Homemade Gum Drops Using Unsweetened Applesauce
Introduction
Homemade gum drops offer a classic, chewy treat that’s far fresher and more customizable than anything you’ll find in a store. This recipe, inspired by the creative trends seen in 2025 on “Pin by Carol Lashure on candy recipes 2,” uses unsweetened applesauce as its star ingredient, making it a slightly healthier option while preserving that delightful gumdrop texture. Impress everyone at your next gathering or simply elevate your snack stash with these colorful, fruit-flavored candies.
Why Make Your Own Gum Drops?
Store-bought gum drops can’t match the vibrant flavor or tender bite of homemade ones—especially when made with pure, unsweetened applesauce. The applesauce gives a subtle fruity backbone, while letting you control sweetness and avoid artificial additives. They’re customizable in color and flavor, making them perfect for parties, gift boxes, or a fun kitchen project with kids.
Crafting Flavorful Applesauce Gum Drops
The secret to a great gum drop is in the balance: applesauce for fruitiness, gelatin for chew, and just enough sweetness to delight every palate. While classic gum drops use corn syrup and artificial flavors, this recipe puts fruit first. A few drops of food coloring and your favorite extract (like lemon, orange, or cherry) will make each batch uniquely yours.
Step-by-Step: Shaping Perfect Gum Drops
Once you’ve cooked your gum drop mixture to perfection, pour it into a well-greased pan to set. After a few hours, you’ll slice it into bite-sized pieces, toss them in sugar, and let them air dry—leaving you with candies that sparkle and taste just as amazing as they look.
Candy Buffet Ready
Pile your homemade gum drops into pretty bowls for a candy buffet, or package them in small cellophane bags to give as thoughtful homemade gifts. Their bright colors and fantastic flavor make them an instant crowd-pleaser for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 50 small gum drops, depending on your cut size. Each gum drop contains roughly 20 to 25 calories—less than most commercial alternatives—thanks to the use of unsweetened applesauce and simple, clean ingredients.
Homemade Gum Drops with Unsweetened Applesauce (Recap)
Sweet, fruity, and perfectly chewy, these gum drops are a treat you can feel good about sharing. Made with applesauce and real flavors, they’re sure to become your go-to homemade candy for party trays or just a fun night in.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—making your grocery trips and snack planning quick, efficient, and hassle-free!
Instructions
- Coat an 8×8-inch pan generously with cooking spray or oil.
- In a medium saucepan, combine applesauce, granulated sugar, unflavored gelatin, and the flavored gelatin. Stir well.
- Place over medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once boiling, continue to cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Stir in your chosen extract and food coloring, if using.
- Pour mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Let stand at room temperature for at least 4 hours, or until fully set (overnight is even better).
- Run a knife around the edges and gently invert onto a cutting board. Cut into ½-inch squares or use small cookie cutters for shapes.
- Roll each gum drop in granulated sugar to coat all sides, then place on a rack and let air dry for 1-2 hours for best texture.
Weekly Meal Planning
If you love planning themed snacks and treats throughout the week, this gum drop recipe is a fantastic addition to your meal plan. Save and schedule this recipe using CookifyAI to easily slot it into special occasions, party menus, or just as a homemade treat.
Planning Benefits:
- Instantly adds all gum drop ingredients to a smart, categorized shopping list
- Consolidates similar ingredients from all weekly meals to avoid overbuying
- Reduces forgotten items and keeps sugar, extracts, and gelatin on-hand for future batches
- Makes prepping for parties and celebrations fuss-free and organized
Pro tip: Schedule multiple recipes—candies and snacks alike—to generate a single, efficient shopping list and streamline your weekly treat making.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (includes setting time)
