These Homemade Gumdrops are the perfect treat to make for friends and family during the holidays! Made with just a handful of ingredients – including applesauce – this easy gumdrop are sure to become a holiday tradition! A Christmas favorite with our family!Check out these Christmas favorites too: Buttermilk Pecan Pralines, Martha Washington Candies, and Christmas Peppermint Patties.
Homemade Gumdrops
Making homemade candies for Christmas is the highlight of the season for me. We love making fudge, divinity, and all sorts of treats! This easy recipe for homemade gumdrops is sure to be a new family favorite for you too!
This recipe is not only easy, but perfect for kids that want to help out. Now, you’re going to want to make two batches so that you have contrasting colors. I, obviously, chose red and green for Christmas, but any combination of colors you like will work.
You’re going to love how easy these gumdrops are to make! It’s like making Jell-O and then dipping them in sugar – so simple yet so delicious!
What Ingredients Do I Need For Gumdrops
You’ll need the six-ounce Jell-O boxes as well as unflavored gelatin to make the gumdrops. The best part of making the gumdrops is the leftover tidbits after cutting out the shapes. I cut them down into small pieces, roll in sugar and the boys and I have been enjoying the “scraps” and saving the pretties for gifts 🙂
- Applesauce
- Sugar
- Jello
- Unflavored Gelatin
- Lemon Juice
What Else Do I Need?
You will need a set of small, metal cookie cutters to cut out the gumdrops.
I like to have an assortment of cellophane treat bags on hand during the holiday season. It makes giving gifts that much more special. I think they look so cute!
The gumdrops do need to sit out overnight, or for about 8 hours before they are rolled in sugar so make sure you calculate that into your time.
Store the gumdrops in an airtight container or package up for small gifts. Teachers really LOVE these gumdrops!
We are OBSESSED with candy making during the holidays. Make sure to give some of our favorite a try!
- Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls
- Chocolate Covered Mint Patties
- Peppermint Mocha Fudge
- Maple Nut Fudge
- Coconut Macaroons
I hope you give this easy recipe a try this year! Merry Christmas!
How To Make Homemade Gumdrops
Homemade Gumdrops
Ingredients
- 2½ cups granulated sugar divided
- 1½ cups applesauce - no sugar added
- 6 oz Jello {i.e. cherry, lime, etc.}
- ½ oz unflavored gelatin 2 envelopes
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Combine 2 cups sugar, applesauce, Jell-O, unflavored gelatin and lemon juice in a large saucepan. Stir to combine. Let stand for 1 minute.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly.
- Boil for 1 minute and then immediately pour into prepared baking dish.
- Refrigerate until firm - about three hours should do it. I left mine in overnight.
- Cover a large cutting board with parchment paper and sprinkle with sugar.
- Loosen the sides of the gelatin with a spatula and invert onto parchment paper.
- Use small, sharp cookie cutters to cut out gumdrops. If needed, you can dip the cutters into hot water first. You may need to periodically rinse off the cutters as well to keep them clean.
- Leave the cutout gumdrops on top of the sugar-coated parchment paper for about 8 hours or until just slightly sticky.
- Roll the gumdrops in the remaining sugar and store in an airtight container.
Video
Nutrition
More easy holiday treats!
Outrageous Peanut Butter M&M’s Fudge
Easy Christmas Peppermint Patties
For all apple recipes, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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melissa says
Can this be made with sugar free jello and sugar be substituted for splenda?
maria says
i would love to join your email subscription again, please resign me on…
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s awesome Maria! You can sign up here: http://mad.ly/signups/105269/join
Jackie says
I really liked the Gumdrop Recipe but I have had a heck of a time on your site. I went to your vintage recipes and if my mouse even moved close to one of the ads it would open theme. It was really hard to get down to this area to write you. You have recipes labeled as vintage and I was wondering what years you consider vintage? A lot of the recipes I saw were Mid to late 50’s and upwards. I was just wondering because I am doing a historical home economics course and I will not be putting anything after 1949. I did see some recipes that I will want to try but I don’t consider them vintage. But then again If I considered them vintage I would have to call myself vintage because I was born in 1951.
Thanks for the help with the dating of your recipes.
Jackie says
I want to apologize for the comments I made. Your recipe is the gumdrop recipe and not the raspberry filled chocolates. Is my face red. One thing I said maybe I should take and admit to. I am vintage!!! Making mistakes like that is not something I usually do. I had no problems with your site either. I love it and will be coming back again and again.
Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa. Is my face red.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
No apology necessary Jackie! Mistakes happen 🙂 So glad you stopped by!
AnnaGee says
I tried making these today and when I turned these onto a cutting board they stuck like glue… Almost impossible to get off… Luckily it was a very bendy cutting board and with a metal spatula I was able to mostly pry it off. I saved most of it by putting sugar down before turning them out again. Have you had this issue? Did I do something wrong?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They are very sticky but NOT that sticky 🙂 I would suggest maybe sprinkling some sugar on your surface before inverting onto the cutting board next time. That should do the trick!
Pauline Molinari says
Yummo! Thanks for sharing on the Monday Funday link party!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Pauline!