So, we are a little bit obsessed with gummy candy in my house. Well, by “we” I actually mean my husband who loves it enough for two, or maybe three, people. We had a candy table at our wedding reception and made sure it was well-stocked with all the gummy candy varieties necessary for the event. Recently I started wondering if it was possible to make my own gummy candy, or if it was the type of candy process that involves beakers, candy thermometers, and a physics degree from Harvard to figure out. I tested out a few of the easiest recipes I could find, and thankfully, it is totally possible to easily make gummy candy at home—no degree required! Some of the recipes weren’t flavorful enough and some didn’t quite have the right texture for me (if there’s not enough gelatin, it feels like eating a Jell-o jiggler rather than a gummy). But perseverance and many boxes of Jell-o later, I found a way that totally gets the job done.
Gummy Candy (makes 2 trays of large letter gummies)
Slightly adapted from Skip to My Lou’s Homemade Gummi Candy
2/3 cup cold water
4 packets of unflavored gelatin
2 boxes of flavored Jell-o (3 oz boxes)
silicon molds (I used this alphabet tray and lip tray)
Optional:
Kool-Aid packet of same flavor for a more intense flavor
sugar
citric acid
In a glass measuring cup, start with 2/3 cup cold water. Slowly pour in your unflavored gelatin while stirring briskly so the gelatin doesn’t clump together. Once the gelatin is poured, add your Jell-o packets while, again, continuing to stir the mixture.
Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes until it starts to thicken. It will kind of be the consistency of jelly once it has set up a bit.
Boil some water in a pot. Bring the water down to a simmer and place the glass measuring cup in the water. I found that it was really easy to burn the mixture when it was poured directly into a pan, so doing it this way protects the mixture and allows it to heat up slowly. Let the mixture warm and thin out over about 5 minutes (stirring often) until it’s much thinner and more liquid-y (it should be more like a syrup).
Remove the measuring cup and pour the liquid into your molds (use a pot holder if the handle is too warm). Place the gummies in the fridge. They should be set in about 20 minutes. Gently stretch the silicon mold in opposite directions around the gummy before pushing the mold inside out to remove.
Now you can either leave your gummies plain, or you can mix together a little citric acid into sugar and dip the gummies into that for a sour gummy twist. For some reason the sour sugar will eventually start to melt on top of the gummy. So I would dip them right before you eat them.
If the flavor of the Jell-o isn’t intense enough for you, add a small Kool-Aid packet in a similar flavor when you add the Jell-o to the mixture. Keep the gummies in an airtight container in the fridge and they should last for up to a week. I love that I can now make my own gummy candy and personalize it for whatever occasion is coming up. Plus, with the abundance of silicon molds, you can create gummies out of any mold you can find and choose your own color and flavor. If you ask me, I think that’s pretty…well…sweet! 😉 xo. Laura
Credits// Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions.
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Ingredients
- ⅔ cup cold water
- 4 packets of unflavored gelatin
- 2 boxes of flavored Jell-o (3 oz boxes)
- silicon molds (I used this alphabet tray and lip tray)
Optional:
- Kool-Aid packet of same flavor for a more intense flavor
- sugar
- citric acid
Instructions
- In a glass measuring cup, start with 2/3 cup cold water. Slowly pour in your unflavored gelatin while stirring briskly so the gelatin doesn't clump together. Once the gelatin is poured, add your Jell-o packets while, again, continuing to stir the mixture. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes until it starts to thicken. It will kind of be the consistency of jelly once it has set up a bit.
- Boil some water in a pot. Bring the water down to a simmer and place the glass measuring cup in the water. I found that it was really easy to burn the mixture when it was poured directly into a pan, so doing it this way protects the mixture and allows it to heat up slowly. Let the mixture warm and thin out over about 5 minutes (stirring often) until it's much thinner and more liquid-y (it should be more like a syrup).
- Remove the measuring cup and pour the liquid into your molds (use a pot holder if the handle is too warm). Place the gummies in the fridge. They should be set in about 20 minutes. Gently stretch the silicon mold in opposite directions around the gummy before pushing the mold inside out to remove.
- Now you can either leave your gummies plain, or you can mix together a little citric acid into sugar and dip the gummies into that for a sour gummy twist. For some reason the sour sugar will eventually start to melt on top of the gummy. So I would dip them right before you eat them.
Will using flavored gelatin affect it? I’m so excited to try this!
These should be called Gummerman candies.
this is SO cute!
xx nikki
www.dream-in-neon.com
I have been wanting to try making gummies. I really appreciate your tips!
This is so fun! I love the idea of customizing a message for a birthday or special event!
Laura
http://laurahager.blogspot.com
I was wondering this same thing!
Laura
http://laurahager.blogspot.com
Ok we will try it and report back. 🙂
These look so cute! I love that we could make whatever shapes we want 🙂
Navellina
My birthday is next week and I think I will be using this! Except putting some extra ingredients in them…
www.chelseythornton.com
That’s another really good way to turn a sweet snack into something you really know “ingredient”-wise.
Love it!
Lily
This looks so good! I was just wondering how many grams would you say is in “a box” of gelatin? Not being from U.S. I was wondering whether our box size is the same as yours 🙂
This is so cute! http://www.hannamarielei.com
I am so trying this. I’ve got a few Jello packages in my kitchen that I don’t use and have no idea what to do with. Now I do!
http://www.xfallenmoon.com/
I thought to guys are vegetarian, surprised that you are using gelatin?
Hmm, I don’t know! Adding more liquid should be fine if you adjust the gelatin to a bit more, but I don’t know if the alcohol would change it. Try it!
Laura 🙂
If you want to use a fruit puree, just add them in with some liquid fruit juice at the beginning and mix the gelatin into that 🙂
Laura
Great idea!
Check out my new blog 🙂
http://ivanasonlinediary.blogspot.com
shall be trying this for sure!
www.wonderlandclothing.com
Super cute for the kiddos! Letters, numbers, animal shapes ~ fun and yummy learning tool!
Omg! Going to make this for sure!