One thing that Helen seems to have inherited from her parents is her insatiable hunger. At least, it seems insatiable to me. Almost as soon as she wakes up in the morning (or from her nap), she’s asking for food.
Trying to think of healthy snacks for her can be a challenge sometimes, because when she’s hungry, she’s hungry NOW. I can’t really fault her, because Reuben and I are the same way.
So I like to keep a stash of snacks on hand that I can give to Helen when needed. I try to make sure they’re really healthy so I can feel good about her eating them. Making them myself is a great way to control the ingredients.
These sour gummies have only 4 simple, real-food ingredients. To really give these a nutritional punch, it’s important that you use high-quality gelatin. I used the Great Lakes beef gelatin, but I’ll be switching to the Vital Proteins gelatin once my can runs out.
Homemade Sour Fruit Gummies
recipe from Thank Your Body | PRINT
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cups lemon juice (you can use orange if you don’t like your gummies sour)
- 2/3 cup fresh or frozen fruit (I used frozen blueberries)
- 1-2 tablespoons honey (the amount depends on how sour your fruit is, and if you used lemon or orange juice)
- 5 tablespoons high-quality gelatin
Directions:
Line an 8×8 or 9×9 square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Place the juice and fruit in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit becomes soft. Add the honey.
Remove from heat and gradually add the gelatin, one tablespoons at a time, whisking intensely, until it’s mostly dissolved. You may have a few little lumps of gelatin, but that’s okay.
Allow the mixture to cool until you can touch it, then transfer to a blender (you could also use a stick blender if you have one). Blend until smooth.
Pour into prepared pan and place in the refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes or so. Pull the parchment paper out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Slice into little squares using a big, sharp knife. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes:
You could also pour the gelatin into silicone molds if you have any.
If you use a fruit with seeds (such as raspberries), you may want to strain the mixture before you add the gelatin.
Oh neat!! This is such a cool at-home recipe friend! Love the flavour too 🙂
This looks great! Do you know how long they will stay good in the fridge? Thanks!
Yeah, I thought it was really cool when I learned you could make your own gummies. 🙂
I think they should keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge, probably longer. 🙂
I'm wondering why you're no longer going to use the Great Lakes gelatin? Is there something better about the Vital Proteins brand?
I think that the Vital Proteins brand is a bit higher quality. The Great Lakes makes no mention of being from grass-fed cows on the package, whereas the Vital Proteins is pasture-raised. I think the Great Lakes gelatin is still a good choice, though.
I love making homemade gummies! My littles devour them too, as long as I make sure they aren't too tart. I feel confused about everyone's recommendation for gelatin though. I have been using Great Lakes and Bernard Jensen, which all the health bloggers used to recommend as being clean and properly raised. Now everyone is switching to Vital Proteins (which is a little more expensive), which I don't know if for sponsorship reasons or vast quality differences. (Same thing with this new Rosita cod liver oil brand!)
Your previous post is making me very happy I have homemade ice cream freezing right this minute! I will have to try that recipe next – right now it's Mexican chocolate.
I looked on the Great Lakes website, and they say that their cattle are grass-fed, but their hogs are not pastured. I think that the Vital Proteins is just a bit better quality, and perhaps some bloggers have been sponsored to talk about Vital Proteins. I won't give up on Great Lakes, but I want to try the Vital Proteins gelatin. I have their collagen peptides and I like it. And: I just bought a bottle of the Rosita cod liver oil! I wanted to try it out. 🙂
Yay for homemade ice cream! 😀 😀 😀