks for the recipe.
Kirstylee recently posted..Gingerbread Man Cut and Paste Preschool Activity
How fun! I cannot wait to try this!
Holly Lefevre recently posted..Gingerbread Kiss Cookies
Oh my word this looks so yummy, so easy I am making these!
Pamela recently posted..Sour Cream Mini Donuts with Vanilla Glaze and Christmas Sprinkles
This is such a great idea! I love it!
Merry Christmas!
Melissa @ The Alchemist
Wow! And double WOW! These look so yummy and easy to make. Thank you so much for sharing a recipe card. :)
Julie
Julie recently posted..Christams Decor – Christmas Home Tour
Wow! Who knew this would be so easy to do! I’ve pinned this to try and make before Christmas day…
I would love to invite you to share this at my Cook, Craft, Create Link Party at The Purple Pumpkin Blog
Hope to see you there!
Happy holidays :)
Michelle
Michelle recently posted..Babe In Arms {Project 366 – Day 353}
I’ve made this recipe before and these gumdrops are sooooo good (and perfect for kiddos)! I love how you used the cookie cutter shapes to make these – just perfect for the season. Thank you so much for sharing at What’s In Your Kitchen Wednesday!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..What’s In Your Kitchen Wednesday {and #BloggersforSandyHook}
So yummy! Thanks Ashley!
About how many gumdrops can you make using the one recipe? I know it depends on the size of your cutouts…but in general would you be able to estimate?
For each batch I got about 40, but yeah it totally depends on the size of you cutters and also how careful you are :)
These look fantastic! Pinning them now!
Thanks Kelly! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
They came out great, I want to try this!
Mel recently posted..5 Wishes and See You Next Year.
We brought some to Reece’s teacher yesterday and she was pretty impressed :) They’re so easy to make and really yummy – definitely give them a try if you have the time!
oh boy, those sound yummy but they look so cute!
sue @ cakeballs, cookies and more recently posted..Red Velvet Marshmallow Star Pops
Thank you so much Sue! Merry Christmas!
Yummy and cute too! Thanks so much for linking up to Do Something Crafty Friday!
Just to let you know I featured your wonderful project today. Stop by and grab a featured button.
Happy Holidays! http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-inspiration-board-link-party_21.html
carolyn ~ homework recently posted..The Inspiration Board: link party spotlight ~81~
Who knew these were so easy to make! I can’t wait to try them! Thanks so much for sharing! Great photos of the gumdrops! :)
Nicole of What Matters Most Now recently posted..{Best Christmas Desserts} Cherry Eggnog Bread
OMG!! These are sooo cute and look delicious! We are so glad to have you drop by our Strut Your Stuff Saturday link party and share these. Have a Merry Christmas! -The Six Sisters
Very cool idea!
so cute! I’m pinning these for next Christmas….do you know how long they keep, if you want to do them as gifts?
Gretchen@Boxy Colonial recently posted..DIY Steps for Amateurs–by Dave!
Hi Gretchen! They keep for a couple weeks {at least!} Just store them in an airtight container :) Thanks for the pin!
These are the funnest recipe ever! Thanks so much for stopping by our Strut Your Stuff Saturday and sharing them with everyone! Have a Happy New Year! -The Six Sisters
As always, this looks so good trish! The applesauce really surprised me and has motivated me to make them! Thanks for sharing at the Humble Brag!
Thanks Jocie – they’re delicious!
Look so nice… I’ll try it soon
Thank you
hi ! i’m going to try this recipe but i need to know how many ounces does the unflavored gelatin has, because i have different brands with different weight ..thanks !
Oh wonderful! They are 1 oz each. Have fun!
thank you !! :D
So wait is it 1 flavored package of jello + two unflavored packages of jello or is it 1 flavored + 1 unflavored packet per batch?
It depends on the size of JELL-O box. You need six ounces of JELL-O and 2 ounces of unflavored gelatin per batch. Hope that helps!
Wow, gotta try these with my son…I think it’s fun to make ánd also fun to eat! Thanks for sharing!