Into 1/3 cup cold water, slowly sprinkle 3 packets of plain gelatin, stiring in between additions to dissolve completely before sprinkling some more. Add too quickly and you could develop lumps, which usually can't be broken up later.
Eventually the mixture will be like a paste or dough. Cover it with plastic wrap (you can leave the spatula in) and let it rest on the counter for 10 minutes, giving the water and gelatin a chance to dissolve.
Remove the plastic and move the stovetop-safe cup to a tall-walled pan containing steadily simmering water. No need to stir it while the mixture is melting down.
Add the packet of Jell-o, a little at a time, stirring slowly so as not to add extra air to the mixture, which will make your candies cloudy.
Turn off the heat. Add 2 teaspoons of ascorbic acid and stir gently to dissolve. Ascorbic acid is pure vitamin C and will add tartness to the flavor of the candy (as well as change up that distinctive Jell-O flavor). Add it at the last moment before cooling-- heat has a way of distorting fragile flavors.
Refrigerate the mixture for ~5 minutes. Notice as the air escapes the mixture, you're left with super clear candy at the bottom of the cup and cloudy candy covered in a layer of foam on top. Use the candy syringe to slurp up the clear candy at the very bottom. Use this syringe to make clear-lens LEDs, then slurp up the cloudy layer for some diffused-lens LEDs. =]
Also place your mold in the freezer 5 minutes before casting. The cool rubber will help set the candies faster.
Fill the cavities of the mold with candy. Start with a small area, then insert the 3D printed legs while the candy is cooling. There is a "sweet spot" where the candy is solid enough to support the legs but still molten enough to stick.
Put the mold in the freezer for a few minutes or in the fridge until you're ready to unmold your candy.
Bend and flex the mold to help the candy come away from the mold, and pull the candies out onto a piece of parchment paper.
Allow the candies to air dry if you wish to bag them up together (prevents sticking), or just present them to your friends and eat them right away!
Photo by johngineer!
This guide was first published on Mar 05, 2013. It was lastupdated on Mar 05, 2013.
This page (Gummy Candy Recipe) was last updated on Mar 05, 2013.
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FAQs
To soften them, you need to rehydrate them. Toss them in a bowl of hot or warm water (don't use cold water - gelatin is only soluble in warmer water) until they reach the desired consistency - usually around 20 minutes or so.
Why is the sugar melting on my gummies? ›
If your sugar coating dissolves quickly, it's often because candies are coated while still warm. Ensure your gummies are completely cooled before adding the coating. Also, avoid excessive moisture and remember, sugars melt but the sour layer from citric acid doesn't.
Why do gummy bears give me heartburn? ›
While gummy bears are high in sugar, they won't trigger uncomfortable symptoms of GERD like acid reflux. Other gummy treats like Sour Patch Kids that might seem like they would cause heartburn because of their sour nature actually shouldn't trigger symptoms of GERD either!
How do I make my gummies more firm? ›
If you want your gummies to firm up quickly, place them in the freezer!
How do you troubleshoot gummies? ›
Gummies are Too Soft or Liquid
If the gummy is too soft but it is set in a solid gel then the best course of action would be to heat the sugar to a higher temperature on the next batch. We have made gummies up to 250°F. At this temperature they more resemble a chewy hard candy. For a perfect chew we prefer 240°F.
How do you activate glow in the dark toys? ›
Glow in the dark materials DO need a charge
3-4 mins of ultra violet (black) light. 7-8 mins of direct sunlight. 21-23 mins of fluorescent light (strip lighting or energy saving bulbs)
Does jello glow in blacklight? ›
But what if that wasn't just plain old JELL-O. What if it GLOWED IN THE DARK?! That's right. Amy from Mom Advice figured out that if you add tonic water, whose quinine naturally fluoresces under black light, to your JELL-O mix, it picks up an eerie green glow once it's all set to eat.
What makes candy glow in the dark? ›
The candy uses the combined magic of B2 (check your local pharmacy or Amazon) and UV light to create an edible treat with an otherworldly glow. Also known as riboflavin, B2 is food-safe and has the awesome ability to fluoresce yellow under UV light.
Why did my gummies turn out like jello? ›
To prevent your gelatin gummies from turning into jello, you can adjust the ratio of gelatin to liquid. Use less gelatin than you would for making traditional jello to create a softer, chewier texture for your gummies.
Why aren't my gummies hardening? ›
When the gummy is too soft it generally means that the amount of gelatin in the recipe is too low, or the ratio of water is too high. If you are using sheet gelatin, make sure any excess water from blooming is removed prior to adding the gelatin.
A favorite method of coating gummies is with a mixture of citric acid and sugar. This mixture provides crystalline texture on the outside as well as visual appeal.
Why do bodybuilders eat Haribo? ›
Gummy candy is largely composed of low calorie simple sugars(carbs). Simple sugars are broken down and utilized quickly. These sugars(carbohydrates) are used to help push through a workout with relatively small amount of calories and a bonus of not feeling bloated from eating pasta or some other carb source.
What is the laxative in gummy bears? ›
The FDA requires products that contain a daily dose of over 50 grams of sorbitol or 20 grams of mannitol to be labeled with a "laxative effect" warning. Sugar alcohols in and of themselves aren't necessarily bad. But, if you eat too many gummy bears, you can exceed that laxative limit.
Why do I get diarrhea when I eat gummy bears? ›
Maltitol is great because it doesn't cause cavities, but not so great because our bodies can't fully digest it, so it can ferment in the gut. The known side effects of the excessive consumption of lycasin are bloating, flatulence, loose stools, and borborygmi, the scientific term for tummy-rumbling.
Why is my gummy candy hard? ›
If gummy bears become hard, crunchy or sticky, that means they have lost moisture or gone bad and should be thrown away. Fresh gummy bears usually have a pleasant fruity flavor. If your gummy bears smell bad, it's probably time to throw them out.
How to dry out gummy candy? ›
Temperature To Dehydrate Gummies
The ideal temperature for drying gummies should not exceed 80F. We highly recommend using a dehumidifier to control the humidity in the drying room.
Why is my homemade hard candy sticky? ›
Why is my hard candy soft and sticky? The simple answer is that there is too much moisture in your candy. One or more factors could be contributing to this problem. In hard candy making, it is important to cook all the water out of the sugar/corn syrup/water mixture.
