Pin it
Homemade Christmas Gumdrops bring chewy sweet joy with their simple mix of Jello, applesauce, gelatin, and sugar. They're super chewy, wonderfully sweet, and fit any holiday gathering perfectly. Give them as gifts or jazz up your snack spread with these bright red and green treats that everyone loves during the festive season.
What Makes These Gumdrops Special
With just five basic ingredients, this treat combines fun and taste wonderfully. The little ones can join in by helping cut shapes and coat them in sugar. It's a fantastic activity for the whole family. These colorful candies will also brighten up any holiday table or make your gift baskets look extra impressive.
Key Components You'll Need
- Fine Sugar: You'll need 2 cups plus an extra cup for the outer coating. Make sure it's regular cane sugar at normal room temp 68-72°F (20-22°C) with small crystals and no lumps. Keep that extra coating cup completely moisture-free.
- Plain Applesauce: 1 cup of creamy applesauce at normal room temp 68-72°F (20-22°C) without any chunks or stringy bits. It should be thick enough to stick to a spoon without running off.
- Flavored Jello: Two 3-oz boxes (cherry red and lime green), still sealed, kept under 75°F (24°C), not past their best-by date. The powder should pour easily and show no signs of moisture damage.
- Plain Gelatin: 4 packs (1 oz total) from Knox or similar brands, stored properly in sealed containers below 75°F (24°C). Look for grainy powder without clumps or odd colors.
Making Your Gumdrops
- Set Up Everything First
- Lightly oil an 8x8-inch glass dish. Get your candy thermometer, flexible spatula, and exact measuring tools ready. Your kitchen should be 68-72°F (20-22°C) with humidity staying under 60%.
- Mix The Base
- Put applesauce and 2 cups sugar in a pot. Warm it to exactly 160°F (71°C), stirring the whole time. Drop in Jello and plain gelatin, keeping heat between 160-165°F (71-74°C) for 5 minutes until everything melts completely with no tiny bits left.
- Cool It Down
- Pour the hot mix (155-160°F/68-71°C) into your greased dish. The top should look flat without air bubbles. Chill at 40°F (4°C) for exactly 4 hours until it feels solid when you touch it lightly.
- Cut Into Pieces
- Use metal cutters warmed to 100°F (38°C) to shape the candy. Aim for 1-inch pieces with clean-cut edges. Let them sit out at room temp 68-72°F (20-22°C) for 12 hours on parchment.
- Add Sugar Finish
- Roll each piece in your saved sugar once they feel sticky but not wet. Cover them completely with no spots missed. Tap off extra sugar using a mesh strainer.
Tricks For Amazing Results
Warm up your cookie cutters in hot water so they slide through the candy better. Want both red and green treats? Just make two separate batches using different Jello flavors. Don't stop at Christmas colors though—try other Jello types and cutter shapes for any occasion you want.
Keeping Your Candy Fresh
Keep your gumdrops in a sealed container or ziplock bag at room temp for up to a week. They need to stay dry to keep that nice chewy bite. If you're storing them longer, put parchment paper between layers so they don't stick together.
Pin it
Common Questions and Twists
Switch things up by trying different Jello flavors or adding flavor extracts for unique tastes. No cookie cutters around? Just grab a knife and cut them into squares or diamonds instead. For the best texture and flavor punch, let your gumdrops sit out overnight before enjoying them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use other Jello flavors?
Absolutely! Pick your favorite flavors like strawberry, grape, or orange to get different colors and fun tastes for everyone to enjoy.
- → Why do they need to sit so long?
This resting period allows them to firm up and develop the right texture, while also letting extra moisture dry out. It makes sugaring and handling easier.
- → How do I keep them from sticking?
Keep your cookie cutters warm by dipping them in hot water, and dust your workspace generously with sugar. Wipe down your tools regularly while cutting.
- → Can I skip the cookie cutters?
Sure! Cut them into squares or diamonds using a knife or pizza cutter instead for less fuss but still great results.
- → What’s the best storage method?
Pop them in an airtight container at room temp, and they'll stay good for about a week. Coat them well with sugar to stop them from sticking together.