DIY gummy candy.

We are at 18 inches of snow and counting and the older boys are clamoring to get out there.  But it's snowing very hard right now and I'm trying to convince them to wait a bit.  They always forget how uncomfortable they become when the snow is actively falling on them, no matter how fun the play.  I figure I've got roughly one hour or so before they tie me up and do whatever they want.  Until then, I tried to get them into the kitchen for a bit to try out a project I've had my eye on--DIY gummy candy.

DIY Gummy Candy

idea and recipe from Not So Idle Hands

Ingredients

• 2 three oz. packages of flavored Jello
• 6 envelopes of unflavored gelatin, like Knox
• 2/3 cup of cold water + half of a 1/3 c. 
• glass measuring cup, preferably with a spout
• double-boiler or small pot with several inches of water
• some type of candy mold, *recommend smaller shapes if possible--we used medium sized heart molds and found it was almost too much gummy for little ones to handle.  (Because they have to bite it--can't just pop it entirely into their mouths.  This means, of course, that little hands will set them down or press them upon, say, their fuzzy pajamas.  And because the gummies are tacky, they pick up everything...and watching a toddler down a gummy that's magically grown fur is gross.)

Directions

• Measure the water into the glass measuring cup.  Slowly stir in the gelatin and Jello, adding a bit at  a time and stirring after each addition.  Cover and let sit for 10 minutes.  Place pot of water to boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
• After 10 minutes, the mixture should look thick.  Place the glass measuring cup into your pot of water and gently stir until mixture melts.  Be careful not to burn the mixture but allow it to fully melt (all of the granules should dissolve).  This took me five or so minutes.
• After mixture is fully liquified, pour into molds--be careful because glass measuring cup will be hot. 
• Place molds into the refridgerator or freezer for 5-10 minutes for the gummies to set up.
• Once set, the kidlets should be able to pull them right out of the molds--they're impressively resilient.

The boys loved them.  I do too because they are not overly sweet and are a great option for holiday themed goodies (mini green shamrock gummies!  mini Easter bunnies!)...must keep a lookout for teensy molds.  And I might make something custom for the boys' joint birthday party if they could ever settle on a theme.

 Enjoy!