Gummy Bears and Fruit Jelly Candies

Ingredients for Homemade Gummy Candies

• 125 ml fresh orange or lemon juice, or high-quality juice
• approximately 660 ml soft fruit, such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apricots, or mango
• 75 ml agar
• 1 tbsp honey, maple syrup, date syrup, or another sweetener to taste
• a small amount of citric acid for a sour version

Recommended Tools

• silicone bear/worm mold

Production Process

1. Preparing the fruit: Wash the fruit, peel and pit if needed, and cut into small pieces. The riper and softer the fruit, the smoother your mixture will be.
2. Cooking: Pour 125 ml orange or lemon juice into a small pot. Add the prepared fruit and heat gently until the fruit softens. There is no need for rapid boiling; just heat gently and let the fruit soften.
3. Sweetening: Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool briefly. Add honey, maple syrup, date syrup, or other sweeteners to taste. If your fruit is very sweet, start with less sweetener.
4. Blending: Blend the mixture until smooth. If you want really smooth candies, you can strain through a fine sieve, especially for fruits with seeds.
5. Adding agar: Add agar and mix or briefly blend well to avoid lumps. Then, bring to a short boil according to the instructions on your specific agar packaging. Agar usually needs heating and a short simmer to activate its gelling properties.
6. Filling the mold: Pour the prepared mixture into the silicone bear/worm mold. Work slowly to fill all the small shapes properly. Excess mixture can be scraped away with a spatula.
7. Setting: Place the mold in the refrigerator and let the gummies set well. Smaller shapes usually set faster, but for best results give them at least a few hours in the fridge.
8. Removing from the mold: Carefully press out the solidified candies from the silicone mold. If they stick too firmly, chill them a little longer.
9. Sour version: For sour candies, you can lightly coat them after setting in a mixture of sugar and a small amount of citric acid. Start very gently, as citric acid has a strong flavor.

Store the finished gummies in a closed container in the fridge and try to consume them within a few days. Since these are homemade and preservative-free, they won’t last as long as store-bought candy.

Function of Each Ingredient

Fruit Juice: Adds flavor, liquid, and natural tartness. Orange makes for a milder taste, lemon gives a sharper, fresher result.

Fruit: The main flavor base. The color, sweetness, and consistency vary according to the fruit used. Strawberries, raspberries, or mango give a stronger flavor, while apple or pear provide a milder base.

Agar: Agar is a plant-based gelling agent that helps the mixture set. The texture is firmer and less bouncy than common gelatin. Follow the instructions for your specific agar for best results.

Sweetener: Honey, maple syrup, or date syrup balance the flavor. The amount depends on the sweetness of your fruit and how sweet you want your gummies.

Citric Acid: Citric acid gives the candies a sour note. It's perfect for final coating if you want sour gummies. Use sparingly as it's very flavorful.

Silicone Mold: Silicone bear/worm mold helps create regular small shapes and makes unmolding easy. The shape turns the fruit mixture into fun candies kids will love.

Homemade gummy candies are a good recipe for moments when you want a simple project with a clear result. Start with one kind of fruit, less sweetener, and see what texture you like most. You can find all tools and ingredients at Ekokoza, and if you need help choosing a mold or need advice, we’re here for you.