Make Gummy Bears

Gummy bears are cute sweet treats that you can buy in the store, or make yourself. You can actually create all kinds of gummy creatures (depending on your molds) and in whatever colors you like!

Ingredients

 * 3 packages gelatin (packages that come in a box each package represents about 3/4 tablespoon)
 * 2 tablespoons flavored Jello packages with no sugar
 * 1 tablespoon Kool-Aid (flavor to match Jello)
 * 1/2 cup ice water
 * Candy molds
 * Optional: another tablespoon of unflavored gelatin
 * Optional: 1/4 cup of evaporated cane sugar (crystallized)

Sour Gummy Bears

 * 1) Mix the gelatin with the Kool-Aid and Jello.
 * 2) Slowly add gelatin, Kool-Aid, and Jell-o to 1/2 of a cup of water.
 * 3) Mix well in a bowl, not too fast but not too slow.
 * 4) Allow to stand until mixture looks slushy or liquidy.
 * 5) Microwave the mixture on high for 1 minute and 15 seconds (or just until the top of the mixture bubbles or foams).
 * 6) Carefully fill candy molds with an eye dropper with the now liquidy mixture.
 * 7) Put the molds in a freezer for 10 minutes, or overnight.
 * 8) Remove from freezer, and remove the candy from the candy molds.
 * 9) Store them in airtight containers or Ziplock bag.

Sweet Gummy Bears

 * 1) Add about another tablespoon of unflavored gelatin and about a 1/4 cup of  evaporated cane sugar (crystallized).

Tips

 * These timings may be a little off, so pay close attention to what you are doing.
 * The candy might stick to flimsy plastic molds, so try to get sturdy ones.
 * A very light coating of food-grade mineral oil, coconut oil, or even non-stick cooking spray can be used to line the plastic mold to make it easier for the candy to release when it is ready.
 * Use ingredients without artificial colors (the coal tar dyes are noted by the markings FD&C (e.g. FD&C Yellow #5) in the USA and E (e.g. E102) in Europe.). Double blind placebo studies have shown adverse affects in children, such as enhancing the effects of ADHD.
 * Don’t limit yourself to just gummy bears. There are hundreds of different candy molds available.
 * A plastic squeeze bottle makes it much neater and easier to fill the candy molds.
 * Be sure to make a lot. These gummy bears disappear quickly.

Warnings

 * Like any other food preparation, pay attention to what you're doing. A minute of drifting off can cause an accident or ruin your food.
 * Gelatin is unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans, and commonly available gelatin is unsuitable for those who keep kosher or halal. Kosher and halal gelatin variants may be available in specialty stores that cater to those practices, but may also have different properties as a result.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Make Candy Sushi
 * How to Make Rainbow Jello
 * How to Make Candy Airplanes

Sources and Citations

 * http://www.recipezaar.com/40338 - Original recipe upon which this article is based.