Homemade Valentine’s Day Gumdrops are made with applesauce and JELL-O – super easy and super yummy!
I love making holiday-specific treats and we had so much fun making our Christmas Gum Drops that I knew we were going to make some for Valentine’s Day. I let the boys pick out the Jell-O and they chose raspberry and strawberry flavors. We made up two batches so we’d have plenty to enjoy at home and to hand out to friends. This recipe is so simple and is so much fun for the kids! I let Reece and Bryce go through out giant box of cookies cutters to pick out which ones they wanted to use.
Reece is the official “sugar boy” – he loves to dredge the gumdrops in the sugar.
We ended up with a lot of gumdrops! We even made some “X’s” and “O’s” – so fun!
These are going to be so fun packaging up and handing out this Valentine’s Day…
What other shapes would be fun for Valentine’s Day?
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups sugar, divided
- 1 1/2 cups applesauce {I used natural, no sugar added}
- 6 oz package of Jell-O
- 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, Jell-O, 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.}
- Loosen the sides of the gelatin with a spatula and invert onto cutting board or waxed paper that has been sprinkled with sugar. The sugar keeps it from sticking.
- Use small, sharp cookie cutters to cut out gumdrops.
- 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.
Here are some more Valentine’s Day recipes and crafts to try out:
Bring on the “Bling” Valentine Ring
Connect with me!
Linking up here, Home Stories A2Z, Savvy Southern Style, Serenity Now, and My Repurposed Life.
Trish I love these! I have been wanting to make homemade gumdrops for awhile now! these look perfect!
Sooo easy Aimee!
Just checking as I want to make these for my granddaughter today. Jello with sugar in it is 1.4 oz. Can I just just a box of sugar free using this another 1.4 oz. ?
You need 6 oz total of JELL-O. JELL-O comes in 3 oz and 6 oz boxes so you can use {2} 3 oz boxes or {1} 6 oz box. Then you also need {2} .25 oz packages of unflavored gelatin. Others have substituted the sugar-free JELL-O in and they came out great. Good luck!
I will prepare the jello in the am so my granddaughter and I can finish them together after school. She can give some to her family and take some to kindergarten Thursday. Thanks.
Beautiful ! They look so yummy! You did an amazing job…as always! Have a lovely weekend Trish! Angie xo
So fun! I pinned these to make later, like in an hour ;). Thanks so much!
They look so cute and yummy!
KC
I have had that recipe pinned for a while to try. Now I know I need to make some for my kiddos!!!
So fun and easy too Jocelyn!
These are so cute, look super yummy and I just pinned them to death. Can’t believe how cute they are!!
Thanks Shannon!
I am so excited to try these! They look so fun and festive! I have three sugar boys at my house as well. They’ll LOVE these! Thanks so much for sharing! Have a great day!
So pretty! I love the x’s and o’s!
These are so cute, and they sound easy, but look impressive! Thanks for sharing!
Love how easy you made the recipe! I am having all kinds of visions of homemade gummies in my head!
Thanks for this recipe. Now I can make this yummy treats for my gluten-free baby, and control what goes into her candy. Less sugar could be done, i think, and still work out OK. And using applesauce and Jello is great – who doesn’t have that on hand? Great job, great idea and great post!! Thanks a bunch!
How adorable!! AND perfect for Valentines. I hope you’ll come by and share them at my Super Saturday Show & Tell party tomo… http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com xoxo~Ruthie
Safety alert!!!!!!!!!!!! Please do not put a glass pan in the fridge and then put boiling hot anything in it.
I have seen glass pans explode.
So true Nancy! You can let the mixture cool slight for a minute or so before pouring it in OR not refrigerate your dish if it’s glass.
Wow – I’m so glad I found this recipe (and your blog!). I can’t wait to make these for my nephews party. Could I use a silpat instead of the cooking spray? Or would that not work? Also, how many ozs/grms are the gelatin envelopes? I’m not in the U.S. so mine are probably different.
Thanks!!!
Thanks for visiting Abby! The silpat wouldn’t work only because it needs to go up the sides of the dish. The plain gelatin envelopes are 1 oz each. Good luck!
Thanks for the quick response – excited to make them. I’m thinking tomorrow :-)
I’ve never done anything like this. Absolutely adorable!
I found you from the Strut Your Stuff link up. Your gum drops looks delicious and perfect for Valentine’s. I just started a new Saturday Spotlight Linky Party on my blog this week, and would love to have you stop by and share! http://angelshomestead.com/saturday-spotlight-1/
Gummy hearts are my favorite Valentine treat – love the idea of making my own.
Would love for you to come over and share at my linky party Finding the Pretty & Delicious Linky Party.
http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/finding-the-pretty-delicious-linky-party-2/
I seriously need to make these. They look so fun and I hope they taste better than a store bought gummy.
This is an awesome idea. I love the recipe! So creative and they look yummy! I love gummy candy! I just started a new link party and would love for you to come over and share your post or any social media sites. Talkin’ About Thursday – http://designeddecor.com/talkin-about-thursday-link-party4/
DeDe@DesignedDecor
These look yummy! Can’t wait to try this recipe, I am a sucker for sweet treats!
I saw your Christmas gumdrops and loved them. So glad you did some for Valentine’s Day. Will definitely be making these with the kiddos!
Can the mix be refrigerated more than 3 hours? Let’s say overnight?
Absolutely!
These are beautiful!
GREAT IDEA and It’s so easy-to-make
Thank you for sharing :)
What a fun project to do with the kids ~ I just love how colorful they turned out! I pinned this and shared it on G+ – I am now following. Love your ideas and beautiful photography!
Can you add flavoring like peppermint or cinnamon? I love the cinnamon gummy hearts that are out this time of year and would love to be able to make my own.
The flavoring comes from the type of Jell-O that you use so I don’t think that would work. You could probably use 6 oz of unflavored gelatin in place of the Jello-O and add flavoring – cinnamon would be great!
Thanks, That is what I was thinking. Use the unflavored and add flavor and coloring.
Perfect!
Thank you so much for this recipe! We just finished making them and they turned out awesome! I will be sharing our creations and linking back to your fabulous recipe soon. Can they be stored in an airtight container until valentines day? Should we refrigerate them? Thanks again,
xo
Heather
These look so good!!!
Yum! These are so fun! I printed the recipe so I can make these with the littles…so excited.
These look so great! I think I’ll have a go at making them this week :)
So cute! My little girl would love to make these!
How pretty! I am pinning this to my kids board :) Thank you for the recipe.
If you don’t mind I wanted to invite you to come link up at Recipe Sharing Monday and share your favorite recipes. Have a super week. :)
Oh.. I wanted to make these as well!! I might have to try this recipe.
Such an easy recipe – they always turn out great!
I really could go for some of these right now since I’m a sucker for anything gummi :) They look delicious!
Thanks Megan!
So clever! So many ways to adapt these candies!
That’s what makes it such a great recipe!
Eeeek, I LOVE gum drops! They’re one of my favorite Christmas-time candies so I totally LOVE that you made them into homemade Valentine’s treats! So stinkin’ cute.
Thanks Hayley! You just made me blush ;)
These are so cool!! Have you tried sugar free jello, wondering if it would work?
No I haven’t but I bet it would work!
Oh my goodness Trish! These are so cute! I can’t wait to make these with the kiddos. Thanks for sharing.
Pinning and sharing on FB :) I can already see the Easter Eggs too :)
Michelle
These look delicious! How fun that you let your boys help out. :) I’ve never made gum drops, but I will be now! Thanks for sharing. Visiting from The Girl Creative.
~Emily @ Texas Life Blog
They love to help in the kitchen :) Thanks for stopping by Emily!
I’ve never made gumdrops before but it seems like the perfect time to start!
It’s super easy and the kids just love it :)
Excited to make these! Thanks for sharing.
Have fun Larissa!
Wow, these look so easy and yummy! We would love it if you would link up at our new linky party: Two Girls and a Party Hosted by:
Dana @ This Silly Girl’s Life
Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off
We hope to see you there!
Looks so yumm and so cute!!! I’m going to have to make me one!!
I’m hosting a Valentine Craft Party and would love for you to participate and link up to it!!!
Just follow the link…….http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2013/01/valentine-showoff-party.html
{hugs}
Marti
Those look so yummy. thanks for sharing. Visiting from Finished Friday! Would love for you to visit my blog. http://www.thememorynest.blogspot.com
Oh, I’m so excited to make this homemade treat with my boys to give out! Thx!
You’ll love them! Have a great weekend!
These are so cute and they look super easy to make. I love simple and effective! Thanks for sharing, I will have to try this one :-)
So cute and festive! I love gum drops too! thanks for sharing, Trish!
Love this idea! I pinned & shared on facebook. Thank you for sharing.
These look yum! Definitely will be giving them a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe. The cut outs and presentation are adorable!
Thank you so much!
Hi! Sucha nice recipe and a cute presentation!!
Could I use sheetgelatin instead of the powedered one?! And would you happen to know if one sheet = 1oz ?!
Thank you!
I’ve never tried it like that but if you do let me know how it turns out!
LOVE THIS! I’m going to use sugar free jello and truvia, that way it’ll be sugar free & gluten free. Thanks for sharing. I’m going to pin it!
That’s an awesome idea! Let me know how they turn out :)
YUM!! So creative! I’m going to put these on my list of crafts for my kiddos!
Awesome! Thanks Kristin!
These are the CUTEST little treats I’ve ever seen!! SO clever…JUST love these!
Thank you so much Sara!
I have an addiction to red gummy candies. Oh Nelly, now I’m really in trouble! These look amazing!!
At least you know what’s in these ;)
I never got a chance to make these at Christmas – hopefully now I will.
Yes you should Holly!
I have GOT to try these!
Do you need to add water into the mixture? How much water would be enough?
No water needed :)
These are so cute! I’ve never made gumdrops myself before, but now I really, really want to!
I would love it if you would link up at Martha Mondays, open every Monday morning through Wednesday night!
http://www.watchoutmartha.net
~Amanda
These are so pretty! I have never made homemade gumdrops before. What a wonderful idea. Thank you so much for sharing! Visiting via Somewhatsimple.com link party:)
They are super easy Shannon and just delicious!
I love these, Trish. I would have never thought to make homemade gumdrops…but they sound fantastic. And what homemade item isn’t better than store bought? :)
These gumdrops look amazing. I can’t wait to try these.
How far ahead can you make these? Have you tried storing them for any length of time? I want to do these for Valentine’s Day but can’t do them the night before.
I’ve stored them for up to two weeks Kris with no problems. Just store in an airtight container and you’re good to go!
Thank you. I will give them a try then!!
What a great idea! I like to bring treats to the children’s Sunday School class at my church, but it is hard to pick sometimes, due to various allergies. I think these would work!
Following from Strut Your Stuff Saturdays at Six Sisters’ Stuff. Congrats on the feature!
They totally would LuAnn! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Do you have to put these in the fridge after they dry out? And I also made them sugar free my Husband sampled he said they was very good. Thank You
Just put them in an airtight container so they don’t get hard. That’s awesome that they worked out sugar-free! Thanks for letting my know Cindy!
They look so cool! I bet my boys would LOVE having a go at making these. Thank you! :)
They’re really fun to make and even more fun to eat :) Enjoy!
Hello! I have a question about the unflavored gelatin. Are you using Knox brand? Should the recipe use 2 envelopes or 2 ounces? With Knox, I noticed the quantities don’t match up. In the 1 oz box, there are 4 envelopes and in the 32 oz box there are 8 envelopes. Two envelopes in either box would only be 1/4 ounce, so I’m wondering if the recipe uses only two envelopes (which would equal 1/2 ounce) or 8 envelopes (which would actually equal 2 ounces). Can you help me out? Thanks!! Can’t wait to try them!
Sorry for the confusion Emily! Each envelope is .25 ounces so you will be using a total of .5 ounces of unflavored gelatin. Hope that helps!
It does help! Thanks!!!
Just stopping by to invite you to my party here:
http://diycraftyprojects.com/2013/02/whatcha-work-up-wednesday-20.html
I also have a valentine themed link-up here:
http://diycraftyprojects.com/valentines-day-themed-link-up is an ongoing link-up.
Man, I love these! And the recipe sounds really yummy. I’ll definitely make these with my girl, she loves anything that involves cookie cutters ;-)
I just made these yesterday, and they were SO yummy and easy!!!!
Thanks for a great recipe and I LOVE your website!!
Found you through the Six Sisters.
Featured you today on Foto Friday! Come link up again today if you can! {since you always have new great stuff!!}
Thanks so much- you’re awesome!!
Hi:) I was hoping you can help me troubleshoot. I made these yesterday… two batches. The first batch I let it sit in the fridge for at least 3 hours. It was difficult to take out of the pan without parts sticking to each other as it came out of the pan… ruining most of the batch. It wasn’t as firm as it appears in your picture. And it wasn’t very easy to cut out without it losing it’s shape when taking out of the cutter…it was flimsy. For the second batch I let it sit overnight. It still wasn’t as firm as yours appears and not that much of a difference from the first batch… not so easy to take out of the pan.. to help it from sticking to each other as it did come out of the pan I sprinkled sugar directly on top as well on the wax paper, and then flipped it over. That worked but it still was not easy to work with when cutting. I did use a vegan unflavored gelatin (but Jell-O brand for the flavored jello). Do you think that could be the problem? Should I have added more of the gelatin (I used 2 tablespoons since 1 tablespoon = .25 oz). Maybe I didn’t boil long enough before pouring into the pan. What do you think could have been the problem?
I was able to get some decent cut outs. The few I got from the first batch firmed up decently.. but I’m not sure if firm enough since your’s appear much firmer in your pictures. Yours look perfect!
Oh.. the flavor is definitely yummy! At least that part worked out. :P
Well I’m glad they tasted good :) Let’s see…they should definitely not stick to the pan when you’re pulling out the sheet of JELL-O. Did you remember to spray your dish? It really should just peel off the bottom of your dish. It should be firm but flexible as well. I’m wondering if the vegan gelatin maybe isn’t as strong as the regular. I’d suggest maybe doubling the unflavored gelatin because that’s what really firms it all up. Let me know if you try again and what happens when you use more of the vegan gelatin – I didn’t even know they made that! Have a great week Maysem!
Thanks for the response Trish! I’m thinking it may be the vegan gelatin because I made marshmallows today and the batch didn’t look right when it was mixing… I have the batch sitting out right now so will have to wait and see how they turn out. This is the first time I use vegan gelatin. I’m going to try what you suggested and add more. I’ll let you know how it goes! I still plan on blogging about the gum drops… the few decent ones I was able to get..lol! I will be referencing your blog and recipe.
Thanks again!
Darn gelatin :) Well try again with more and see if that doesn’t help. I’m glad you got a few out of the batch :)