Are you looking for a healthier alternative to store-bought gummy candy? I loved gummy candies growing up, but the ones found in the store are often filled with food dyes, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup. Or maybe it’s not about ingredients for you and you are just looking for a fun way to make a favorite snack at home. Either way, this is the perfect recipe for you!
Gummy candies are easy to make at home and are made with just three simple, natural, and healthy ingredients. Made with real fruit and natural sweeteners, these gummy snacks are the perfect pick-me-up sweet treat between meals. You can pour them into a 9×13 pan for easy pouring and cutting or get fun-shaped silicone molds and make your own gummy bears!
Homemade Gummy Candy Recipe
Gummy candies were some of my favorite snacks growing up. Gummy worms, bears, and especially Swedish Fish. As we started embarking on our health journey, I began to search for ways to make some of my favorite snacks without using food dyes and high fructose corn syrup. Not only do they contain natural ingredients, but they are also made with beef gelatin which provides a boost of protein to help keep you fuller, longer.
This is one of our favorite snacks during the warmer weather months since it is light and refreshing for a warmer day. Not only that but they store and travel well, so it is the perfect snack for taking on the road.
Why You Will Love Homemade Gummy Candy
Nutritious: Made from real fruit, natural sweetener, and beef gelatin; this recipe has protein to balance out the natural sugars. This balance will keep your blood sugar from spiking while still providing a sweet treat between meals.
Versatile: You can use any combination of fruit juice and sweetener according to your preference and what you have on hand. You can even mix and match fruit juices if you like.
Simple: With only 3 ingredients and very little hands on time, this recipe is a super simple way to make nutritious snacks to have on hand whenever the need arises.
Ingredients
Fruit Juice: Provides bold and natural fruity flavor. Make sure it is cold so that the gelatin will bloom properly. I used grape juice in this recipe but any type of juice will work except for pineapple juice which contains a compound called bromelain which prevents the gelatin from binding well.
Honey: Sweetens the deal! You can substitute for maple syrup, cane sugar, or omit it all together if you find the fruit juice sweet enough on its own.
Beef Gelatin: Act as the binder to give the gummy candies their shape while also providing a little boost of protein.
Instructions
1. Add the cold fruit juice to a medium saucepan but DO NOT turn on the stove top yet. Sprinkle the gelatin over top of the fruit juice and stir gently until combined. Let this mixture sit until it become a more solid texture meaning the gelatin has fully bloomed (see picture below).
2. Once the gelatin has fully bloomed turn on the stove top to a low-medium heat and heat the mixture until just before boiling stirring frequently to ensure it doesn’t burn. It should just be starting to bubble and the mixture will have turned back to a full liquid.
3. When the mixture is just starting to bubble, turn off the burner and remove it completely from the heat. Let it rest for 2-5 minutes to allow it to cool a little bit. It should still be a liquid once cooled. Don’t leave it too long or it will start to solidify.
4. Once cooled slightly but still a liquid, stir in the honey.
5. Pour into a 9×13 pan or into silicone molds and put in fridge for 2-4 hours or until fully solidified. Once they have solidified, cut them into squares or pop them out of the silicone mold and store them in an airtight container. They will keep for 1 week in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any type of fruit juice?
Yes, you can use any flavor of fruit juice you like with one exception. Pineapple juice contains a compound called bromelain which prevents the gummies from solidifying the same way. It does still work but they are less likely to hold together well. Some people also claim citrus juices like orange or lemon don’t work as well, but I have not found this to be the case.
Can you mix fruit juices?
Absolutely! In fact, I recommend it. Check out some what type of fruit flavors are used in store-bought gummies as your inspiration. Some of my favorite flavors have are when I mix fruit juices. Apple juice goes well with a lot of flavors since it has a nice natural sweetness. I like to combine it with a tart cherry juice.
Why didn’t the gummies solidify?
There could be a few reasons that your gummies didn’t solidify.
- The gelatin didn’t bloom long enough. The gelatin needs to be mixed into the liquid long enough to become mostly solid before heating it.
- Your liquid wasn’t cold enough. If the fruit juice was not cold enough when you added the gelatin, it may not bloom properly.
- The mixture wasn’t heated enough. Just as the fruit juice needs to start cold, the mixture also needs to be heated to a point just before boiling or just beginning to boil to activate the properties of the gelatin.
- The gummies didn’t fully cool. It can take several hours depending on the size of your gummies for them to fully cool. If they don’t cool down enough after heating, the gelatin will not have time to set up.
How long will the gummy candies keep?
They will keep for about a week in a airtight container in the fridge.
More From Scratch Snacks You Might Enjoy….
Homemade Beef Gelatin Marshmallows
Buttery Fresh Milled Shortbread Cookies
Homemade Gummy Candy Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Medium Sauce Pan
- 1 9×13 Dish
Ingredients
- 4 cups Fruit Juice
- 8 Tbsp Beef Gelatin
- 2-4 Tbsp Honey Adjust according to preferred sweetness.
Instructions
- Add the cold fruit juice to a medium saucepan but DO NOT turn on the stove top yet. Sprinkle the gelatin over top of the fruit juice and stir gently until combined. Let this mixture sit until it become a more solid texture meaning the gelatin has fully bloomed (see picture below).
- Once the gelatin has fully bloomed turn on the stove top to a low-medium heat and heat the mixture until just before boiling stirring frequently to ensure it doesn’t burn. It should just be starting to bubble and the mixture will have turned back to a full liquid.
- When the mixture is just starting to bubble, turn off the burner and remove it completely from the heat. Let it rest for 2-5 minutes to allow it to cool a little bit. It should still be a liquid once cooled. Don’t leave it too long or it will start to solidify.
- Once cooled slightly but still a liquid, stir in the honey.
- Pour into a 9×13 pan or into silicone molds and put in fridge for 2-4 hours or until fully solidified. Once they have solidified, cut them into squares or pop them out of the silicone mold and store them in an airtight container. They will keep for 1 week in the fridge.
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