My children were very upset with me last night when they saw I was making gummy bears. Why? I told them they could not eat any as I needed them for a morning photo shoot…for you all. The boys will be happy this afternoon when they get home from school and find this healthy candy ready to eat. These gluten-free gummy bears are the perfect thing to pack as a treat in school lunches, make a wonderful after-school snack, and are a great homemade Halloween candy for your little ghosts and goblins.
My boys (both teenagers now) are literally obsessed with these fruit juice-sweetened gummy bears and worked with me as I made them numerous times to perfect both the texture and flavor.
Gummy Bears
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic grape juice, pineapple, or pomegranate juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon stevia
- 3 tablespoons gelatin
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan bring juice to a boil
- Allow to cool for 3 minutes, then stir in lemon juice and stevia
- Very gradually, Whisk in gelatin
- If you do not whisk gradually and thoroughly your bears will be lumpy
- Allow mixture to cool almost to room temperature, then pour into gummy bear molds
- Refrigerate for 2 hours
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
Each healthy gummy bear candy has close to 2 grams of protein –not bad for a snack food. My older son likes to eat these with breakfast.
I haven’t played with gelatin for quite some time, however, Kelly kept telling me about her gummy recipe using pure gelatin (as in unflavored, without all of the sugar and dyes found in the more commercial product) and now I’m totally on the gelatin bandwagon.
Gelatin is fantastic for gut health and high in protein, which makes it an optimal food for my family. I make sure to purchase the grass fed gelatin and have found it to be very high quality. Here’s to the oxymoron of healthy candy, and gummy, or gummi, bears!
Jess says
These look delicious! Do you think that I could use Agar Agar powder to make these vegan? Thanks!
Julie says
What brand of gelatin do you use?
Kerri says
Hi-This link will bring you to Amazon which no longer carries the bear molds. You can go to here:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ee56/?pfm=Search&t=gummy%20bear%20ice%20cube%20tray
to order them.
Kate says
These look big. Do they come out much bigger than typical gummy bears? More like big ice cubes? That would be strange.
Deila says
FOR THOSE WITH FURRY FRIENDS:
I make gummy treats for my dogs using bone broth and gelatin.
1C bone broth of choice
4-6T gelatin
Heat broth. Whisk in gelatin, 1T at a time. Pour into molds or pan with lip and set in refrigerator. Pop them out of molds OR cut into pieces and give them as treats.
I add in extra gelatin to make them *harder*, because my dogs like to chew them. plus, it’s a hoot when I toss them a gummy, and they don’t catch it. Watching the gummy bounce around while they chase after it is a RIOT!!!!
My dogs adore them, they are Paleo (SHOCK) and good for pups with joint issues.
Brooke says
Hmmmm, that actually sounds good as a people treat too! ;) Thanks!
Pam Frydman-Roza says
Where do you find Kosher Gelatin with a real hechsher. I’ve seen Great Lakes gelatin that is labelled Kosher but I don’t see a hechsher.
Thanks a bunch.
Chag Sukkot Sameach!
Pam :)
Shari says
http://www.koshergelatin.com is certified Kosher by the OU. It is pareve although it comes from cows. There is a halachic explanation on the website.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
Yum! I haven’t had gummy bears in AGES!!!
Bobbie Carichner says
Can you suggest a substitute for the lemon juice? For me any citrus is a migraine trigger.
Kim Riffle says
Where did you purchase the gummy bear ice cube trays?
Jess says
I only have honey on hand and have been making these all week! soo good!
Sally says
You used honey instead? Same amount as the Stevia or a different amount? I’d love to try these with honey.
Laura@EmptySpoonful says
This just made my day! I LOVE gummy bears and this recipe looks fantastic! I adore this picture, they came out beautiful Elana; too perfect to eat!