How to Make Gummy Bears

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References Tested

Gummy bears are some of the simplest candies to make at home. At their core, they are just 4 ingredients: water, sugar, gelatin, and flavoring. Water and gelatin, when blended, heated, and cooled, naturally form a chewy candy, so you don’t need any expensive equipment or odd ingredients to create homemade gummy bears. To get bear shapes, you will need gummy bear molds.

Ingredients

Quick and Easy Gummies

¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of cold water
2 tbsp (20 g) of unflavored gelatin
1 packet (85 g) of flavored gelatin

Classic Gummy Bears

70 grams (2.5 oz) of gelatin, 250 bloom
140 millilitres (0.59 c) of water
225 grams (7.9 oz) of sugar
22.5 grams (0.79 oz) of sorbitol powder
245 grams (8.6 oz) of glucose syrup, or 179 millilitres (0.76 c)
15 grams (0.53 oz) of tartaric or citric acid
12 grams (0.42 oz) of food grade essential oil, any flavor

Prep time: 20-25 minutes (active prep: 5-10 minutes)

Cook time: 10-15 minutes

Total time: 30-40 minutes

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Quick and Easy Gummies

1
Place ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) of cold water in a small saucepan on the stove. Don't start the stove yet. It is easiest to mix the ingredients right in the pan since the gummy mixture will stick slightly if you try and transfer it from another container.
2
Add 2 tbsp (20 g) of unflavored gelatin to the water. You can find this at most grocery stores in the baking aisle.
- For a vegan substitute, try agar agar powder, which you can buy online or from a health food store. You can substitute agar agar for gelatin in the same amounts, so there’s no need to adjust your measurements for this recipe.^{[1]
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3
Add 1 packet (85 g) of flavored gelatin and mix well. The most common brand is Jell-O. The flavor you use will determine the color and flavor of the final gummies.
- Flavored gelatin comes in many flavors and colors, so you can make a whole rainbow of gummy bears. For example, you could get strawberry, orange, lime, and blue raspberry.
4
Heat up the mixture on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes. Just keep stirring occasionally so that all the gelatin is completely dissolved in the water. Go slowly so that none of the candy burns.
5
Turn the heat off and pour the mixture into a mixing cup. Any cup that is easily poured is fine. You can also use an eyedropper or a candy pump for more intricate designs.
6
Pour the mixture into your molds and put them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Simply pour the warm gelatin mixture into your candy mold and freeze it until it is set. The gummy bears are now ready to eat.^{[2]
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- If you don't have a mold, you can make gummy drops on some parchment paper instead.
- You can leave the gummies in the freezer longer, if you like. Frozen gummy bears are chewier and taste juicier than refrigerated or room-temperature gummies.^{[3]
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  Research source} If you put them in an airtight container, they’ll keep for up to a year in the freezer before their quality starts to decline.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Classic Gummy Bears

1
Pre-measure your ingredients to make classic “Gold Bears.” To get perfect, store-bought texture and taste in your gummies, you'll need a few harder-to-find ingredients as well as high-end gelatin (known as 250 bloom). Measure your ingredients by weight instead of by volume for more accurate results. Weigh them out in advance and have them on hand to be quickly mixed in—timing in candy making is key. To make this classic gummy bear recipe, you’ll need:
- 70 grams (2.5 oz) of gelatin, 250 bloom
- 140 millilitres (0.59 c) of water
- 225 grams (7.9 oz) of sugar
- 22.5 grams (0.79 oz) of sorbitol powder
- 245 grams (8.6 oz) of glucose syrup, or 179 millilitres (0.76 c)
- 15 grams (0.53 oz) of tartaric or citric acid
- 12 grams (0.42 oz) of food grade essential oil, any flavor
2
Mix your gelatin and water. You can mix them together with a whisk or, like classic candy makers, in a water bath. If you’re mixing with a whisk, combine the water and gelatin directly in the saucepan over low heat until the gelatin dissolves.^{[5]
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- To do a water bath, warm a large bowl of water up so that it is hot, but not boiling. Mix the 70 ounces (2,000 g) of gelatin and 140 millilitres (0.59 c) of water in a Ziplock bag and let it rest in the water bath for 30 minutes.
- The bag should be free of lumps or streaks when it is fully mixed.
3
Blend your sugar, sorbitol, and glucose syrup on the stove at medium heat. Stir the ingredients well so that they're properly mixed up, but not boiling or bubbling. If you have a candy thermometer, get them to 150 °F (66 °C).
4
Mix in your gelatin mixture slowly. With the heat still on, mix in the gelatin and water mixture from earlier. Stir until it is all completely mixed, then turn the heat off and move quickly to the next step.
5
Add in your desired flavorings. You can flavor your gelatin with juice, flavoring acids (such as citric or tartaric acid), or flavored oils or extracts. You can also add 1/3 cup (about 77 g) of well-pureed fruit, like strawberries.
- For instance, lime, lemon, or orange juice are all good choices if you want to add a burst of citrus flavor.
- For a more unusual flavor, try a flavoring oil or extract, such as vanilla extract, orange rind oil, or cherry extract.^{[6]
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  Research source} If you use an essential oil, make sure it’s labeled as “edible” or “food grade,” since some essential oils are harmful to eat.^{[7]
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- This is also the time to add any food coloring.^{[8]
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6
Pour the mixture into your mold. You can use a light coating of cornstarch to prevent the final gummies from sticking, but many gummy-making pans are already non-stick. Simply pour the mixture into the mold then freeze it for 4-5 hours, or until the gummies are firm and completely set.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Flavoring without Packets

1
Sprinkle your gummies lightly with citric acid to get a sour coating. Citric acid is a preservative, and it is not great for your teeth, so go lightly. A small amount is enough for a nice sour kick.
2
Use lemon and honey for citrus gummy bears. To make citrus gummy bears, you simply need to use some orange and lemon juice instead of a processed Jell-O packet. Honey also makes a healthier alternative to the corn syrup used in many store-bought gummies. To do this, mix the following ingredients in the saucepan, turn on the heat, then add 3 tablespoons (28 g) of gelatin. Continue like normal after the gelatin is added:
- 1 cup (240 mL) of orange juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey
3
Try pureed strawberries or berries in your gummies. This incredible, fruity gummy is a big hit. Make sure the berries are thawed before adding them. Simply mix the following ingredients, then add 3 tbsp (28 g) of gelatin slowly as you heat up the mixture like normal.
- ⅔ cup (174 g) of pureed strawberries/blueberries/raspberries
- ¹⁄₃ cup (79 mL) of water
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey^{[10]
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4
Replace the water with milk for a creamier texture. If you don’t eat dairy, even almond, soy, rice, coconut, or oat milk works well and imparts a distinct, creamy texture and feel to the common gummy. To make creamy gummies, whisk half the milk in with the gelatin. Then heat it up like normal, whisking in the other half right at the end before it comes off the heat.^{[11]
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- Adding a touch of vanilla or almond extract, or even some cinnamon, to the mixture can take it to new heights.
- This substitute works with basic gummies as well as the pureed fruit versions.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I put the gummy in the fridge rather than letting it cool down on the counter?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. This will make the cooling process quicker. You can even use a freezer for them to solidify, but don't leave them in for too long or they will turn into polar gummy bears.
Question

Can I make gummy bears with Jell-O instead of gelatin?

Community Answer

No. The unflavored gelatin is an essential ingredient, as it's what makes them gummy. You can use Jell-O and unflavored gelatin together to make gummy bears, but not Jell-O alone.
Question

How do I make sour gummy bears?

Community Answer

Add a small quantity of citric acid to the liquid as soon as you turn off the heat.

wikiHow Video: How to Make Gummy Bears

Warnings

Not all gelatin is vegan, kosher, or halal. Check the ingredients carefully before purchasing if you have any special dietary needs.

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