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Homemade Gumdrops Recipe

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Homemade Gumdrops are a delightful and colorful treat, made with simple ingredients like Jell-O, applesauce, and gelatin. These chewy candies are easy to prepare, requiring just boiling on the stovetop and chilling until firm. Perfect for candy lovers who want a customizable flavor and an all-natural alternative to store-bought gumdrops.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 2½ cups granulated sugar (divided)
  • 1½ cups applesauce (no sugar added)
  • 6 oz Jell-O (cherry, lime, or any preferred flavor)
  • ½ oz unflavored gelatin (2 envelopes)
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Dish: Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside while you prepare the gumdrop mixture.
  2. Mix Ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups of granulated sugar, the applesauce, Jell-O powder, unflavored gelatin, and lemon juice. Stir well to mix the ingredients evenly and let the mixture stand for 1 minute to hydrate the gelatin.
  3. Heat Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning and ensuring all ingredients dissolve properly.
  4. Boil Briefly: Once boiling, continue to boil the mixture for exactly 1 minute while maintaining constant stirring to achieve the correct candy consistency.
  5. Pour and Chill: Immediately pour the hot mixture into the prepared baking dish. Then refrigerate until completely firm, about three hours or longer if preferred, such as overnight.
  6. Prepare Cutting Surface: Cover a large cutting board with parchment paper and generously sprinkle with sugar to coat the gumdrops after cutting.
  7. Invert Gelatin Slab: Use a spatula to loosen the edges of the gelatin slab from the pan, then invert it onto the sugar-coated parchment paper so the gumdrops can be cut easily.
  8. Cut Gumdrops: Use small, sharp cookie cutters to cut out gumdrop shapes. To make cutting easier, dip the cutters in hot water before use and rinse them periodically to keep them clean.
  9. Dry the Gumdrops: Leave the cut gumdrops on the sugar-coated parchment paper for about 8 hours or until they feel just slightly sticky to the touch to achieve the right texture.
  10. Coat and Store: Roll the dried gumdrops in the remaining sugar to prevent sticking and enhance sweetness. Store the gumdrops in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • For best results, use no-sugar-added applesauce to control the overall sweetness.
  • Choose your preferred Jell-O flavor to customize the taste and color of your gumdrops.
  • Dipping cookie cutters in hot water helps create clean cuts without sticking.
  • Ensure the gumdrops dry properly on sugar to avoid them sticking together in storage.
  • The candy can be stored for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/homemade-gumdrops-recipe/