Homemade Gummy Bears

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Medium

These small chewy bears are made with gelatin, sugar, corn syrup and a little citric acid, then dried for a day so they get the firm bite of the store-bought kind. Makes 100 bears in about 25 hr 35 min.

Prep 25 min

Cook 10 min

Cooling 25 hr

Total 25 hr 35 min

Yield 100 bears

Diet Dairy free, Gluten free

Ingredients

Adjust yield

bears

3 tbsp (28 g)unflavored gelatin
¼ cup (60 ml)cold water
¼ cup (60 ml)fruit juice or water
½ cup (100 g)granulated sugar
¼ cup (85 g)light corn syrup
½ tsp (2 g)citric acid, dissolved in 10 ml water
½ tsp (3 ml)fruit flavoring
¼ tsp (1 ml)food coloring

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Instructions

Lightly oil a silicone bear mold and the dropper that comes with it, wiping out any excess.
Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let it bloom 5 minutes.
Warm the juice, sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil.
Stir in the bloomed gelatin off the heat until completely smooth and no grains remain.
Stir in the citric acid solution, flavoring and color.
Quickly fill the mold with the dropper, skimming off any bubbles with a toothpick.
Refrigerate 30 to 45 minutes until firm, then pop out the bears.
Spread them on a rack in a cool, dry spot and let them air-dry for 24 hours, turning once, until chewy and firm.

Tips

Keep the mixture warm and fluid; if it thickens, set the pan in hot water.
Drying is what gives the real gummy-bear chew.
Use one flavor per batch so the color matches.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make homemade gummy bears?

Plan on 25 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking, plus 25 hours to chill. The recipe makes 100 bears.

How should I store homemade gummy bears?

Store airtight at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

Can I make homemade gummy bears ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 100 servings this recipe makes.

8 Calories / serving

0.0g Fat

1.7g Carbs

0.2g Protein

1.3g Sugar

Whole recipe (100 servings): ~800 cal · 0g fat · 170g carbs · 20g protein · 130g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.