In my quest to create reduced sugar or sugar-free desserts and snacks – you know, when I’m not inhaling pumpkin spice s’mores – I stumbled across the wild and wonderful world of homemade gummy candies with NO added sugar! Did you know you can make your own gummy candy and keep it as sugar-free as you want? Look at the adorable, gold-dusted gemstone shapes gummies I made:
These homemade gummy candies with NO added sugar are almost too pretty to eat! Almost.
Here’s what you need for Homemade Gummy Candies:
- 1 cup fruit juice – I used blueberry (I accidentally photographed the French side! Merde)*
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin (I used Great Lakes brand)
- 1 tsp stevia – optional (I buy Truvia)
- Silicone mold – optional (this is the gem mold I used edit: it sold out, so try this link instead)
- Small whisk
- Small metal pot
- Edible gold dust – totally optional
*When choosing a fruit juice, just skim the ingredients to make sure there isn’t any pineapple, mango or papaya juice because these juices will prevent the gelatin from setting unless the juice has been boiled. Also watch fruit juice labels for added sugar and artificial colors.
How to Make DIY Gummies:
Warm up 1 cup of fruit juice on the stove in a pot and once it’s warm – not boiling – stir in one tablespoon of the gelatin and whisk until it’s dissolved. Add the stevia and whisk until it dissolves, then pour the mixture into a silicone mold. I used a small brush to dust my mold with gold powder first, just for fun. I also put my silicone mold on a cutting board so it’s easier to move around. (Alternatively, you can double the recipe and pour into small glass bowls – it’s the perfect consistency for that as well.)
Pop into the fridge for a few hours and, voila! Gorgeous gems shaped homemade gummy candies with NO added sugar. Perfect for a rock hound like me.
I’ve been experimenting with different liquids, methods and flavor combinations – including an orange chocolate gummy that is so delicious – but my homemade gummies keep getting eaten before I can properly photograph them! I got about five minutes with these. They’re looooong gone.
I wanted to share because easy homemade gummy candies with NO added sugar are a good starting off point for anyone wanting to experiment; this “recipe” is foolproof.
Have you made your own gummy candy before? Any delicious recipes I should try?
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oh fun!!! i think emmy would love this!!!!
Totally! Just be warned that the gelatin does have a bit of a non-fun smell right out of the can. Maybe portion a bit in a cup for her to mix in? There are tons of adorable molds out there too. Let me know what flavors you two come up with 🙂
Look delicious, will definitely give this recipe a try. Where did you get that silicone mold?
Amazon! I went through my purchase history and linked the exact one I bought. I agonized over the size and shape, lol, because there are so many kinds of gem molds out there. I'm really happy with the quality of this mold because I've used it a TON and it has washed up really nicely each time. I even chuck it in the dishwasher.
So are these "gummy" as in like a "gummy bear" or gumdrop?
Good question! I find the consistency is convincingly like a gummy bear – gumdrops, if I remember correctly, are a more firm candy, correct? These are definitely on the gummy side of the candy spectrum, but perhaps a bit softer. When served in a cup, it's a lot like a firm Jell-o, but there's enough gelatin added that they keep their shape perfectly and pop out of the mold nicely. Altering the ratio of gelatin to liquid – and what liquid is used – can alter the consistency quite dramatically, but it's actually a lot of fun experimenting 🙂
This is a nice recipe to try this weekend with my daughter Abby.
Definitely! You can use her favorite fruit juice. If she's really young, you might want to just pour a bit of the gelatin in a small bowl for her because the smell in the container is a bit strong. I worry a picky eater might be grossed out by it.
Yum! These look great. I've been meaning to try a couple recipes for gummies; this seems simple enough, I definitely have to give them a go.
Thanks! I had been meaning to try them forever too and now I've used more than half a jar of gelatin with my experimenting. You're going to love these! Let me know what you make 🙂
These are gorgeous! I make similar gummy Legos for my grandsons, but I had never thought about looking for my own mold. And the gold dust is delightful. I was just diagnosed with diabetes, so I'm going to start making them for myself.
I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Dana. I've watched my grandparents and now my Dad struggle with diabetes. He's trying to control it with diet and exercise but he still has foot problems and now his eyesight has been affected. I'm sending good thoughts your way! I'd love to hear what kind of gummies you make 🙂
I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, Dana. I've watched my grandparents and now my Dad struggle with diabetes. He's trying to control it with diet and exercise but he still has foot problems and now his eyesight has been affected. I'm sending good thoughts your way! I'd love to hear what kind of gummies you make 🙂
We are always looking for recipes to make with the kids and the neighbors ( who seem to always end up at our house), and with this not having any sugar, we will give ita go! Thank you.
Happy to help! Hope all of the kiddos love them 🙂
It's amazing how easy this is! My wife and daughter love gummy candies, but we don't eat a lot of candy in our house because of the sugar. My wife is going to love this! Thanks for sharing!
I hope your wife and daughter love these! Let me know if you experiment with any fun flavors.
What is the shelf life of these if they are refrigerated?
These will last a few weeks in the fridge – I had another batch last a couple of months, actually, but they weren't as tasty anymore. What happens is that they get harder and harder. An airtight container will help. But really, these are tastiest served within a few weeks of making. Great question! I ate this particular batch in a day, so it didn't dawn on me to include a shelf life, lol.
Can plastic molds be used?
I prefer the silicone molds because they can pop out easier. You might damage them prying them out of a plastic mold. I made some in small bowls to see and they do come out eventually but the silicone just makes life so much easier.
Could I do a fruit tea instead of the fruit juice…I can't have fruit juice.