Q&A for How to Make Gummy Bears

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  • Question
    Can I put the gummy in the fridge rather than letting it cool down on the counter?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. This will make the cooling process quicker. You can even use a freezer for them to solidify, but don't leave them in for too long or they will turn into polar gummy bears.
  • Question
    Can I make gummy bears with Jell-O instead of gelatin?
    Community Answer
    No. The unflavored gelatin is an essential ingredient, as it's what makes them gummy. You can use Jell-O and unflavored gelatin together to make gummy bears, but not Jell-O alone.
  • Question
    How do I make sour gummy bears?
    Community Answer
    Add a small quantity of citric acid to the liquid as soon as you turn off the heat.
  • Question
    Can I use corn starch as a mold?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Lay out a thick layer of cornstarch and imprint the design you want your gummy candy to be, and pour the candy mixture into the imprint.
  • Question
    Can I use xylitol?
    Community Answer
    I use Xylitol instead of sugar - Ratio is 1:1 - basically same amount as what the recipe calls for in regular granulated sugar.
  • Question
    Can I add 75 grams of gelatin to make gummy bears?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how many gummy bears you want. For example, if you want 10 bears, 75 grams will make them a bit hard, so it really depends on the amount gummy bears you want and advising you on this specificity isn't possible without knowing your desired end amount.
  • Question
    Can I make a gummy in a bottle?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Just pour the mixture into a plastic bottle instead of a gummy bear mold. When the gummy is solid, carefully cut around the bottle to remove it.
  • Question
    Do these gummy bears smell bad?
    Community Answer
    No. If they have a bad odor, throw them out; the only odor should be of the flavoring you added to the mixture.
  • Question
    How can I make them taste more like candy and less like rubber?
    Community Answer
    You can add more flavoring besides the J-ello.
  • Question
    Can sorghum, sugar beet syrup or molasses be used instead of corn syrup?
    Community Answer
    Since gelatin is a tasteless and odorless compound that contains no fat, sweeteners and flavorings are added to give gummy candy its taste. Various sugars are added as sweeteners. Sucrose, derived from beets or sugar cane, provides a high degree of sweetness to the gummy candy. Fructose, which is significantly sweeter than common sucrose, is another sugar that is often used. Corn syrup is also used because it helps prevent the other sugars from crystallizing and ruining the gummy texture. Also, corn syrup helps add body to the candy, maintain moisture, and keep costs lower. Another sweetener is sorbitol, which has the added benefit of helping the candy maintain its moisture content.
  • Question
    Can you replace gelatin with agar powder in the classic bears, or will it affect the texture?
    Community Answer
    No, you must use the gelatin its the central ingredient. If you do not use the gelatin it will ruin the the texture and consistency along with the flavor.
  • Question
    Do I need to use sorbitol to make gummy bears?
    Community Answer
    I have made this recipe without using sorbitol before. The taste is unaffected, but the texture is a little bit off. You end up with something a little bit more like Jell-O than a traditional gummy. They are still delicious, though.
  • Question
    How long does it take the regular gummy bears to harden?
    Community Answer
    Roughly 12 hours, like regular Jell-O. Check on them every 3 hours.
  • Question
    Can I use unflavored gelatin and add a flavoring of my choice?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. You can use either flavored jello or flavored essences.
  • Question
    Can I make gummy bears without gelatin? Is there a substitute?
    Community Answer
    Yes, there is an alternative for gelatin. You can use agar-agar powder, but you will need something to make it gummy.
  • Question
    Can I bloom the gelatin in alcohol (vodka, rum, etc.) instead of using water?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you have to wait until you have made your bears. Then put your bears in a bowl, add your vodka, let them sit at least an hour or two to let the bears absorb the alcohol.
  • Question
    Do these have to be refrigerated after they are completed, or can I then store them in a candy dish for people to snack on?
    Community Answer
    Storing the gummy bears in the refrigerator helps them to last longer. Use an airtight container. Snacks should never be left around for helping oneself to at any time, as it encourages bad eating habits.
  • Question
    Can I use sugar to make the gummies not sticky?
    Community Answer
    Candy manufactures such as Haribo have drying rooms. You can get the same effect by placing the gummies in a food dehydrator.
  • Question
    Can I use essence instead of flavoring?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    How do I store the gummies once they have set?
    Community Answer
    In the fridge in an air-tight container. You could also try to use a Ziploc bag.
  • Question
    Do I have to add the corn syrup?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes, the corn syrup helps form the gummy texture.
  • Question
    How do I measure 140g in water?
    Community Answer
    One milliliter of water is one gram, so 140mL would be 140g. That's just a little over half a cup of water.
  • Question
    Do they need to be refrigerated or can they be left in dry storage? And how long do they last?
    Community Answer
    They need to be refrigerated for 15-20 minutes, but they don't need to be stored there. They don't spoil, they just get hard when they become stale.
  • Question
    How much would this make?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how big your gummy bear molds are. It makes about 1/2 cup of gel.
  • Question
    Can I use juice instead of water and flavored gelatin?
    Community Answer
    You will likely need to add the gelatin in order for the consistency to be correct.
  • Question
    How much sugar is needed to make gummy bears?
    Community Answer
    You actually don't need sugar, you only need unflavored gelatin and Jello.
  • Question
    Do I have to use unflavored gelatin?
    Community Answer
    You can use agar powder as a substitute for gelatin in this recipe.
  • Question
    How long do I put them in the oven?
    Community Answer
    This recipe does not require any baking. Once you're done mixing all the ingredients on the stove, pour your mixture into the molds and let it chill in the fridge for a few hours.
  • Question
    How many tsp is 12g?
    Community Answer
    It depends where you live. In America, gelatin is sold in 7g packets, but in the UK, you can get it in 12g packets. If you're still unsure, use measuring spoons. Some tell you how many grams there are in a teaspoon, and the rest is just a matter of simple math!
  • Question
    At what point and how would I mix in cannabis oil?
    Community Answer
    At the end, before pouring in the mold. This will not burn off excess THC and give the gummy that flavor.
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