How to Make Gummy Bears: A Comprehensive Guide

I. Introduction

Gummy bears are a beloved candy that have been around since the 1920s. They are enjoyed by people of all ages and have become a popular snack all over the world.

However, as much as we love them, have you ever thought about making homemade gummy bears? It is a fun and exciting process that allows you to customize the flavors and shapes, and even add a little bit of alcohol! In this article, we will guide you through the steps of making gummy bears and provide suggestions for classic and alternative recipes that are compatible with dietary restrictions.

II. Classic Gummy Bears

If it is your first time making gummy bears, we suggest starting with a classic recipe. You will need:

• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of corn syrup
• 1 package of flavored gelatin (3oz)
• 2 packages of unflavored gelatin (1oz each)
• Plastic gummy bear molds

Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you will need to:

1. Pour the water and corn syrup into a saucepan and mix over medium heat.
2. Gradually add the flavored and unflavored gelatin into the mixture while continuously stirring.
3. Once the gelatin has dissolved, remove the saucepan from heat.
4. Use a dropper to fill the gummy bear molds with the mixture
5. Let the mixture set in the molds for about 30 minutes at room temperature.
6. Pop the gummy bears out of the molds and enjoy!

III. Flavors and Combinations

If you want to experiment with flavors of gummy bears, you are in luck. There are countless options to choose from that you can mix and match to create unique combinations.

Popular brands like Haribo offer flavors such as raspberry, grapefruit, and apple. You can add extracts to the gelatin mixture to attain a variety of flavors, or you can mix two or more gelatin flavors together. Another idea is to make multiple batches in different flavors and combine them in a single mold to make multi-colored gummy bears!

IV. Alternative Options

If you have dietary restrictions, we found some alternative gummy bear recipes using agar agar instead of gelatin. Agar agar is a vegan alternative to gelatin that comes from seaweed and provides the same consistency.

You will need:

• 1 cup of fruit juice (whatever flavor you prefer)
• 1 tsp of agar agar powder
• 1/4 cup of sugar

To make the gummy bears:

1. In a saucepan, mix the fruit juice, agar agar, and sugar.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring.
3. Once it boils, remove it from the heat and wait for it to cool down slightly.
4. Use a dropper to fill the gummy bear molds with the mixture.
5. Set them in the refrigerator for an hour and then pop them out of the molds and enjoy!

V. Giant Gummy Bears

For a fun activity with kids or a unique party favor, you can make giant gummy bears! You can even add food coloring to make them more eye-catching.

You will need:

• 1 ½ cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of unflavored Gelatine
• 2 packages of flavored gelatin (3oz each)
• Parchment paper
• Large plastic container or tray for the mold

To make the giant gummy bears:

1. Mix the water, unflavored gelatin, and flavored gelatin in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir until the gelatin has dissolved, and remove the saucepan from heat.
3. Line the tray with the parchment paper and pour the mixture into it.
4. Let it set for 2 hours in the refrigerator, or overnight at room temperature.
5. Cut the giant gummy bear into smaller sizes with a sharp knife and enjoy!

VI. Starting a Gummy Bear Business

If you’ve mastered the art of gummy bear-making, why not start a business? Here are some tips to help:

• Get the necessary equipment, including gummy bear molds, a candy thermometer, and mixing bowls.
• Apply for necessary licenses, permits and get insurance for your business.
• Price your products and research your target market demographics.
• Build an online presence and market your candy using social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Test your product, and get feedback from people around you. You can give out free samples, run promotions, participate in charity events, etc.

VII. Gummy Bears with Alcohol

If you want to try making gummy bears with a twist, you can infuse them with different types of alcohol. However, we suggest consuming them responsibly and keeping them away from children.

To make alcohol-infused gummy bears, you will need:

• 1 cup of hard liquor (vodka, rum, tequila, etc.)
• 1 package of flavored gelatin (3 oz)
• 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin

To make alcohol-infused gummy bears:

1. Mix the hard liquor, flavored gelatin, and unflavored gelatin in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir until the gelatin has dissolved, and remove the saucepan from heat.
3. Use a dropper to fill the gummy bear molds with the mixture
4. Let it set in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
5. Pop the gummy bears out of the molds and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

VIII. Healthy Options

For those seeking a healthier option for gummy bears, you can substitute sugar with honey or maple syrup and use natural ingredients.

You will need:

• 1/2 cup of pureed fruit (whatever fruit you desire)
• 3 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin

To make low-sugar gummy bears:

1. Mix the pureed fruit and honey in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the unflavored gelatin while continuously stirring.
3. Once the gelatin has dissolved, remove the saucepan from heat.
4. Use a dropper to fill the gummy bear molds with the mixture.
5. Let the mixture set in the molds for about an hour in the refrigerator.
6. Pop the gummy bears out of the molds and enjoy!

IX. Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know how to make gummy bears from scratch. We covered classic and alternative recipes, flavors, giant gummy bears, starting a business, alcohol-infused gummy bears, and even low-sugar options. We hope this guide has inspired you to be creative and experiment with different flavors and combinations of gummy bears.