Name: Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 11 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided; 1 ⅓ cups unsweetened applesauce; 6 ounces Jello (lime or cherry); 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (such as Knox)

There's something truly magical about making candy at home, especially when it’s a delightful treat like this Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe. The chewy texture, bright colors, and fresh flavors make these gumdrops so much better than store-bought ones. Plus, the sense of pride after crafting them yourself? Unbeatable!

A white square plate filled with several layers of red and green gummy candies shaped like stars, Christmas trees, candy canes, bells, and stockings. Each candy is covered with a fine layer of sugar crystals that sparkle in the light. The candies overlap in a random pile, showing the different bright and clear colors with a slightly translucent look. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a hint of a red cloth decorated with white snowflakes nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe really hits those nostalgic notes and makes the whole process approachable — I remember the first time I made these, watching the sugar and gelatin bubble up was like kitchen magic! It’s a treat that’s surprisingly simple but oh-so-rewarding.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples and some gelatin to get started.
Customizable Flavors: Use any flavor of Jello to make your gumdrops uniquely yours.
Fun to Shape: Cutting them into shapes with cookie cutters is a blast and makes them perfect for gifts or parties.
Soft, Chewy Texture: They’re perfectly tender and sweet, more enjoyable than store versions that can be tough or overly sticky.

A close-up image of a woman's hand holding a small, bright green star-shaped candy covered with granulated sugar, showing its rough texture. The candy's surface is sparkling with sugar crystals, making it look sweet and crunchy. In the blurry background, there are hints of other colorful candies in red and green colors on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe has a specific role — from setting the candy to providing sweetness and that signature fruity flavor. Understanding each one helps you feel confident and ready to tweak as you like.

Flat lay of a small mound of granulated sugar, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with smooth unsweetened applesauce, two vibrant rectangular packets of lime and cherry flavored gelatin powder (represented visually as vivid lime green and bright cherry red powders in small white bowls), and a small white bowl containing translucent unflavored gelatin sheets or powder, all arranged symmetrically and naturally, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps achieve that classic gumdrop texture; make sure it’s good quality for best results.
Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture and a bit of natural pectin for chewiness without overpowering sweetness.
Flavored Jello: This is your flavor and color powerhouse — pick your favorite fruit flavor and brand for vibrant taste.
Unflavored Gelatin: The key thickening agent that turns the mixture into that chewy gummy candy we all love.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe is how adaptable it is. I love switching up the Jello flavors depending on the season or occasion, and you can even play with shapes and coatings. Let your creativity shine!

Variation: I once made a batch using mixed berry and lemon Jello, which created a colorful rainbow platter perfect for summer picnics—your taste buds will thank you!
Dietary Modifications: If you need a vegan option, try using agar-agar instead of gelatin, though the texture will be a bit different.
Holiday Themes: Use red and green Jello and Christmas-themed cookie cutters to make lovely festive treats.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe

Step 1: Combine and Rest

Start by spritzing your baking dish with non-stick spray—trust me, this saves you so much frustration later. In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of sugar, applesauce, your chosen Jello flavor, and the unflavored gelatin. Give it about a minute to sit; this helps the gelatin absorb moisture evenly, avoiding clumps.

Step 2: Boil and Mix

Set your saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. This part is crucial – keep stirring to prevent burning and ensure the gelatin dissolves fully. Let it boil for exactly one minute; timing is everything here to get that perfect chew.

Step 3: Cool in the Dish

Pour the hot mixture into your prepared pan. Let it cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes before popping it in the fridge for at least 3 hours. This gives the candy time to set firmly so you can cut it without it falling apart.

Step 4: Shape Your Gumdrops

Once set, loosen the edges with a metal spatula—a little patience goes a long way here because the mixture is sticky but will come free. Transfer it onto a parchment-lined board sprinkled with sugar. Now, here’s the fun part: use mini cookie cutters, warmed slightly in hot water to prevent sticking, to cut out your shapes. If you don’t have cutters, a pizza cutter or sharp knife works perfectly too.

Step 5: Sugar Coating

Let your cut gumdrops sit out at room temperature overnight — this step helps them develop the perfect outer texture. Once they’re ready, roll them generously in the remaining sugar to give that classic sparkling coating. And voilà, fresh, chewy, flavorful gumdrops ready to enjoy!

Top Tip

From my kitchen experiments, I’ve learned some game-changing tips to make your Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe a smooth success, especially if it’s your first time tackling candy-making!

Non-stick Spray Saves the Day: Don’t skip spraying your pan generously — this is the easiest way to get your gumdrops out without tearing.
Cookie Cutters + Hot Water: If your cutters stick, dip them in hot water before each use — it creates a smooth cutting action and neat shapes.
Patience with Cooling: Allow the gumdrops to set fully in the fridge and then sit overnight after cutting — skipping this leads to sticky, hard-to-handle candies.
Metal Spatula Magic: When loosening the gelatin mix, a flexible metal spatula works best to gently pry without tearing.

How to Serve Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe

Homemade Gumdrop Candy - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love dusting my gumdrops with extra granulated sugar for that delicate sparkle, but sometimes I’ll mix in a little citric acid powder for a subtle tartness. Another favorite is rolling them in crushed freeze-dried fruit for an extra pop of flavor and texture.

Side Dishes

These homemade gumdrops pair surprisingly well with a simple cup of herbal or lightly sweetened tea. If you’re setting up a candy buffet or dessert table, try combining them with chocolate truffles or fresh fruit for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

One time, I arranged assorted-color gumdrops in little glass jars tied with festive ribbons as party favors — they were a huge hit! For holidays, themed shapes on pretty platters or wrapped in wax paper bundles look adorable and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to one week. I like to layer them between parchment paper sheets to prevent sticking.

Freezing

I’ve tried freezing them occasionally, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and sealed well. They thaw nicely at room temperature with minimal texture change, so it’s a handy option for making big batches ahead.

Reheating

If your gumdrops feel a bit firmer after refrigeration or freezing, just let them sit out at room temp for 10–15 minutes before enjoying — this softens them right up to that perfect chew.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use flavored gelatin instead of unflavored gelatin?

While flavored gelatin adds color and flavor, the unflavored gelatin provides the necessary firmness and chewy texture for gumdrops. Be sure to use unflavored gelatin in combination with flavored Jello for best results.

How do I prevent gumdrops from sticking to each other?

Coating gumdrops in granulated sugar after they've set is essential to keep them from sticking together. Also, storing them in a container lined with parchment paper helps maintain separation.

Can I make these gumdrops vegan?

Yes! To make vegan gumdrops, substitute unflavored gelatin with agar-agar powder. The texture will be slightly different—firmer and less chewy—but still delicious. Adjust the agar-agar amount according to package instructions.

What's the best way to cut the gumdrops into shapes?

Using mini cookie cutters warmed in hot water makes clean cuts and prevents sticking. If you don’t have cutters, a sharp knife or pizza cutter works well to slice the set mixture into neat squares or rectangles.

Final Thoughts

Creating this Homemade Gumdrop Candy Recipe has been one of my most delightful kitchen adventures. It’s simple, fun, and brings such a satisfying sense of accomplishment. I hope you’ll give it a try—there’s nothing quite like offering a jar of colorful, handmade gumdrops to family and friends. Trust me, you’re going to love making and sharing these little bites of joy!