Name: Homemade Gumdrop 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 flavored Jello (such as lime or cherry); 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (such as Knox)

There’s something truly magical about making candy by hand, and this Homemade Gumdrop Recipe brings back memories of childhood fun and colorful sweetness. It’s a joyful kitchen project that fills your home with fruity scents and results in soft, chewy treats you can customize any way you like.

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 Gumdrop Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Homemade Gumdrop Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Homemade Gumdrop Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Making this homemade gumdrop recipe is not only rewarding but a genuinely fun hands-on experience. I love how it brings bright colors and nostalgic candy vibes right to my kitchen, without a single artificial ingredient in sight.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples—no complicated candy-making gear required.
Customizable Flavors & Colors: By swapping jello flavors, you can create unique gumdrops tailored to any occasion.
Perfectly Chewy Texture: The combination of gelatin and applesauce gives a soft chew that's just right—not too sticky, not too firm.
Kid-Friendly Fun: It’s a great activity to get kids involved in, from pouring the mixture to cutting out shapes.

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

Each ingredient in this homemade gumdrop recipe plays a key role to create that classic candy feel. I recommend using good quality gelatin and real applesauce for the best chew and natural flavor. Plus, picking your favorite jello flavor adds that nostalgic sweetness that makes gumdrops so special.

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: Provides sweetness and that crunchy sugar coating we love on gumdrops.
Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture and helps achieve the chewy texture without excess stickiness.
Jello (Gelatin Dessert Mix): Infuses flavor and color—lime and cherry are classics, but feel free to experiment.
Unflavored Gelatin: The binder that gives gumdrops their shape and chewiness.

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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 love playing around with this Homemade Gumdrop Recipe by mixing different jello flavors for festive colors or layering flavors for a fun twist. Don’t hesitate to get creative—it’s just candy after all, and personalizing it makes it all the more special to share.

Variation: For Christmas, I usually make one batch with lime jello and another with cherry, then mix them for a jolly red and green batch. It’s always a hit with guests!
Dietary Tip: If you want to make these vegan, try agar powder instead of gelatin, though keep in mind the texture will be slightly different.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Homemade Gumdrop Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Ingredients

Start by spraying your baking dish—either 11×7 or 9×13 inches—with non-stick cooking spray so your gumdrops won’t stick. Gather your sugar, unsweetened applesauce, jello mix, and unflavored gelatin. It helps to have everything ready because this recipe moves fast once you start heating.

Step 2: Mix and Cook Your Gelatin Base

In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups of granulated sugar with the applesauce, jello, and gelatin. Let it rest for a minute to soften the gelatin. Then heat it over medium heat while stirring constantly until it boils. Let it boil for 1 full minute—this step is crucial for the right texture!

Step 3: Set the Gelatin in the Pan

Pour the hot mixture quickly into your prepared dish, spreading evenly. Let it cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes, then pop it into the fridge for at least 3 hours—or until it’s firm. I usually leave it overnight because it’s easier to work with.

Step 4: Cut and Coat Your Gumdrops

Once set, loosen the edges with a metal spatula—the gelatin will be sticky, but don’t worry, it slides out nicely. Transfer to a parchment-lined board sprinkled generously with sugar. Use mini cookie cutters warmed in hot water to cut out fun shapes, or slice into squares with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Let the cut gumdrops rest at room temperature for several hours or overnight to develop that perfect chew. Then roll each piece in the remaining granulated sugar for the classic sparkly finish.

Top Tip

When I first made this Homemade Gumdrop Recipe, cutting the sticky gelatin was the trickiest part. I learned a few little hacks that made all the difference and saved me from frustration.

Warm Your Cookie Cutters: Running your metal cutters under hot water before each cut helps them glide smoothly without sticking.
Patience Is Key: Letting the gumdrops set overnight before sugar-coating develops the right chew and makes rolling easier.
Use a Metal Spatula: A thin metal spatula slides under the gelatin easily—don’t be afraid to wiggle and gently pry.
Don’t Skip the Sugar Coating: It adds texture, prevents pieces from sticking together, and gives gumdrops that iconic sugary sparkle.

How to Serve Homemade Gumdrop Recipe

Garnishes

I love piling my gumdrops in colorful bowls, sometimes adding a dusting of extra colored sugar crystals for a festive touch. For parties, sprinkling edible glitter brings extra magic!

Side Dishes

These gumdrops pair wonderfully with tea or coffee for a sweet snack. I’ve also served them alongside homemade hot chocolate cups at winter gatherings—it’s an instant crowd-pleaser.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging gumdrops on a colorful platter in holiday patterns or use them as edible decorations on cakes and cupcakes. For birthday parties, I created little gumdrop “bouquets” on skewers that kids loved picking through.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your gumdrops in an airtight container at room temperature, separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking. They stay fresh and chewy for up to a week—perfect for nibbling.

Freezing

I've frozen gumdrops wrapped tightly and separated by parchment for several weeks. When thawed, they keep their texture well, so it's great for making batches ahead of special occasions.

Reheating

Gumdrops usually don’t need reheating, but if they get a bit firm in the fridge, simply let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving for perfect chewiness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh fruit juice instead of jello mix?

Fresh fruit juice won’t provide the same firmness and flavor concentration as jello mix because it lacks the setting agents and the flavored gelatin base. For best results, stick with flavored gelatin mixes when making gumdrops.

How long do homemade gumdrops last?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, homemade gumdrops stay fresh for about one week. Keep them separated to avoid sticking, and store away from moisture.

What’s the trick to cutting shapes cleanly?

Warming your cookie cutters in hot water before cutting helps prevent sticking. Also, make sure your gumdrops have set completely and aren’t too cold or they might crack. Patience while cutting yields the best shapes.

Can I make these gumdrops without gelatin?

Gelatin is key to achieving the classic gumdrop texture. If you prefer a vegetarian or vegan alternative, agar powder can be used, but the texture will be firmer and less chewy, so results may vary.

Final Thoughts

Making this Homemade Gumdrop Recipe is like rediscovering a colorful piece of childhood, with a grown-up appreciation for quality ingredients. I truly enjoy sharing these with friends and family because they show you put love and care into a simple, sweet treat. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s easier and more delightful than you expect!