Candy Gumdrops (Fat Free)

Kittencalskitchen's Note:

This is a recipe that I have had since when my son was young, they really do taste like gumdrops! --- I sometimes like to prepare three or four different flavors place them in a tin container and give them as gifts, they are simple to make and even taste better than the hard store-bought type --- yield is only estimated the amount depends on what size you cut them.

• Total Time: 24 hrs
• Prep Time: 24 hrs
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 100

• 1 1/3 cups applesauce
• 2 (2 tablespoon) packages unflavored gelatin
• 1 (3 ounce) package Jello gelatin (4 serving size, any flavor, but cherry and strawberry is the best)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon bottled lemon juice
• sugar, for coating

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the applesauce, unflavored gelatin, the Jello powder, sugar and the 1 tsp lemon juice; bring to a boil then boil for 1 minute stirring frequently.
2. Fill a loaf pan up with very cold water and then pour the water out of the pan, immediately pour the gelatin mixture into the wet pan.
3. Allow the loaf pan to cool for 10 minutes and then put it in the refrigerator for about 3 hours or until gelatin is firm.
4. To remove the candy out of the pan turn the pan upside down and lay a warm wet towel on the pan (this will "melt" the sugar just a bit, and the gumdrop loaf will pop right out).
5. If desired before cutting them you may place the gumdrop loaf back in the fridge to harden further before slicing into small pieces (this is not really necessary but will aid in cutting them better) remove from fridge and cut the candy into very small squares (here's a tip, when cutting the candy into small squares dip the knife into warm water to avoid the candy from sticking to the knife).
6. Transfer the small pieces onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Allow to dry (at room temperature) for at least 8 hours.
8. After the candy has dried pour some sugar into a bowl then coat the candy pieces in the sugar.

Reviews

["Ratalouille"]

These were so fun to make!!! I used a "jell-o bean" mold, made by Jell-o Brand. I used a strawberry daiquiri flavored jello and cinnamon spice apple sauce. I rolled some in sugar and left some plain. I prefer the plain ones, as they are quite sweet. I may cut down on the sugar next time. I also found that if you leave them to dry overnight, the sugar doesn't stick as well. After popping them out of the mold, I let them sit for about 2 hours, then rolled them in sugar. YUM!

[JOY1998]

Kitten, I made these for a coworker and she loved them! She could not stop eating them. She said they were "#1". I found them very easy to make. I used a raspberry (regular sugar) jello. Plus they were very pretty! My BF loved them too. GREAT RECIPE!

[jamiej]

well, i'm in the process of making these for my dad as he loves gum drops. although he is diabetic so i changed it, I used 3 unflavored gelatin packs and a cherry kool aid pack instead of the jello.( I get the flavor of what a jello would bring with out the sugar and or art.sweetner,,,I can add my own sweetner) Unsweetened applesauce, and I added a little stevia to sweeten it. didnt have to add much though as the applesauce did plenty. I forgot the lemon juice until after,,,, hope it isnt used to keep it from going bad : ) I would like to try it with a mint extract and green food coloring for those spice drops,,, he loves those. but this was a great idea thank you so much for sharing.