Homemade Gumdrops
Perfect for Valentine’s Day treats, these Homemade Gumdrops are super easy, soft and taste great!
Wouldn’t your Valentine love getting some of these Homemade Gumdrops? They also make great gifts for neighbors, friends, co-workers, etc. The gumdrops can also be made in a variety of colors, like the Gumdrops Recipe that I made during the Christmas holiday.
The beauty of this gumdrops recipe is that you can change the flavor simply by changing the flavor of the Jello. To make them special for Valentine’s Day treats, I cut them into heart shapes using the mini cookie cutter from the Romance Set, the same ones I used for the Valentine’s Cupcakes with the Hearts in the center.
After the Gumdrops set up in the refrigerator, loosen sides from pan with a spatula and turn them onto a cutting board. I found it easiest to cut them this way.
I had several comments on the Gumdrops Recipe about them being sticky. Yes, they are sticky and you may need some patience to remove them from the pan. Here are some tips –
- Use parchment paper in the pan, lightly spray it with cooking spray. Be sure to leave a couple inches of parchment paper laying over the edge so you can lift them from the pan easily.
- Use a knife dipped in very hot water to loosen the gumdrops
- If you are using a cookie cutter to make the heart shapes, dip the cookie cutter in hot water
- Do not use wax paper
- These will taste different than store bought, the ingredients are different. However, they are soft and delicious, in my opinion.
Won’t these be perfect for teacher gifts? Or even as classroom treats? I found these little treat boxes in the dollar section at Target, there were maybe 4 or 5 in a package. Another fun classroom treat are the Valentine’s Day Treat Bags that I shared, did you see them? They go together in about 15 minutes and there is a FREE Printable too!
I always loved helping out in the classroom for parties. Are you sending in Valentine’s Day treats with your kiddos? Or maybe the office?
You may also like the different flavors in this Gumdrops Recipe!
Homemade Gumdrops
Soft, chewy and delicious. These Gumdrops can be made in any flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar {plus a little for rolling gum drops}
- 11/3 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, lightly spray paper with cooking spray
- 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
- Life parchment paper from pan and place onto a cutting board
- Cut out gum drops using a knife dipped in hot water to cut squares or use a cookie cutter
- Roll Gum Drops in extra sugar, set onto wax paper until slightly dry
- Store in an airtight container
Gum drops were my mom’s favorite. These make me think of her. She would have loved a carton full of these, of course so would I. The look delish and so festive!
I tried this recipe for Christmas and the gumdrops were sooooo good, planning to make them again for Valentine’s Day for my grandson’s kindergarten class.
I would love to make these for Valentine’s but The gelatin I use comes in a container. Could you tell me how much gelatin would equal the two envelopes required? Thanks.
Hi Angie, each envelope has 2 teaspoons so you would need 4 teaspoons in this recipe.
Happy Baking!
This may be a dumb questions but, do you follow the directions on the box of jello? you said bring it to a boil, was wondering how if no water involved. thanks
Hi Christine, no water is necessary, the applesauce and lemon juice create the liquid part, the mixture is very thick.
Happy Baking!
~Liz
going to have to make some. it seems so easy.
Loving what you have posted!
I can’t wait to make these 🙂
oh yummmmmy! Those are beautiful too! Would you please share this with our readers for Fun Stuff Fridays? http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/02/14-days-of-valentines-fun-stuff-fridays_10.html
Those look fabulous!!
Wow! These are super!!! I may try to healthy them up one more step if I can…I made jello without the boxed stuff, so maybe…maybe. Wish me luck. If not, I”m headed to the store for some jello! 🙂
YUM! These look so good! And homemade is always better. I love that it’s not super complicated too. I will have to try this very soon 🙂 Thanks!
OMG these LOOK AMAZING!!!!!!! I LOVE gumdrops!!! Where do you live? can I come pick some up?
Totally making these… So stinkin’ cute!!
Thank you! These look lovely, yummy and homemade which is my favourite kind of treat! Thanks and have a lovely week end 🙂