This Homemade Valentine Gum Drops Recipe is a fun way to make your own Valentine candy in your kitchen.
Valentine’s Day sweets and treats are always fun, but do you know what is a little bit extra special? HOMEMADE Valentine candy. This Homemade Valentine Gum Drops Recipe isn’t just fun to eat though, it’s also really fun to make.
(Psssst… for more heart-shaped candy fun, check out our DIY Valentine lollipops made with Jolly Ranchers!)
Making the actual gum drop mixture comes first. Then the fun part is cutting out the hearts. It’s a fun way to get the kids involved in making the Valentine treats.
This set of heart-shaped cookie cutters has a variety of sizes to choose from, but any small cookie cutters will work!
While we made our Valentine Gum Drops with strawberry Jell-o, you can use any red flavor – cherry, raspberry or even light pink watermelon gum drops!
And technically you don’t have to limit yourself to red. Get crazy and make a whole rainbow full of hearts!
A fun way to package up the gum drops to give as treats at your Valentine’s Day party is to put them in cellophane bags decorated with these free printable Valentine Treat Toppers.
If you have so much fun making these you want to continue on with the next holiday, you can use our St. Patrick’s Day gum drop recipe in March. Let’s get to the recipe!
Wilton 7-Piece Metal Heart Cookie Cutter SetStrawberry Jell-O GelatinKnox Gelatine Unflavored
Homemade Valentine Gum Drops Recipe
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups Applesauce
2 1/4 cup Sugar
2 boxes (3 oz) Strawberry Jello
2 envelopes Unflavored Gelatin {like Knox}
Additional sugar for dusting
How to make Valentine Gum Drops:
Spray 13×9 pan with non-stick spray.
Combine applesauce, sugar, Jell-o and unflavored gelatin in a pan.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Boil for a minute.
Pour into prepared pan and refrigerate until set.
Dust cutting board with sugar.
Use a spatula to loosen sides and turn out onto cutting board.
Dust top of Jello with sugar.
Use heart shaped cookie cutters to cut out gum drops.
Roll edges in extra sugar and set onto wax paper for 1 hour to dry out slightly.
Store in an airtight container.
Homemade Valentine Gum Drops
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Applesauce
- 2 1/4 cup Sugar
- 2 boxes 3 oz Strawberry Jello
- 2 envelopes Unflavored Gelatin {like Knox}
Instructions
- Spray 13×9 pan with non-stick spray.
- Combine applesauce, sugar, Jell-o and unflavored gelatin in a pan.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Boil for a minute.
- Pour into prepared pan and refrigerate until set.
- Dust cutting board with sugar.
- Use a spatula to loosen sides and turn out onto cutting board.
- Dust top of Jello with sugar.
- Use heart shaped cookie cutters to cut out gum drops.
- Roll edges in extra sugar and set onto wax paper for 1 hour to dry out slightly.
- Store in an airtight container.
DaisysMom says
Do gum drops need to be refrigerated after completed?
Chrysa says
No. They can stay at room temperature, but be sure to keep them in a sealed container to avoid drying out and becoming hard.
Cara says
Just a question…it says to add all the ingredients to a pan and boil. Does this include the sugar? Or is the sugar just for the topping?
Chrysa says
Yes, it includes the sugar. You use the additional sugar as mentioned to dust surface and cut out. I will adjust the directions to make it more clear!
Nancy Sweet says
Can I use candy molds to make these???
Chrysa says
You certainly could try with molds. I’m thinking that might work. If you try it, let us know your results!
Jessica says
So creative! Love this idea!
Carol Nine says
I really like that these have apple sauce as an ingredient. Candy with something in it that’s good for you is a real plus.