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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Jean Horrocks says
Could these be made with stevia instead of sugar
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I haven’t tried that Jean but would love know how they turn out if you give it a go!
Liz says
Can you pour the mix into molds instead of using cookie cutters?
sheila ingram says
looks cool! I am in the uk, where do i get Jello. Also, what is the purpose of the Applesauce
Joy says
Question, 6 oz of jello? I have one box that says .3 oz. do I need 18 boxes?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Are you sure that it says .3 oz? The small boxes are 3 oz, the large are 6 oz.
Irene says
I made these last night with my kids and they are perfect. You dont need to add any extra water.I followed the recipe and they came out great and are easy to make.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Irene! Merry Christmas!
Ximena says
Please advise if we disolve jello with water first or we only use the apple sauce and lemon juice as liquid. Thank you
Irene says
These are so cute! I followed the recipe. You do not need to any extra water. They taste great and the texture is perfect.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
No water needed!
Tonya says
Do you have to use applesauce?
Ms Mango says
This recipe was super fun to follow and complete with my two youngest ones. Everyone says they taste amazing and like you, we cut up the scraps and saved those for home and the ‘real’ gumdrops for gifting. The only slight change we made was leaving the finished cut outs with sugar out on parchment over night to dry out a bit. The mixed up pieces of scrap we sugard earlier still seemed too jello like and moist afterwards and we want ours to have that slightly chewy exterior. Will see how that helps before packaging them up. Thank you so much, this recipe is a winner!
Judy says
can you use sugar free jello with this recipe
Ida Cribb says
Do I need to keep in refrigerator?
When finished using cutters and covering sugar. It seemed my gum drops were loosing their firmness and becoming slightly gooey. Is this normal
Pam says
I can’t get off the page. Chrome just keeps going back
Ida Cribb says
Do I need to keep in refrigerator?
When finished using cutters and covering sugar. It seemed my gum drops were loosing their firmness and becoming slightly gooey. Is this normal I got between 4 & 5 doz
Jaimie says
My brother in law is challenged and the one big thing he always asks for is spiced gumdrops. I would love to make these for him, but how could I flavor them differently?
Tami says
Good morning. The gum drops are so cute my kids will love doing them. Can you tell me how long they last? Do they get moldy?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you Tami! A couple weeks at least, and no, they don’t get moldy 🙂
Sarah O'Brien says
I made the homemade gumdrops using your recipe. They are amazing! I am wondering what the shelf life is for these gumdrops?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I’ve kept them for a month of longer Sarah so – quite awhile 🙂 Definitely you can make now and save for Christmas. I actually have a batch chilling in the fridge right this second!
Ann says
Hi Trish!
I love Homemade Gumdrops, I want one of these right now!!!