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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Cindy Graves says
This is a silly question. What is the liquid that come to a boil. Is the Jell-O the powder or the kind that comes in the cups?
Jen says
This looks like a cool recipe. Is there a vegetarian option for the jello?
Naheed mann says
I’m from England
What is jello, what would we call it in the U.K.
From
Naheed
Crashlander says
You would call it Jelly in the UK.
Ann Thomas says
We call it jelly. Comes in cubes or powdered depending on brand and whether there is sugar in it.
Sara says
Gelatin dessert.
Dana Muller says
I make goodie packages for Christmas and am wondering if I can make them ahead. If so how early and how should I store them.
Marnie says
Silly question I am sure, but when working with sugar I know quantities sometimes need to be spot on… to get the reds and greens, did you make a complete double batch (just swapping out the jelly colours) or did you do a half batch of each and that has worked out okay with halving the sugar etc . Thanks for your time, these look so fun. My jelly made child and sweet treat loving inlaws will love this.
Kerry says
How well do these keep? I’m wondering how far ahead I can make them and how to store them for gift giving
Patricia G Morris says
These are so pretty. Are they like Jigglers that you make with Jello?
Debby says
Do you have any idea how I could turn these non-alcoholic gummies into gummies with vodka or some other alcohol in them? Kind of making gummy shots? Thanks
Tammy Souther says
Could you use a silicon mold instead of cookie cutters?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I bet you could Tammy! I haven’t tried but I don’t see why not. They are pretty sticky though 🙂
Clarice Reardon says
how would I go about making these in a mint flavour in the green colour? I live in Australia and we have a universal jelly flavour where I can make it to whatever i want the flavour to be. i have used for jelly shots previously, would that work? and could i use naughty flavours for adults? like baileys and creme de month?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This particular recipe is flavored with the Jell-O. You need a recipe that is only using unflavored gelatin. I suppose you could use equal amounts and add your own flavoring?
Auntiepatch says
After step 4 using the first color it’s just repeat with the same ingredients for the second color. Correct?
Cindy D says
I wanted to say that I made these for my Christmas cookie gifts as a filler last year. I thought it was going to be a flop, but it wasn’t. You have to be patient and let the rolled sugar take time to adhere to the gumdrops. I let them sit in the sugar and rolled them some more on occasion until they became not sticky. Very good. I also used my round cylinder Apple corer as my cutter, so
They easily popped out as I cut them. They looked like the gumdrops we know and love. Enjoy!
Karen says
Awesome. Kids of all ages in our family will love them.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Karen!