Description
Delicious homemade gumdrops made with applesauce, gelatin, and flavored Jello, coated in sugar for a sweet, chewy treat perfect for candy lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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)
Instructions
- Prepare Dish: Spray an 11×7 or 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of granulated sugar, unsweetened applesauce, Jello, and unflavored gelatin. Let the mixture stand for 1 minute to hydrate the gelatin.
- Cook Mixture: Bring the saucepan to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to dissolve all ingredients. Boil the gelatin mixture for 1 full minute to activate the gelatin.
- Pour and Cool: Immediately pour the hot gelatin mixture into the prepared greased dish. Allow it to cool at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Refrigerate: Place the dish in the refrigerator and chill for 3 hours or until the mixture is firm and set.
- Prepare for Cutting: Line a large cutting board with parchment paper and generously sprinkle it with granulated sugar to prevent sticking.
- Remove from Dish: Use a metal spatula to carefully loosen the gumdrop mixture from the sides and bottom of the dish. Transfer the gelatin slab onto the sugared parchment paper either whole or cut into 6-8 large pieces for easier handling.
- Cut Shapes: Use mini cookie cutters to cut out gumdrop shapes and place them back on the sugared parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cure Gumdrops: Let the cut gumdrops sit at room temperature overnight, or for at least 8 hours, to develop their chewy texture.
- Coat with Sugar: Put the remaining ½ cup granulated sugar into a shallow bowl and roll each gumdrop in the sugar until fully coated.
Notes
- Store gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- To make red and green gumdrops, prepare the recipe twice using lime Jello for green and cherry Jello for red.
- Heat cookie cutters in hot water before cutting the gumdrops to prevent sticking and ensure clean cuts.
- If you don't have cookie cutters, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice gumdrops into small square pieces.
- The gelatin mixture is sticky; use a metal spatula to carefully slide underneath and help transfer it without tearing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gumdrop
- Calories: 25 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
