Christmas candy is on the way with these Christmas gumdrops! These homemade gumdrops are made with applesauce, strawberry jello, lime jello, and sugar. Simple, easy, and bursting with sweetness in each bite.
These holiday gumdrops are a family-favorite candy that is family-friendly. We love to make these and serve them up and snack on them for family game night, movie night or have on the dessert table for parties this season.
Whip up a batch of my Lofthouse Christmas balls or this no-bake reindeer crack snack mix. Both are so good and bursting with sweet flavors in each bite.
What are gum drops?
Gum drops are a delicious candy that is soft, chewy, and coated in sugar. Gumdrops are made with fruity flavors, gelatin, and coloring and flavoring.
These can be shaped in any way you want, colorful shapes, etc. These gum drops here are made for Christmas but you can use this recipe and shape any way you would like.
Reasons You Will Love This Gum Drop Recipe
- All you need are a few simple pantry ingredients.
- Customize with types of cookie cutter shapes as well as flavors of gum drops.
- Great candy for Christmas that is so easy to make.
- Easy to make and great for packing in a Christmas candy tin to gift or snack on through the season.
Ingredients
Jello – Lime and strawberry jello are what I used for this recipe.
Gelatin – To help the jello set up even more you will reach for gelatin to help create that gummy texture.
Sugar – Granulated sugar is what you will use for sweetening the gummies but also coating the gummies in once done.
Applesauce – Jarred applesauce is going to give you a gummy texture but also adds sweet and tart flavors to the gummies.
Variations to Recipe
Flavor of Jello – You can use any flavor of jello you would like. Cherry, orange, grape, blue raspberry, etc. I went with red and green colors to match the Christmas theme. But use any flavor of jello as you would like.
Powdered Sugar – Instead of coating the gummies in granulated sugar consider dusting them with powdered sugar for a less chewy texture.
Shape of Gummies – Use any small cookie cutters you would like to create fun designs for the gumdrops. Feel free to get creative and pick and choose the look to fit your preference.
Tips for Making Gum Drops
Unflavored Gelatin
This is the key to getting the right texture to the gum drops. Make sure that you use it in addition to the jello.
Coloring
If you want a bolder color, add a drop or two of food coloring in addition to the colored jello. Create whatever colors you would like.
Mold or cookie-cutter
You can use a candy mold or you can opt for some small cookie cutters to create fun-shaped gum drops to create whatever shapes you want. I find that the cookie cutters are a bit cleaner for making.
Rolling in Sugar
You add sugar to the outside of the gumdrops so that it will prevent all the gummies from sticking together. You want to make sure all sides are coated to prevent sticking.
Allow Gumdrops to Set Up
Make sure you place the pans in the fridge for a few hours to ensure you get the right texture to the gumdrops. Also, ensure you have wax or parchment paper under the pan so they don’t stick.
Storing Gumdrops
You can store the gumdrops in an airtight container for up to 7 days. These are great for packing in gift tins for dessert boxes for loved ones.
FAQs
Can I use any flavor of Jello?
Yes, you can use any flavor of jello for this recipe. Just buy whatever flavors you want and make as many different flavors of jello gumdrops as you would like.
How do I store Jello gumdrops?
Storing the gumdrops at room temperature is key. Now if you go to stacking I do find that wax paper between layers is going to help prevent the gumdrops from sticking together.
Can I adjust the sweetness of Jello gumdrops?
Use less sugar to lighten up the sweetness of the gumdrops. Or use the full amount or a bit more for a sweeter gumdrop. This recipe is versatile in that.
More Christmas Candy Recipes
Christmas Gumdrops
Ingredients
- 5 cups sugar divided
- 2 2/3 cups applesauce divided
- 2 packages 3 ounces each strawberry jello
- 2 packages 3 ounces each lime jello
- 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin divided
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups sugar, 1 ⅓ cups applesauce, 2 packages of strawberry jello and 2 packages unflavored gelatin.
- Let this mixture stand for 1 minute.
- Next over medium heat bring the mixture to a boil stirring constantly.
- Boil the mixture for one minute.
- Immediately pour the mixture into a greased 11×7 or 9×13 pan.
- Repeat these streps with another 2 cups of sugar, 1 ⅓ cups sugar, 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin and lime jello.
- Place both pans into the fridge for 3 hours.
- I find it is easier to cut the mixture 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.
- Using some mini christmas cookie cutters cut out your shapes and place onto a parchment or wax paper lined tray.
- Let the candies dry at room temperature 8 hours or overnight.
- After a minimum of 8 hours dry time take the remaining 1 cup of sugar and dip each gumdrop candy in, coating it all around with sugar.
- Serve!
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