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!
Frances Cromwell says
I made these just as the directions said, except I doubled the recipe. My bears came out solid but very soft, not firm at all.
Anyone have any trouble with the gummies not being firm?
Patti says
I made the pineapple gummies yesterday exactly as written and with the same brand of gelatin, but the “beefy” flavor of the gelatin is very evident (and very gross).
Am I just super sensitive to this smell/taste? I made beef broth exactly one time and can’t make it again because the smell of the boiling bones was overwhelmingly disgusting to me.
My husband didn’t notice the taste, but the kids did. Maybe we have some genetic sensitivity to that taste??? I’m so disappointed because they came out great otherwise and were so easy!
Ann says
All gelatin is made from the collagen of cows and/or pigs and does not impart any “beefy” or pork flavor. Even regular jello brand gelatin is made with it. Possibly the power of suggestion? or maybe you are just sensitive to it.
jen says
we found ours to have a bit of a “stinky” flavor too. kids won’t touch them and it kind of grosses me out a bit too. this flavor I’ve only noticed with great Lakes brand. with knox, I don’t have any issues.
Pina says
I have the same problem- Animal base gelatin does have specific taste- especially when there is so much of it. My kids don’t like it either. I tried several recipes for gummy bears and gello and I could always taste it.
John Grapsas says
Has anyone tried this recipe using Xylitol rather than Stevia sweetener?
Lori Brandt says
Amazon is out of the molds and says not sure if they will ever be back, ack!
Noreen says
Can you use vegetarian gelatine for these?
Tiffany says
Here is a link to the company directly for the trays. They are cheeper that way.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ee56/
Kent says
Bulk Barn in Canada also has many molds available.
Leslie says
Does the 3 tablespoons of gelatin really work. I read in another recipe it called for 3 envelopes of gelatin with all other ingredients remaining the same.
Josefa Ciccarelli says
Is the texture supposed to be more like jello rather then a gummy bear. not sure if i did something wrong. I used cranberry juice since I didnt have anything else. I also tried making my own “juice” with blueberries and raspberries but they turned out the same way. I also used honey because I didn’t have any stevia. I’ve seen other recipes use honey and homemade juice so thought it should work. But I am not sure what the texture of these is supposed to be like so don’t know if I did them correctly or not. They are more jiggly like jello though, but still a little firm. But not like a chewy gummy bear if that makes sense.
Alexandra says
I had to use commercial gelatin because I didn’t have any other options. Mine came out very much like jello. I was hoping for that rubbery-chewy feel that gummy bears have. I’m also wondering what the correct texture is supposed to be…
Beth says
They are more of a dense jello texture. Not 100% the same as a true gummy bear, but tasty nonetheless.
Sarah says
Just made these, though only had a pan (no cute molds…yet.) So good, my kids asked for them for dessert. WIN!!!!