Homemade Colorful Gummy Bears: A Fun and Easy Recipe for Kids and Adults!

Ingredients

1 cup of cold water
1.5 tablespoons of gelatin powder
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon of flavor extract (like vanilla, lemon, strawberry etc.)
2-3 drops of food coloring (optional)
Gummy bear molds
1 dropper (usually comes with the mold)

Steps and instructions

Pour the water into a small saucepan and heat it over medium heat.
Slowly sprinkle the gelatin powder into the water, whisking constantly to ensure that it dissolves completely.
Add the sugar to the saucepan and continue whisking until it dissolves completely. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Do not let the mixture boil.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the flavor extract and food coloring, if using.
Let the mixture cool for about 5-10 minutes until it's warm but not hot.
Using the dropper, carefully fill the gummy bear molds with the gelatin mixture.
Place the filled molds in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the gummy bears are firm and set.
Once set, remove the gummy bears from the molds. They're now ready to enjoy!
Store any leftover gummy bears in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Tools for making

Small saucepan - needed to heat and dissolve the gelatin mixture.
Whisk - used to mix the gelatin powder, water, and sugar together.
Gummy bear molds - these molds are used to shape the gummy bears.
Dropper - typically comes with the gummy bear molds and is used to fill the molds with the gelatin mixture.

Recipe variations

Use different flavored extracts such as cherry, orange, or pineapple for a variety of gummy bear flavors.
Experiment with different fruit juices instead of water to add natural fruit flavors to the gummy bears.
Add Vitamin C powder or crushed multivitamin tablets to create homemade vitamin gummy bears.
Try using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar.
Add a pinch of citric acid for a slightly sour gummy bear flavor.
Mix in small pieces of fruit like diced strawberries or blueberries before pouring the mixture into the molds.
Create layered gummy bears by pouring different colored gelatin mixtures into the molds one layer at a time, allowing each layer to set before adding the next.
For a vegan option, substitute agar powder for the gelatin. Follow the package instructions for the appropriate amount to use.
Make sugar-free gummy bears by using a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol instead of granulated sugar.
Experiment with different shapes and sizes of molds to create gummy worms, hearts, or other fun shapes.

Recipe overview

Looking for a fun and sweet treat to make at home? Try these easy homemade gummy bears! This recipe is simple and straight-forward, allowing you to create your very own gummy bears with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. By making your own gummy bears, not only can you control the ingredients and portions, but also customize the flavors and colors according to your preference. You’ll be using gelatin, sugar, flavor extract, and optional food coloring to make these delightful candies. Expect to spend around half an hour preparing and cooking, then a couple of hours for the gummy bears to set in the refrigerator. The result will be well worth the wait - chewy, sweet, and flavorful gummy bears that you can be proud to say you made yourself! Enjoy them as a treat or use them as fun decorations for desserts. Heck, they can even become a great gift for your friends or family. So, are you ready to make some gummy bears? Let's get started!

Common questions

Can I use different flavors for the gummy bears? Yes, you can use different flavor extracts to customize the taste of your gummy bears. Vanilla, lemon, strawberry, and raspberry are popular choices, but feel free to experiment with your favorite flavors.
Can I use different colors for the gummy bears? Yes, you can add food coloring to the mixture if you want colorful gummy bears. However, it is optional, and you can leave them uncolored if you prefer.
How long do I need to cool the mixture before filling the molds? Let the mixture cool for about 5-10 minutes until it's warm but not hot. This will prevent the heat from damaging the molds and help the gummy bears set properly.
Can I use different molds for making gummy bears? Yes, you can use different molds if you don't have gummy bear molds. Silicone molds in various shapes and sizes can work well for making gummy candies.
How long should I refrigerate the gummy bears? Refrigerate the filled molds for at least 2 hours, or until the gummy bears are firm and set. Leaving them longer will result in a firmer texture.
How should I store the leftover gummy bears? Store any leftover gummy bears in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can stay good for up to a week.

Serving dishes and utensils

Small saucepan - Used for heating and dissolving the gelatin mixture.
Whisk - Used to mix and dissolve the gelatin powder and sugar in the saucepan.
Gummy bear molds - These molds are used to shape the gummy bear candies.
Dropper - Typically included with the gummy bear molds, the dropper is used to fill the molds with the gelatin mixture.
Refrigerator - Needed to chill and set the gummy bears.
Airtight container - Used to store any leftover gummy bears in the refrigerator.

Origin stories

Gummy bears have a surprisingly long history, dating back to the early 20th century in Germany. They were first created by Haribo, a confectionery company founded by a man named Hans Riegel. He was inspired by the trained dancing bears seen at European street festivals and fairs of the time, and decided to create a small, bear-shaped sweet treat that both kids and adults could enjoy. The invention turned out to be a big success, setting the benchmark for all gummy candies to follow. It's also worth noting that the original name of gummy bears is 'Gummibärchen', which translates to 'little rubber bear'. Even today, more than 100 years later, gummy bears are still adored worldwide.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.