Homemade Gummy Worms

Do your kids like gummy candy?  Mine does.  I don't even buy the stuff and he loves it.  But, doesn't that seem like the nature of kids - they want the stuff that they don't have on a regular basis and that other kids have.  So, when I found out how easy it is to make my own gummy candy I jumped at the opportunity.  The ingredients are simple:  jello, unflavored gelatin and water.  I have used both sugared and sugar free jello in making this recipe at home as I am still torn on my preference for decreasing the amount of sugar that my child consumes and decreasing his exposure to artificial sugar.  Just know that you can choose what is right for your family and it will work fine with this recipe.  Bonus, these are easy and fun to make with your kids.  My son thinks it is fun to open all the packets and pour them into the pan and stir.

Are you dying to know how to do it yet?  Here you go:

1 package sugar free jello

5 packages unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup water

Mix all ingredients together in a small sauce pan.  As you mix it all together, it will get thicker until it is almost the consistency of play-dough.  Then heat over low until completely melted.  Pour into 8 x 8 pan and place in freezer for about five minutes or until set.  If you want to have two colored gummy worms then repeat this process with another flavor of jello while the first color is in the freezer and then add to the top of the other color and return to freezer until set.

The just pull the entire blob of jello out of the pan.  It will come out in one big block.  Then use a pizza cutter to cut into strips or worms.  Just so you know, you cannot use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the blob.  I tried - it was not successful.  If you want to have gummy shapes, then you can use a candy mold and pour the melted jello mixture into the individual molds and let set.  Then, just pop them out of the molds.  I would like to try this, but my son is pretty hooked on having gummy worms.

I also know that there are some ways to try this from scratch without the jello and maybe with real juices, but I have not gotten that experimental just yet.  But, I will let you know when I do!

Enjoy!