Name: Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 11 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided; 1 ⅓ cups unsweetened applesauce; 6 ounces Jello (lime or cherry); 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (such as Knox)

There’s something truly nostalgic about biting into a soft, chewy gumdrop with just the right amount of sugary sparkle. This Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe brings that magic to your kitchen with simple ingredients and a fun, hands-on process that’s surprisingly easy—and endlessly rewarding.

A white square plate filled with several layers of red and green gummy candies shaped like stars, Christmas trees, candy canes, bells, and stockings. Each candy is covered with a fine layer of sugar crystals that sparkle in the light. The candies overlap in a random pile, showing the different bright and clear colors with a slightly translucent look. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a hint of a red cloth decorated with white snowflakes nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made these gumdrops at home—there’s just something magical about turning a few pantry staples into these brightly colored, chewy little bites. This recipe is a perfect mix of nostalgic candy-making and modern-day ease. Seriously, once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to keep making them for every holiday and sweet craving.

Simple Ingredients: No weird additives or preservatives—just natural flavors and familiar pantry staples.
Customizable Flavors: You get to pick your favorite Jello flavor, so whether you prefer cherry or lime, you’re in control.
Fun to Make: Cutting shapes and rolling in sugar feels like crafting candy magic right in your kitchen.
Great for Gifting: These homemade gems make sweet, personal gifts that everyone appreciates.

A close-up image of a woman's hand holding a small, bright green star-shaped candy covered with granulated sugar, showing its rough texture. The candy's surface is sparkling with sugar crystals, making it look sweet and crunchy. In the blurry background, there are hints of other colorful candies in red and green colors on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe shines because each ingredient plays a specific role — applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture, gelatin does the heavy lifting to get that perfect chewy texture, and Jello brings in the vibrant flavor and color.

Flat lay of a small mound of granulated sugar, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with smooth unsweetened applesauce, two vibrant rectangular packets of lime and cherry flavored gelatin powder (represented visually as vivid lime green and bright cherry red powders in small white bowls), and a small white bowl containing translucent unflavored gelatin sheets or powder, all arranged symmetrically and naturally, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Granulated sugar: The sugar not only sweetens but also coats the gumdrops for that classic sparkly finish.
Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture and a natural fruity base that balances the sweetness.
Jello (flavored gelatin): This is how you get that punch of flavor and fun color—I love alternating between lime and cherry flavors.
Unflavored gelatin: Gives the gumdrops their chewy, springy texture—Knox is my go-to brand for reliable results.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to switch things up based on the season or mood. Sometimes I double the batch and create a two-tone tray using cherry and lime flavors side by side—kids and adults both love picking their favorites.

Fruit Juice Swap: Try using fresh fruit juices instead of Jello for a more natural taste, but keep in mind you’ll need to play with gelatin amounts for firm results.
Dietary Tweaks: If you want to avoid refined sugar, try coating your gumdrops with coconut sugar or a mix of stevia and erythritol—the texture changes slightly but still tasty.
Shape Play: Don’t have mini cookie cutters? No worries! A sharp knife or pizza cutter works beautifully to slice your gumdrops into squares or rectangles.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

First things first, grab an 11×7 or 9×13 baking dish and lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray. This little trick makes it so much easier to get your gumdrops out later without any sticky mess. Measure out your ingredients too—having everything ready to go speeds up the cooking.

Step 2: Combine and Heat the Mixture

In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of granulated sugar, the applesauce, your chosen Jello flavor, and the unflavored gelatin. Let it sit for about one minute so the gelatin blooms—it’s a small but crucial step for that perfect set. Then turn the heat to medium and stir constantly until it boils. The key here is to boil the mixture for a full 1 minute, which helps dissolve everything evenly and develops the right texture.

Step 3: Pour and Chill

Once you hit that boil, immediately pour the mixture into your greased dish. Let it cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes—this helps prevent condensation—and then pop it into the fridge for at least 3 hours, or until completely firm. Patience is key here to get the chew right.

Step 4: Cut and Sugar-Coat

Once set, place a large cutting board with parchment paper and sprinkle it generously with sugar. Use a metal spatula to carefully loosen the gumdrop slab from the pan—don’t worry if it feels sticky, it just means it’s working! You can transfer the whole sheet or portion it into large pieces first. Then, cut out fun shapes with mini cookie cutters or slice into squares. Let these sit at room temperature overnight or for at least 8 hours to dry slightly before rolling in the remaining sugar.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe, these tips really make the difference between “okay” and wonderful gumdrops!

Heat Your Cutters: Warm your cookie cutters in hot water before cutting—it helps slice through the sticky gumdrops like butter, making shapes crisp and clean.
Don’t Skip the Overnight Rest: Letting your gumdrops rest uncovered ensures they firm up perfectly and have that classic gumdrop chew and not overly sticky.
Use a Metal Spatula: It’s worth investing in a sturdy metal spatula to gently loosen your set gumdrops; silicone ones just don’t have the leverage needed.
Double Batch for Color Variety: Make two batches with different Jello flavors and combine them for festive red and green gumdrops—it’s a game-changer!

How to Serve Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe

Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love rolling my finished gumdrops in extra granulated sugar or even sanding sugar for that sparkling look that feels truly festive. Sometimes, I add a hint of finely grated citrus zest into the sugar coating—just a little twist of orange or lemon brightens things up wonderfully.

Side Dishes

These gumdrops are a sweet treat on their own, but I also like to serve them alongside hot tea or coffee, especially during cozy winter afternoons. They’re a fun addition to holiday dessert boards, paired with nuts, chocolates, and dried fruits for a delightful variety.

Creative Ways to Present

Got a party coming up? Arrange your homemade gumdrops in little glass jars with colorful ribbons or pack them into decorative tins for sweet gifts. Another idea I’ve tried is threading them onto skewers with berries and marshmallows for a playful candy kebab perfect for kids (and kids at heart).

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store my homemade gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between parchment paper to avoid sticking. They stay fresh and chewy for up to one week—usually lasting less time because we snack on them so quickly!

Freezing

Freezing gumdrops isn’t my first choice because it can slightly change their texture, but if you want to keep them longer, I recommend freezing in a single layer on parchment and then transferring to a sealed container. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving to soften.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat gumdrops since they’re perfect chilled or at room temp. If they feel a bit too firm from refrigeration, just letting them sit out for 15 minutes softens them nicely without losing that delightful chew.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these gumdrops without gelatin?

Gelatin is essential for the chewy texture in this Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe. You might try agar-agar as a vegetarian substitute, but the texture and setting time may differ, requiring some experimentation.

How long do homemade gumdrops last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they last up to one week while maintaining their chewy texture and sweetness. Beyond that, they may start to harden or dry out.

Can I use fresh fruit juice instead of Jello?

Fresh fruit juice can be used, but you will need to adjust the ratio of gelatin to juice for proper setting. It often requires more gelatin and careful measuring to get the right firmness without being too sticky.

Do I have to refrigerate the gumdrops?

Yes, refrigerating the mixture for at least 3 hours until firm is key to making sure your gumdrops set properly before cutting and coating. After that, they’re stored at room temperature.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Gelatin Gumdrops Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—and I hope it will in yours too. It’s one of those little homemade treats that bring back memories and make new ones, all while being a fun, easy project you can share with family or friends. Give yourself the gift of simple candy magic—you won’t regret it!