Food: Gummy Candy

Elora asks for 2 things EVERY day, without fail. The moment she opens her eyes in the morning, “Make my smoothie, please”. Okay, she’s 2. Some days it’s please.  Other days, princess has more important matters than manners. The second request/demand is when she comes through the door after school, “Gummies!”

My husband eats a handful of gummy bears after a workout for the dextrose. By having them in the house means sharing with Elora. Not only because we are weak to her excited enthusiasm, but hey, we all ate them as kids and we are not foaming at the mouth, right? Well, after doing some research, because I don’t need a sugar addicted child, it’s amazing what commercial gummy bear makers put in there that is not necessary and up for debate in terms of health (such as food colorings).

This started my journey to see if I could make a healthier version that I would not mind giving to Princess as a treat. As Mommypotamus puts it, “…these babies loaded with high quality protein and helpful when it comes to healing digestive disorders, they’re also rich in an essential nutrient for gorgeous skin, lustrous hair, and strong nails – collagen! The amino acids which increase your metabolism and balance your hormones? Well, they’re just the icing on top!”

  Thanks Mommypotamus for posting this recipe, my comments are in italics:

Sour Gummy Stars

Ingredients:

•  3 tablespoons grassfed gelatin (where to buy grassfed gelatin)
•  1/3 cup lemon/lime juice (you can also use water and just add extra lemon or orange oil)
• 3 tablespoons honey (where to buy good quality honey)
• Optional – Non-toxic, vegetable-based food coloring (I used India Tree) (The health food store I shop at had this set for $12. I decide since I was in experimentation phase, I could skip this and always do it later if I felt the need)
• Optional – A few drops of lemon extract or food grade lemon/orange oil (I did not add because I wanted to see what the base tasted like first to determine if extracts would be needed)

Easy Peasy Instructions:

1.  Whisk lemon/lime juice, honey and gelatin in a sauce pan until there are no lumps.
2. Heat over low heat until it’s nice and melty, stirring constantly.
3.  Add food coloring and/or extract  if desired – you’re almost done now!
4.   Grab an ice cube tray or silicone mold (I don’t recommend silicone usually but since we’re not baking with it here I think its fine). You can use a basic pan, too, and then just cut into squares or use a cookie cutter after its set. (I used the ice cube tray method. Little difficult to pry out. I had to use a steak knife. Since they were so successful, I will venture to get some silicone candy molds.)
5.  Pour in the mixture and then pop in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to firm up. Once they’re out of the freezer they will stay firm at room temperature.
6. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
7. Enjoy!

They turned out fantastic! At first Elora was confused…these were squares…she wanted gummies and those are shaped like BEARS mom! But I convinced her to try it and she loved them. She asks for more, I don’t feel guilty providing…and I even take one as my reward for my efforts in servitude!