If you need a cute and easy Valentine’s Day treat, check out this amazing homemade Gumdrops Recipe in a red heart-shaped using applesauce and a few additional ingredients.
Homemade Gumdrops Recipe For A Sweet Valentine’s Day Treat
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and this is such a CUTE and easy recipe to make during the fun and love season!
Making Gumdrops (which includes applesauce) requires just a few ingredients and your favorite people to make them.
This would be great for a Classroom treat or to make a homemade Valentine’s Gift for someone you love!
Or make some because you love making everything from scratch.
Regardless of your fancy, enjoy this easy homemade Gumdrops recipe!
Ingredients Needed for Heart Gumdrops
Granulated Sugar. You will reach for a classic sugar for this recipe. The sugar adds sweetness and creates that sticky texture you know and love about gumdrops.
Applesauce. For added flavor, you can use plain applesauce or even reach for strawberry applesauce. Unsweet or classic works.
Jello. I made my gumdrops in strawberry flavor. You are welcome to swap the Jello flavor with any flavor you want.
Unflavored Gelatin. The unflavored gelatin is needed to help give this a firmer texture. Make sure it is unflavored, as that is different than a classic Jello packet with flavor.
Lemon Juice. You need acid for this recipe, so lemon juice is the perfect ingredient. I recommend using fresh lemon juice.
Check out our Homemade Gumdrops for a St. Patrick’s Day treat.
How to make Heart Shaped Gum Drops for Valentine’s Day
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Sugar
- ¾ Cups Apple Sauce
- 1 3oz package Jell-O, Strawberry*
- 1 .25oz package of unflavored gelatin
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cup Granulated sugar for coating
Equipment:
Directions:
- Spray an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray and place it in the refrigerator.
- Mix sugar, applesauce, Jell-O, unflavored gelatin, and lemon juice in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Allow boiling for 1 minute.
- Pour the mixture into the cooled 8×8 baking dish.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until firm.
- Once the mixture is firm, turn it out onto a baking sheet sprinkled with granulated sugar.
- Using a sharp knife or cookie cutters, cut out your gumdrops.
- Give the gumdrops one last good coat of sugar and allow them to dry overnight.
- Store in an airtight container.
What Size of Cookie Cutters
You can go as small or large as you want on these gummies.
I bought a mix of sizes so that I could create different sizes. I like to use smaller cutters for little kids, so they are a nice bite-size.
Can I Use Any Flavor Of Jello I Want
Absolutely! Feel free to reach for raspberry, cherry, blue raspberry, or any flavor of Jello you want.
These are great, and I have made a few different flavors to give variety.
They are so fun and, dare I say, addictive!
Storing Homemade Gum Drops
Once your Jello gum drops are set and firm, you can place them in an airtight container. They will store at room temperature just fine, or you can refrigerate them.
The granulated sugar on the outside will help prevent the gumdrops from sticking together.
If you are worried about them sticking, place wax paper between each layer, which will keep them safe from clumping together.
Find more Valentine’s Snack & Decor Ideas below:
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Sugar
- ¾ Cups Apple Sauce
- 1 3 oz package Jell-O Strawberry*
- 1 .25 oz package of unflavored gelatin
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cup Granulated sugar for coating
Instructions
- Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray and place in the refrigerator.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine sugar, applesauce, Jell-O, unflavored gelatin and lemon juice.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Allow to boil for 1 minute.
- Pour mixture into cooled baking dish.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until firm.
- Once the mixture is firm, turn out onto a baking sheet sprinkled with granulated sugar.
- Using a sharp knife or cookie cutters cut out your gumdrops.
- Give the gumdrops on last good coat of sugar and allow to dry overnight.
- Store in an airtight container.
Laura says
Is that sweetened or unsweetened apple sauce?
Kelly says
Wow! I had never even considered making my own gum drops! What a fun project to try! Pinning!
Darlene says
Wow, I didn’t know they were so easy to make. I have to give it a try. My granddaughters will love it.
Darlene says
Wow, I didn’t know they were so easy to make. I have to give it a try. My granddaughters will love it.
Erin @ Making Memories says
Oh my gosh, these are wonderful! How fun!
Wendy says
These are absolutely adorable! I am so excited about the idea of being able to make my own gumdrops in whatever shape fits the occasion/holiday! Pinning and plan to use A LOT! Thank you.
Mitzi says
I’ve always loved gumdrops, but never tried making my own. Now that I see these, I want to try it! These are just adorable. Thanks for sharing with us at Motivation Monday 🙂
Apple Pie at Sisterswives.com says
I love this idea. It’s so different and so easy. I pinned it because I’m totally making these. Thanks!
Emily says
I’ve never thought to make my own gumdrops but I’ve very excited I found your recipe! I’ve added these to my Valentine’s Day Treats round up! Thanks for sharing and happy Wednesday 🙂
Victoria says
I can’t wait to try this! I see an ” * ” next to the strawberry jello ingredient line, but it’s never defined. Is there something else to that? Thanks!!
Becky at Cooking with Vinyl says
I never realized you could actually MAKE gumdrops! haha! thanks for sharing these on a link party. I’m a new food blogger and love meeting others. I’ve followed your social sites and hope we can connect on those. I’m excited to read more of your blog and maybe giving these gumdrops a try! Becky
Becky at Cooking with Vinyl says
I never realized you could actually MAKE gumdrops! haha! thanks for sharing these on a link party. I’m a new food blogger and love meeting others. I’ve followed your social sites and hope we can connect on those. I’m excited to read more of your blog and maybe giving these gumdrops a try! Becky
Kirsten Oliphant says
Great idea and looks so easy! Visiting from the Weekend Re-Treat.
Kirsten Oliphant says
Great idea and looks so easy! Visiting from the Weekend Re-Treat.
Elizabeth says
What a fun idea, Tatanisha! I have never done this before, but it looks yummy!
Andrea@TablerPartyOfTwo says
What a cool idea! Thanks for linking up at Sunday Features. I’m going to be featuring this on Sunday!
Lou Lou Girls says
You always bring the most delicious and cutest things to our party! Thank you. Pinned and tweeted. We feel honored that you take the time to stop by our party. I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. We love to party with you! Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
Denise says
Great recipe and I can imagine it being a great project with the kids. Thanks for linking up at Sunday Features. FEatured this recipe at this weeks party. And sharing on our FB today. Thanks.
Cydnee says
I love gumdrops and these heart gumdrops are the cutest! What a great treat for Valentines Day! Thank you for joining us on #purebloglove. We enjoy having you every Thursday night at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
Denise says
Tatanisha…I am sharing on my Denise Designed page today. Such a great idea to do with the kids.
Amy says
These look amazing, and I love how you used the two heart-shaped cookie cutters to create such a fun shape!! I will be attempting to make these very soon!! Thanks so much for sharing this! *Hugs*
Amy says
These look amazing, and I love how you used the two heart-shaped cookie cutters to create such a fun shape!! I will be attempting to make these very soon!! Thanks so much for sharing this! *Hugs*
Trisha @ Home Sweet Homemade says
Awesome! Pinned!
BTW- I’m in Michigan too! Metro Detroit here…
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says
What a fun and sweet recipe! I’ve never thought to make my own gumdrops! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!