Homemade Valentine’s Day Gumdrops are made with applesauce and JELL-O – super easy and super yummy!
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I love making holiday-specific treats and we had so much fun making our Christmas Gumdrops 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?
Valentine’s Day Homemade Gum Drops
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
For all dinner recipes, go HERE.
For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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Have a great day!
DessertForTwo says
I made these today, and they’re perfect! I halved the recipe because, well, I’m a small dessert gal, and they turned out great! 😉
I’ve always wanted a recipe for homemade gummies that was easy and at least had some plain gelatin and something slightly healthy, like applesauce. What a great recipe!!
One word of warning: don’t be like me and coat your pan with coconut oil. Use actual cooking spray. Mine stuck, but I put the plate on top of the dishwasher while it was running and the coconut oil slightly melted. This is entirely my fault, the recipe says to use cooking spray. Don’t skimp!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Mary says
Once the mixture boils, a bubbly froth appears on the surface. How did you get yours to look so flawless?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
If it gets frothy on top Mary, you can just skim it off with a spoon. Have a great weekend!
Sandie says
Hi, first time to your page/post thingie lol my little guy (he’s 4) is so excitied, he too loves to help well his version anyway 😉 these look great (we also are gonna try the strawberry choc mm cookies) how long do these last on the counter or do I freeze them? Did you use powder sugar on the sides? You have a special touch they look awesome. Thanks for the pictures and easy to read/follow directions, I look forward to looking over all the stuff on here ( what is this pinning thing I see so much about ? )
Yvonne @ Dress This Nest says
Jelly candies are my favorite! It might be dangerous to have a recipe where I can make it myself!!! I am definitely going to give this a try though. I LOVE baking/cooking with my little one.
Hannah Tomlinson says
is there anything you could replace the sugar with?, honey, stevia, splenda?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Hannah! I haven’t tried any of those substitutions but if you give them a try let me know how it turns out!
Maysem says
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. 😛
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
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!
Maysem says
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!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
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 🙂
Meg @ BigRedClifford says
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!!
Karissa says
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.
Anna-Leigh says
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 😉
Peggy says
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.
Emily says
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!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
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!
Emily says
It does help! Thanks!!!
Seaweed & Raine says
They look so cool! I bet my boys would LOVE having a go at making these. Thank you! 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They’re really fun to make and even more fun to eat 🙂 Enjoy!
Cindy says
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
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
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!
LuAnn Braley says
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!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
They totally would LuAnn! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kris says
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.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
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!
Kris says
Thank you. I will give them a try then!!