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) just requires 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 that you love!
Or just 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 is going to add sweetness and create that sticky texture that you know and love about gumdrops.
Applesauce. You can use plain applesauce or even reach for strawberry applesauce for added flavor. Unsweet or classic works.
Jello. I made my gumdrops strawberry flavor, you are more than 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.
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.
- 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 boiling for 1 minute.
- Pour 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. For little kids, I like to go smaller 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 a 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. 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, and that will keep them for sure safe from clumping together.
Find more Valentine Snack & Decor Ideas below:
- Be Mine Mocktail Valentine’s Drink
- 20 Valentine’s Day Desserts
- Piece of My Heart Valentine’s Day Craft
- Easy Jell-O Hearts Recipe
- Valentine Table Decor Idea & Owl Be Your Valentine
Gumdrops Recipe: great for Valentine's Day
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
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Is that sweetened or unsweetened apple sauce?
Wow! I had never even considered making my own gum drops! What a fun project to try! Pinning!
Wow, I didn’t know they were so easy to make. I have to give it a try. My granddaughters will love it.
Oh my gosh, these are wonderful! How fun!
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.
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 🙂
I love this idea. It’s so different and so easy. I pinned it because I’m totally making these. Thanks!
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 🙂
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!!
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
Great idea and looks so easy! Visiting from the Weekend Re-Treat.
What a fun idea, Tatanisha! I have never done this before, but it looks yummy!
What a cool idea! Thanks for linking up at Sunday Features. I’m going to be featuring this on Sunday!
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
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.
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
Tatanisha…I am sharing on my Denise Designed page today. Such a great idea to do with the kids.
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*
Awesome! Pinned!
BTW- I’m in Michigan too! Metro Detroit here…
What a fun and sweet recipe! I’ve never thought to make my own gumdrops! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!