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    Home » Festivals » Christmas » Homemade Gumdrops | Agar-Agar Gumdrops

    Homemade Gumdrops | Agar-Agar Gumdrops

    Posted on December 12, 2018 · Last Updated on October 13, 2019 · By Srividhya G · 24 Comments

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    Homemade No Gelatin Gumdrops with Agar Agar collage with text overlay

    Homemade Gumdrops or Agar-Agar Gumdrops are gelatin-free, orange flavored sugar-coated gumdrops. They are not only delicious but are fun to make as well. Check out this detailed recipe with step-by-step pictures.

    Homemade Gumdrops or Agar-Agar Gumdrops in a small jar

    Holidays are fun, and it is all about food and fun with families and friends. This Christmas try making these homemade gumdrops with your kids and make this holiday season a memorable one and of course a sweet one. Here is my third recipe under the “Christmas Candies” theme. If you missed the first two, then click the links below to check out those two recipes.

    • Candied Orange Peels
    • No Bake Chocolate Fudge

    The Wait Time Making Homemade Gumdrops

    When it comes to candies, there is always a wait time involved. Like the orange peel candy, there is a wait time of 48 hours in this recipe as well. The preparation process is straightforward. You need to mix the agar-agar, water, sugar, and simmer until the sugar dissolves and then add your favorite flavor. Then add in your favorite food color and allow to set them in the molds. Then need to roll them in the sugar and let the sugar to crystallize which usually takes about 48 to 72 hours. So plan accordingly.

    Agar-Agar Homemade Gumdrops in a big white star dish

    The kiddo lost his patience towards the end. Every time during the sugar-coating process, he was gobbling a few candies. These gumdrops are hard to resist. I couldn’t photograph these as I planned. I had a different setup in mind, but the time was pressing; hence I went with this. Anyways without any further ado, here is the homemade gumdrops recipe.

    Homemade Gumdrops or Agar-Agar Gumdrops Recipe

    Ingredients:

    • Water – ¾ cup
    • Sugar – ⅓ cup
    • Agar-Agar – ¾ tsp
    • Green Food Color – ⅛ tsp
    • Red Food Color – ⅛ tsp
    • Sugar for coating – ½ cup
    • Orange Essence – ¼ tsp

    Steps:

    • Mix the agar-agar, water, and sugar in a bowl.

    Mixing agar-agar, water, and sugar in a bowl

    • Now simmer this for 5 minutes and make sure you are stirring at regular intervals. The agar-agar tends to get deposited in the bottom. So stirring helps a lot. 

    Simmering agar-agar

    • Now add the orange flavor and mix it thoroughly.
    • Separate into three equal parts and add the required food color and mix it again.

    Separating into three equal parts and adding the required food color

    • Pour into molds, or you can pour in any rimmed pan and refrigerate it.

    Pouring agar-agar into molds

    • It should set in about 30 to 40 minutes. I usually let it sit for atleast 4 hours.

    Letting agar-agar sit for some time

    • Carefully remove the gumdrops from the molds. Just press them out from the bottom, and it should come out quickly. 

    Removing the gumdrops from the molds

    • If you are not using the molds, then cut the gumdrops into desired shapes.

    Cutting the gumdrops into desired shapes

    • Take the sugar for coating in a bowl and coat the gumdrops generously with sugar and place them on the rimmed pan lined with parchment paper.

    Coating the gumdrops generously with sugar

    • Let this sit for 24 hours. The sugar coated might look thin and runny, and it is normal.

    Letting the sugar coat sit for 24 hours

    • Coat them again and let it sit for another 24 hours. By now the sugar should have crystallized if not coat the gumdrops with sugar again and allow it to set. After the second coating, it should set within 8 hours.

    Coating again and letting sit for another 24 hours

    • That’s it. Homemade gumdrops are ready. Store in an air-tight container

    Agar-Agar Homemade Gumdrops on a piece of paper with Christmas decorations

    Notes:

    • Depending upon the gel strength of the agar-agar adjust the amount. I went with the package instructions which mentioned ½ tsp of agar-agar for ½ cup of water. And I have linked the product that I used as well.
    • I used raw sugar, and the crystals were comparatively more prominent than the regular ones. If you use the regular white ones, it won’t stick out like mine.
    • The two days wait time is mandatory as sugar needs to crystallize. 
    • You can include flavors of your choice instead of orange.
    • Adding food colors is optional.
    • I used the molds for setting up the gumdrops. But you can pour it on a tray or rimmed pan and allow it set and cut it.
    • You can ignore the sugar coating process and make them like a jello-drop. Check my rose jello recipe for the same.

    Holding a cute little Agar-Agar Christmas tree gumdrop in the hand

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    5 from 5 votes

    Homemade Gumdrops | Agar-Agar Gumdrops

    Delicious gelatin-free, orange flavored sugar-coated homemade gumdrops.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Setting Time3 d
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 66kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup Water
    • ⅓ cup Sugar
    • ¾ tsp Agar-Agar
    • ⅛ tsp Green Food Color
    • ⅛ tsp Red Food Color
    • ½ cup Sugar for coating
    • ¼ tsp Orange Essence

    Instructions

    • Mix the agar-agar, water, and sugar in a bowl.
    • Now simmer this for 5 minutes and make sure you are stirring at regular intervals. The agar-agar tends to get deposited in the bottom. So stirring helps a lot.
    • Now add the orange flavor and mix it thoroughly.
    • Separate into three equal parts and add the required food color and remix it.
    • Pour into molds, or you can pour in any rimmed pan and refrigerate it. It should set in about 30 to 40 minutes. I usually let it sit for atleast 4 hours.
    • Carefully remove the gumdrops from the molds. Just press them out from the bottom, and it should come out quickly. If you are not using the molds, then cut the gumdrops into desired shapes.
    • Take the sugar for coating in a bowl and coat the gumdrops generously with sugar and place them on the rimmed pan lined with parchment paper.
    • Let this sit for 24 hours. The sugar coated might look thin and runny, and it is normal. Coat them again and let it sit for another 24 hours. By now the sugar should have crystallized if not coat the gumdrops with sugar again and allow it to set. After the second coating, it should set within 8 hours.
    • That's it. Homemade gumdrops are ready. Store in an air-tight container

    Notes

    • Depending upon the gel strength of the agar-agar adjust the amount. I went with the package instructions which mentioned ½ tsp of agar-agar for ½ cup of water. I have linked the product that I used as well.
    • I used raw sugar, and the crystals were comparatively more prominent than the regular ones. If you use the regular white ones, it won't stick out like mine.
    • The two days wait time is mandatory as sugar needs to crystallize.
    • You can include flavors of your choice instead of orange. Adding food colors is optional.
    • I used the molds for setting up the gumdrops. But you can pour it on a tray or rimmed pan and allow it set and cut it.
    • You can ignore the sugar coating process and make them like a jello-drop. Check my rose jello recipe for the same.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Sodium: 1mg | Sugar: 17g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

    Sending this recipe for the BM 95. Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#95

    P.S. Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest for more healthy and delicious ideas!

    You will love these, too:

    • Jackfruit Biryani | Instant Pot Tender Jackfruit Biryani
    • Matar Paneer
    • Easy Turmeric Milk | Golden Milk
    • Masala Pori | Spicy Puffed Rice
    • Zucchini Raita

    Homemade No Gelatin Gumdrops with Agar Agar collage with text overlay

    228 shares
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    Filed Under: Christmas, Festivals Tagged With: Agar-Agar Gumdrops, Blogging Marathon, edible christmas gifts, gumdrops, gumdrops recipe, gumdrops with agar agar, Homemade Gumdrops, sugar coated gum drops, vegetarian gumdrops

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 21, 2019 at 8:59 pm

      5 stars
      Vidhya, this is so brilliant. My little one loves fruit snacks and this looks just like that. I am going to be making this for sure. I have agar agar and he will be so happy if he sees this.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        January 21, 2019 at 9:17 pm

        :-) Thanks Sandhya. Please do try and let me know how they liked it.

        Reply
    2. Code2cook says

      January 21, 2019 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      my daughter will be so happy if I will make this for her. looking absolutely great and easy to make. bookmarking to try this, my kids will love these beauties.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        January 21, 2019 at 9:36 pm

        Thanks. Please do try and let me know.

        Reply
    3. Veena Krishnakumar says

      January 16, 2019 at 4:05 am

      wow. They look super cute. Vibha would love these. She picks up some jujups everytime she visits india

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        January 16, 2019 at 3:31 pm

        :-) Thanks Veena

        Reply
    4. Srivalli says

      January 09, 2019 at 12:42 am

      wow Srividhya, this is excellent, I never really looked into how these are made, so interesting and must make it sometime..

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        January 09, 2019 at 9:24 am

        Thanks Valli. Please do make them. I am sure you will like them.

        Reply
    5. preeti garg says

      December 28, 2018 at 6:01 am

      Wow.. one of mine childhood love.. love it.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        December 28, 2018 at 8:26 am

        :-) :-)

        Reply
    6. Gayathri Kumar says

      December 21, 2018 at 5:56 am

      These vegetarian gum drops look so colourful and festive. My daughter has been asking me to make them. Trying now would be perfect.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        December 21, 2018 at 12:55 pm

        Thanks Gayathri. Please do try and I am sure you daughter will love it.

        Reply
    7. Suma Gandlur says

      December 20, 2018 at 8:21 pm

      These gelatin free gumdrops are absolutely fantastic They look colorful and cutely shaped. Looking exactly like store bought. Good one, Vidhya.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        December 21, 2018 at 12:59 pm

        Thanks a lot Suma.

        Reply
    8. Swati says

      December 15, 2018 at 8:25 am

      5 stars
      Homemade gumdrops is something I won’t mind giving to my kids!! these look so colorful and tempting!!

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        December 16, 2018 at 3:11 pm

        Thanks Swati.

        Reply
    9. harini says

      December 15, 2018 at 6:29 am

      5 stars
      I am sure the wait was all worth it. I agree that it is an activity which can be enjoyed along with the kids.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        December 16, 2018 at 3:11 pm

        he he Thanks.

        Reply
    10. Priya Suresh says

      December 14, 2018 at 4:14 am

      Omg,, those gumdrops looks super cute and very attractive, wish i get a box of those cuties, prefect for xmas Vidhya, you have got them prefectly with agar agar.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        December 16, 2018 at 2:55 pm

        Thanks much Priya. I will send all those to you. :-)

        Reply
    11. Chitz says

      December 13, 2018 at 3:21 am

      They look so pretty.. As you said making these with kids would be sooper fun and an engaging activity :)

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        December 13, 2018 at 12:54 pm

        True Chitz.. Thanks much.

        Reply
    12. Usha says

      December 12, 2018 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      This is a fun activity to prepare these gumdrops with kids. It keeps them busy and also involve them in the preparation, specially filling and unmolding the molds.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        December 12, 2018 at 12:23 pm

        Very true Usha. Thanks :-)

        Reply

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