How to Make Homemade Gumdrops Candy
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Have you ever had Homemade Gumdrops? If you haven’t, you must try them! They are so fun to make because you can get creative with shapes, colors, and flavors! This recipe came from my grandma’s 1940’s cookbook, which is one of my favorites for inspiration.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Gelatin
- Sugar
- Water
- Flavoring
- Food Coloring
Equipment You May Need
- Saucepan
- Silicone Candy Molds
- Liquid Dropper
- Bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Helpful Tips for Making Homemade Gumdrops
- Open and set out all of your flavors and colors ahead of time so they are ready for you to use as soon as the candy is done cooking.
- These can be store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.
Variations and Substitutes
- Gumdrops can be made using any extract flavor you desire.
- You can experiment with colors, too!
- Gumdrops can be made in any shape or size you want.
- This recipe is fun because the options are almost endless!
Other Recipes You May Like
You might also like my 3-Ingredient Mint Truffles or my Easy Cinnamon Candy – 1940’s Style. This Cool Whip Candy and these Tart Cherry Gummies are also delicious. If you like to try new candies, you may also like this Root Beer Float Fudge or this Crock Pot Candy.
Final Thoughts on Homemade Gumdrops
My grandma’s cookbook rarely disappoints, so I was excited to try these. They turned out so cute and delicious. Gumdrops are actually not hard to make, so I want to make them more often. I like that I can play around with the flavors, colors, and shapes so they can be different every time!
Homemade Gumdrops
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Gelatin or 2 Packets
- ½ Cup Cold Water
- 2 Cups Sugar
- ¾ Cup Boiling Water
- Desired Flavors 2-4 drops of each flavor per portion
- Liquid Food Coloring
- Sugar extra for coating
Instructions
- Use cold water to soften gelatin.
- Add sugar to boiling water.
- Boil sugar water for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add gelatin.
- Stir until gelatin is dissolved.
- Boil on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Divide into desired portions (3 or less).
- Flavor each portion (2-4 drops of flavoring per portion) and add food coloring.
- Use dropper to transfer into silicone molds.
- Let stand at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Turn out and roll in granulated sugar.
- Let stand until firm.
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I had no idea how easy gumdrops were to make at home! This was such a fun recipe and love how many variations I can now make.
They are so easy! 🙂
Made these gumdrops with the kids. It was so much fun and they tasted so good.
My kids loved making them too!
Oh my goodness, this recipe was so easy to make. Turned out perfectly delicious!
That is so great to hear!
The kiddos had so much fun making this together and they came out way better than store-bought! Will make again! 🙂
Yes, they taste so much better than store-bought! 🙂
Love how these turned out! As a celiac, I like knowing I can make them and know they are gluten free.
That is super important; I’m glad these worked out well!
Can you make these with Stevia instead of sugar
Hi Penny,
I have not tried that, but it should work. It won’t effect the setting process. However, you will need to use a smaller amount since Stevia is sweeter than sugar. I hope that helps! 🙂
Was wondering how to store the gumdrops and how long will they last? Thank you
Hi Christina,
They will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 weeks. I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
I think this recipe is by far the best one to use for making CBD gummies
Hi Albert,
I haven’t made them but I believe that. Thank you for letting me and my readers know!
-Heidi
These are a solutely adorable and so easy and fun to make with kids! Love!!
Thank you! I’m glad your kids liked them too! 🙂
Can I make this recipe substituting all natural not from concentrate fruit juice for the water?
Hi Lorraine,
Yes, you can. But keep these tips in mind. Use fruit juice in place of the cold water when softening the gelatin. Use fruit juice in place of the boiling water when making the sugar syrup as long as you don’t mind a slightly softer texture and a sweeter overall result. Juice has natural sugars, so the mixture will be sweeter than when using water. You may want to slightly reduce the added sugar (usually by 2–4 tablespoons), but the recipe will still work if you don’t. Juice can affect how firmly the gelatin sets. High-acid juices (lemon, lime, pineapple, cranberry) can weaken gelatin. Avoid juice that contains fresh pineapple, kiwi, mango, papaya, or guava; they contain enzymes that prevent gelatin from setting. Color and flavor may vary. Your candies may turn out more opaque or slightly tinted depending on the juice you choose. Best juices to use: apple juice, white grape juice, cherry juice, pomegranate juice, orange juice (but reduces firmness a bit), cranberry cocktail (not 100% cranberry).
I hope that helps! Let me know how they turn out. 🙂
Best,
Heidi (aka Lulu)
If splitting into 3 portions, do you use a whole bottle of the Lorann Oil flavoring per portion?
Hi Rachel,
Lorann Oil is very potent so you only need 2-4 drops per portion. I will fix my recipe to reflect that. I hope that helps!
Best,
Heidi (aka Lulu)
I can’t stop making them! So good and I love that it came from your grandmother’s recipe❤️
Hi Carol,
That is amazing to hear! They are so fun, aren’t they? She was quite the candymaker and baker. <3
Best,
Heidi (aka Lulu)