Christmas Gumdrops
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These Christmas gumdrops are a versatile treat that you’ll want to make for all your holiday events. They’re delicious and easy homemade candies that are sure to become a Christmas favorite.
There’s nothing like homemade candy for the holidays. It’s the perfect treat for parties, gifts, or just a fun dessert for the family this time of year. These Christmas gumdrops are one of my favorite holiday candies. They’re so pretty and easy to make, and they have a delicious sweet and fruity taste.
Jello, applesauce, and sugar are the magic ingredients that create these sweet and chewy gumdrops. Once this mixture dries and sets, it’s cut into Christmas shapes and coated in sugar to create a holiday treat that’s almost too pretty to eat.
Loved by kids and adults alike, these red and green gumdrops also make an ideal gift. Next time you need a fun holiday recipe, try these delicious Christmas gumdrops and make your holiday extra sweet!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Fun recipe – This classic candy recipe is ideal for bringing some delicious Christmas cheer to your holiday season parties and gatherings.
- Kids love them – Kids love these delicious Christmas candies that are a fun alternative to store-bought candy.
- These are pretty – they make ideal Christmas gifts for friends and family.
- Different colors – This homemade gumdrops recipe can be made in all different colors and flavors for different occasions.
- Holiday tradition – This easy Christmas candy recipe is a fun way to create a new holiday tradition and get the kids to help in the kitchen. The older kids can help cut the candy shapes while the little ones can roll them in the sugar coating.
Ingredients Needed for Gumdrops
- Granulated sugar, divided – puts the pretty and sweet coating on your gumdrops.
- Applesauce, divided – helps add texture to your candy.
- Strawberry jello – provides the color and flavor for the red gumdrops.
- Lime jello – provides color and flavor for the green gumdrops.
- Unflavored gelatin, divided – helps the candy to solidify.
Special Tools Needed
- 9 x 13 pan with sides
- mini Christmas cookie cutters (like these)
How to Make Christmas Gumdrops
Step One: Prepare the Gelatins
- Stir together 2 cups sugar, 2 packages of strawberry gelatin, 1 ⅓ cups applesauce, and 2 packages of unflavored gelatin in a large saucepan.
- Let the mixture stand for 1 minute.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute.
- Immediately pour the mixture into 9 x 13 pan that’s been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Repeat with the green gelatin
- Place both pans into the fridge and chill for 3 hours.
Step Three: Cut the Candy Shapes
- Cut the mixture into squares, then use a metal spatula to pull the squares out and transfer onto wax paper or parchment paper. Note: The squares will be sticky but they will come out of the pan.
- Use mini christmas cookie cutters to cut shapes into bite-sized pieces and place onto a parchment or wax paper-lined tray.
- Let the candies dry at room temperature for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Place the remaining cup of sugar in a small bowl.
- After the candy has dried, dip each candy in the sugar, coating all sides.
Tips and Suggestions
- Package these in some cellophane wrapped with Christmas ribbon. They make beautiful gifts.
- The candy squares will be really sticky and it may feel like you are going to tear them when removing them from the pan, but just keep sliding the metal spatula under them and they will come out.
- Wiggle the cookie cutter to make sure it has completely cut through the candy square before you remove it.
Variations
- Use any flavor of Jello you like to make these in a rainbow of colors and lots of different flavors.
- If you don’t have mini cookie cutters, you can simply cut the candy into small squares.
- Add a lollipop stick to each candy to turn them into Christmas gumdrop lollipops.
How Do I Store Christmas Gumdrops?
Store your leftover candy in an airtight container for up to a week.
How Can I Keep the Candy From Sticking as I Cut it?
The mixture will definitely be sticky, but try running your knife under hot water beforehand to make it easier to cut.
Can I Freeze Christmas Gumdrops?
You can freeze these for up to three months. Once they’re set, store them in a freezer bag or airtight container.
More Fun Christmas Treats
- Reindeer Krispies Treats
- Grinch Truffles
- Christmas Tree Meringues
- Santa Nutter Butter Cookies
- Melted Snowman Bark
- Candy Cane Danishes
- Christmas Wreath Cookies
Christmas Gumdrops
Ingredients
- 5 cups sugar divided
- 2 ⅔ cups applesauce divided
- 6 ounces strawberry jello 3 ounces packages
- 6 ounces lime jello 3 ounces each packages
- 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin divided
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, stir together 2 cups sugar, 1 ⅓ cups applesauce, 2 packages of strawberry jello and 2 packages unflavored gelatin.5 cups sugar, 2 ⅔ cups applesauce, 6 ounces strawberry jello, 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- Let this mixture stand for 1 minute.
- Next over medium heat bring the mixture to a boil stirring constantly.
- Boil the mixture for one minute.
- Immediately pour the mixture into a greased 11×7 or 9×13 pan.
- Repeat these streps with another 2 cups of sugar, 1 ⅓ cups sugar, 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin and lime jello.6 ounces lime jello
- Place both pans into the fridge for 3 hours.
- I find it is easier to cut the mixture into squares and use a metal spatula to pull the squares out and transfer onto a wax or parchment paper. This will be a sticky job but they will come out of the pan.
- Using some mini Christmas cookie cutters cut out your shapes and place onto a parchment or wax paper lined tray.
- Let the candies dry at room temperature 8 hours or overnight.
- After a minimum of 8 hours dry time take the remaining 1 cup of sugar and dip each gumdrop candy in, coating it all around with sugar.
- Serve!
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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