Gumdrops Recipe
This Gumdrops Recipe is super easy and versatile for any occasion. Change the flavor for the holiday, and you have a sweet, chewy treat that everyone will love. They make perfect gifts too.
These Gumdrops are soft and sweet but not too sweet. I started with the same recipe I used for the Valentine’s Day Treats, and the secret…applesauce. Who would have known? Jello is the key to the different colors- so easy!
When I made the Valentine’s Day Gumdrops, I cut them with a cookie cutter into heart shapes. But this time I decided to keep them all the same and cut them into 1 inch squares. I didn’t have enough of the same size of pan to make all of the flavors, so I found some 13 x 9 x 1/2″ cookie sheets. The size was perfect.
I think they are perfect for any time of year. But I especially love all the flavors together. They would be a great Christmas gift for a teacher, neighbor or co-worker also. They would be super cute in little cellophane bags!
But of course, if you want to make red and green for Christmas, they would be awesome too!
Whatever color or shape you make (there are so many options in this cute set), they always taste great! Send us a picture if you try it!
Gumdrops Recipe
Soft, chewy and delicious. These Gumdrops can be made in any flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar {plus a little for rolling gum drops}
- 1 + 1/3 cups applesauce, unsweetened
- 2 small (3 oz) boxes Jello, any flavor
- 2 envelopes (4 teaspoons) unflavored gelatin {like Knox}
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Line 13x9 pan with parchment paper
- In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients, let stand 1 minute
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, boil for 1 minute
- Immediately pour into prepared pan
- Place in refrigerator for 3 hours or until firm
- Loosen sides from pan with a spatula
- Turn Gum Drops onto a cutting board
- Cut out gum drops using a knife dipped in hot water to cut squares or a cookie cutter
- Roll Gum Drops in extra sugar, set onto wax paper until slightly dry
- Store in an airtight container
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I love this recipe. I have made them four different times, and they always come out perfect. I did try an inexpensive gelatin mix from Walmart and that one I will not use again. The gummies stayed sticky, even after drying all night with the sugar on them. I get lots of complements when I make them. Thank you for this easy, fun recipe.
So glad you love it!
These are great! I made one batch with Jolly Rancher Cherry Jell-O on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it set in the fridge for an hour. Then poured another layer using lime Jell-O and let set fully.
They did not look great in the pan but once cut and rolled in sugar they looked like perfect red and green Christmas treats. And tasted like cherry limeade!
I had a little trouble peeling the edges off the parchment paper but the rest was smooth. It helps to sprinkle sugar on the cutting board, then peel the edges from the parchment paper, then flip onto the cutting board and remove the rest of the parchment paper. You can then sprinkle sugar on top to make them less sticky and easier to cut.
I’ll be making these again!
What a fun idea! Thanks for visiting and letting us know you tried the recipe!
Merry Christmas!
~Liz
Made these for Christmas gifts this year with Strawberry and Green Apple flavored jello. We added a couple of drops of green food coloring to give them a little darker green color. They were very easy! We did spray the parchment paper with cooking spray and left them overnight to gel. They came off the parchment paper very easily and I used a pizza cutter to cut them in squares. So fun and easy to make. My daughter and I can’t wait to try some other flavors!
Thank you for the recipe!
Do you store them in the frig. Or can they be leftvon the counter in the container?
Hi Karen, on the counter is fine as long as they are in an airtight container.
Happy Baking!
~Liz
I don’t understand the 11/3 applesauce. Is it 11 cups or 3 cups of applsauce?
Sorry Debi, we had to switch how we offered the printable recipe and it must have taken out the space. It’s 1 + 1/3 cups applesauce.
~Liz
Are these candy’s hard like real gum drops or are they soft like jello. I just made another recipe and they turned out softer then I wanted. Also my first recipe called for foil to be used in the cookie trays not parchment paper, plus you have to either spray or vegetable oil the foil. They tasted great but I need more consistency of a gum drop. Can anyone who has used this recipe verify if they are more like gum drops?
Hi Jack, these gumdrops are gummy, they are thicker than jello though. They are very similar to gumdrops you buy in the store.
~Liz
So disappointed! I knew removing the paper would be difficult given the comments and followed the tips but the paper tore off in little pieces plus it stuck like glue to my cutting board and I could only get it off by scraping off into the trash. I used a glass board so maybe that isn’t the way to go. I’m glad it worked for those who found success but I won’t try it again.
Hi Amy, I’m sorry you had trouble. What type of paper did you use, did you spray it with cooking spray? Also, sometimes if you cook the mixture too long, it becomes too sticky when it hardens.
~Liz
Could you use a non-stick spray on the parchment? It doesn’t need to rise so could you spray a glass baking dish? Or even the metal pans with non stick cooking spray? I’m thing it could possibly adjust flavor, but not to badly?!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! 🙂
Thank you for sharing!!
Hi Victoria, yes you can use the non-stick spray on the parchment paper. You also can put the gumdrops in a baking dish, however, it’s much easier to be able to lift the foil or parchment paper out of the pan and cut the gumdrops.
~Liz
Made these today and turned out perfect. A tip is to use non-stick foil to line your pan. My gumdrops just pealed right off, no sticking. I used a pizza cutter to cut them So easy.
Thanks for recipe.
So excited you liked them Linda! Thanks for letting me know!
~Liz
My hubby loves those orange slices you buy in the store. I used your recipe with orange Gelatin and they turned out tasting better than the store bought one, so I made a batch with cherry gelatin and now am off to make one with lemon and lime gelatin. They are absolutely delicious, so much better than the store bought ones and probably healthier to eat than those ! Thank you so many ties over for sharing this easy and delicious recipe!
So glad you liked the recipe Audrey! Thanks for letting us know.
~Liz