Gummy Snacks

When Grandma (a.k.a. my mom) came to live with us after her (finally) retirement, she was surprised with all the things I was able to cook or bake. She asked me how I did it. I told her that it was simply a matter of researching the recipes and testing them out.

The craving also has a lot to do with my wanting to make something sweeter. Let's face it. Most of the prepackaged sweets will have at least one questionable ingredients in them. Case in point, jelly beans, lollipops, and gummy fruit snacks. So far, all of the ones I found have either citric acid, ascorbic acid, guar gum, flavoring... and so on.

When I told Camden that he had to mind what he was eating. If he craved or wanted to eat something, he had to tell me in advance. I'd research for the recipe and make him anything he wanted to eat. The first thing he asked me was "can you make gummy fish?"

I made gummy fruit snacks once, and they turned out really good. Perfect gummy texture. The fun factor with gummy fruit snacks is the molds. Finding the right molds is a must. I bought a lot of small ice cube silicon molds at Target, thinking that I could use them to make chocolate candy. But these molds were perfect for making gummy fruit snacks. Of course, Camden said he wanted some gummy fish, not gummy fruits. I came across a gummy fish mold at Amazon and had to get it. The gummy fish snacks look authentic (like the store bought). Yay!!! Mission accomplished.

I highly recommend using the silicon molds. It's easier to remove the gummy fruit snacks out of the this type of mold. And be creative with the fruit juice. I made them with watermelon juice, apple juice, grape juice, orange juice, and cantaloupe juice. But stay away from fresh pineapple juice. The gelatin won't set because of the enzyme in the fruit.

Gummy Snacks
makes a lot, depending on the size of the mold

3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons (7 oz.) fruit juice
2-4 Tablespoons granulated sugar (or to taste)
3 Tablespoons gelatin (Knox or Great Lakes)

1. Place a mold of choice on top of the baking tray.
2. Pour the juice in a microwavable bowl or cup.
3. Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute.
4. Whisk in the sugar and gelatin until they dissolved.
5. Spoon the juice into the mold.
6. Place the mold in the refrigerator until the juice is set, about an hour.

TIPS: Instead of using a microwave, the juice can be heated up on stovetop. Then follow step 4 of this recipe.

To make gummy snacks from the actually fruit juice, such as watermelon or cantaloupe, peel and seed the fruits. Cut them into cubes. Place them in a blender and blend until liquefy. Strain the juice until the amount needed for this recipe. Add the sugar to taste.

NOTE: Most prepackaged juices are pretty sweet already. The amount of sugar that is added to make these gummy snacks is up to your taste preference.

Allergy Info: These gummy snacks are free from or can be made without dairy, eggs, corn, legumes (soy), wheat, nuts, or fish. Finding the prepackaged juice is like finding a needle in a hay stack. The cleaned ones I've used are TreeTop apple juice (from concentrated), Martinelli's apple juice, Hill Country grape juice or apple juice (HEB store brand), Ceres juices, or Florida's Natural orange juice. When looking for prepackaged juice, the only ingredient listed should be the juice you are purchasing. No citric acid or anything funky added.