By: Jill Mills Posted: Nov 30, 2023 Updated: Dec 5, 2023

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Homemade Gumdrops are so fun to make using just a handful of ingredients. They’re the perfect Holiday treat and make great gifts. We love making this easy gumdrop recipe every year!

The Best Homemade Gumdrops

Homemade Gumdrops are delightful, chewy sweets, typically made using a combination of granulated sugar, flavored gelatin, apple sauce, and food coloring. These small, bright, sugar-coated candies are often shaped like a small dome but can be molded or cut into any desired shape. The beauty of making gumdrops at home is the ability to customize flavors and colors, making them a favorite treat to create during festive seasons, like Christmas.

We love making Christmas candy every year and some of our other favorites are Cinnamon Hard Candy, Martha Washington Candy, Snowman Truffles and Reese’s Peanut Butter Trees.

What You’ll Need

Sugar, Applesauce, and Gelatin are the main ingredients of the homemade gum drops.
Flavors: Strawberry Jello and Lime Jello create the flavors of the gumdrops and the color.
Mini Christmas Cookie Cutters: optional

How to Make Homemade Gumdrops

Combine the ingredients: Using a large saucepan, make the first batch using half of the ingredients. Use the strawberry Jello and mix it with sugar, applesauce, and unflavored gelatin. Let it sit for a minute. Over medium high heat, bring the mixture to a boil and stir constantly. Pour the mixture into a greased 11×7 or 9×13 pan. Repeat with the lime Jello. Refrigerate the pans for 3 hours.

Cut the Gumdrops: Using mini Christmas cookie cutters, cut the shapes and place them onto a parchment or wax paper-lined tray. Let the candies dry at room temperature for 8 hours or overnight.

Dip the Gumdrops: After a minimum of 8 hours of dry time take the remaining sugar and dip each gumdrop candy in, coating it all around with sugar.

Serve or package up for Holiday gifts. These little gumdrops are always such a huge hit at Christmas parties!

HINT: It is easier to cut the gumdrops into squares and use a metal spatula to pull the squares out and transfer onto a wax or parchment paper. This will be a sticky job but they will come out of the pan.

Tips and Tricks

Storage: Leftover gumdrops can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, maintaining their delightful chewiness. You can also store these gumdrops in the refrigerator to help them stay firm, especially during warmer months.

Flavor Variations: While this recipe utilizes strawberry and lime Jello, feel free to experiment with other flavors. You can swap these out for any flavor of jello you prefer, introducing a fun variety to your homemade candies.

Gift Idea: These gumdrops package nicely, making them a fantastic gift option. Just wrap them up in a cellophane bag tied with a festive ribbon, and you’ve got a sweet, thoughtful present.

Handling: Be warned that these candies are extremely sticky, and it may feel like they’re going to rip while removing them from the pan. Don’t be discouraged! Keep gently sliding your metal spatula under them, and they’ll eventually come out intact. Patience is key here!

Coloring: To achieve a more vibrant color, you can add in a drop or two of food coloring when mixing the jello and sugar mixture. However, avoid using too much as it may alter the taste.

Coating Options: Instead of dipping the gumdrops in sugar, you can also coat them with chocolate or even powdered sugar for a different twist.

Double Batch: If you’re planning on making a large batch of gumdrops, it may be helpful to double or even triple the recipe. Just make sure you have a large enough pan to accommodate the extra mixture.

More Easy Christmas Treats

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