Healthy Gummy Candy-Organic, Two Ingredients!

Gummy candy–gummy bears, gummy worms, and in my case bunnies and duckies–holds a fascination for kids that I will never understand.  But since my kids do love them, I have decided to make them healthier.  Easter is coming up after all!  Healthy gummy candy–who would have thought! 

Easter gummy bunnies and lambies and ducks

Easter gummy bunnies and lambies and ducks, oh my

My inspiration came from blogger Rachel whose cute treats which were cut with a mini cookie cutter.  I was looking to do small Easter shapes, which meant I would need to order a mold.  I ended up with a plastic mold which has limited heat tolerance but since gelatin dissolves even in lukewarm water (or juice), all was well. 

Gummy treats in mold

Healthy gummy candy in mold

These “treats” have a mere two ingredients–juice (I used organic) and gelatin (I used organic from here).  Once I got the ratio of juice to gelatin right, they were easy.  On my first attempt, I used the ratio on the package.  While my juice did gel, it was squishy and my poor little bunnies had to be scooped, shapeless, out of the mold.

Loosen gummy treats gently

Loosen gummy treats gently (and use Pam)

For flavoring, I used three different “juices”–apple cider frozen last fall, grape juice canned last fall, and some strawberry pancake syrup canned last fall and diluted with apple cider (my favorite).  I decided that more flavor was better and next year may try a concentrate.  My taste tester daughter, however, thought they were all good. 

Gummy treats on a plate

Healthy gummy candy on a plate

I did have one big failure after the initial one.  I tried using some blackberry syrup without diluting and it never gelled.  When I went to clean up I could feel little grains of un-dissolved gelatin, so that is my take-away lesson.   Make sure your gelatin is really dissolved (tilt the pan and check for grains as the juice slides away).  In the thickness of the undiluted syrup and my complacency after three good batches in a row, I missed this. 

gummy bunnies, duckies, etc

Store gummy treats sealed in the refrigerator

For everything you always wanted to know about working with gelatin (alas discovered after I’d completed these), take a look at this.  With peanut butter cups done and homemade peeps scheduled for later in the week, I think my homemade Easter candy project is starting to come together!

Note: none of the links here were compensated or gave me anything free.  I just know how long I looked for organic gelatin and the right mold and wanted to share these with you.

Gummy Candy

Author: Inger
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Inactive Time 30 mins
Total Time 45 mins
Course Cookies & Candies
Cuisine American
Servings 26
Calories 18 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 c apple cider or other juice
  • 3/4 oz gelatin or 2 T
  • Non-stick spray optional, you can carefully pry them out without this, but it makes it so much easier

Instructions
 

  • Pour juice into small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin thinly over juice, stir with a fork and let sit 5 minutes.
  • Heat on lowest setting and stir periodically with a fork. If juice gets hotter than lukewarm, remove from heat for awhile, but keep stirring. Continue until gelatin is dissolved (check for undissolved grains by tilting the pan), about 5 - 10 minutes.
  • Remove pan from heat and skim any foam (it's okay if you don't get it all).
  • Spray mold with Pam and spoon in juice mixture.
  • Cool in refrigerator until set, from 30 minutes to a couple hours.
  • Remove carefully from mold. Store sealed in the refrigerator.

Notes

Calories based on two candies and will vary based on the juice used.
Without preservatives these do not last as long as conventional candies, so store sealed in the refrigerator and try to use within a few days.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 piecesCalories: 18kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gSodium: 14mgSugar: 3g
I am not a health professional and nutrition data is calculated programatically. Accuracy may vary with product selection, calculator accuracy, etc. Consult a professional for the best information.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

17 thoughts on “Healthy Gummy Candy-Organic, Two Ingredients!

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    1. Inger Post author

      Once I got the ratio right (and located the mold at a company with reasonable shipping charges), I was surprised how easy they were!

    1. Inger Post author

      Thanks Gloria! I was so excited to find the cute mold with the little bunnies and duckies!

    1. Inger Post author

      Now I can’t wait until next year to try them with a concentrate to intensify the flavor…

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