Go Back

Vibrant Gummy Fruit Sticks

Achieve that perfect chewy texture and bakery-bright color spectrum with this foolproof homemade gummy recipe. These rectangular fruit sticks are heavily coated in coarse sugar, resulting in a vibrant and nostalgic mosaic of blue, green, red, purple, and orange.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 24 sticks
Course: Candy, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 85
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Base Gummy Mixture
  • 1 cup fruit juice reduction (see notes) OR 1 cup water with flavoring concentrate
  • 0.25 cup unsweetened fruit puree (optional) adds flavor/texture
  • 0.33 cup high-bloom gelatin powder (approx. 45-50g) knox or similar
  • 0.5 cup light corn syrup viscosity/chew
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 tsp citric acid (optional) for sour punch
  • 1 dash Gel food coloring (required colors: vibrant blue, green, red, purple, orange) add as needed
Sugar Coating
  • 1.5 cups coarse granulated sugar (sanding sugar recommended)

Equipment

  • Digital kitchen scale
  • Rectangular/stick gummy mold
  • Mixing bowls
  • Large spatula
  • Saucepan
  • Piping bags or dropper

Method
 

  1. Lightly spray rectangular gummy molds with non-stick spray, then use a paper towel to wipe out excess oil.
  2. In a medium bowl, bloom gelatin powder by sprinkling it evenly over the fruit liquid (juice reduction or water concentrate). Let it sit for 10 minutes without stirring.
  3. Once bloomed, add sugar, light corn syrup, and citric acid (if using). Gently whisk to combine.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and heat over *very* low heat. Stir constantly and gently, but do not boil. Heat only until sugar and gelatin dissolve completely (about 10-15 minutes). The mixture must be transparent and smooth.
  5. Immediately remove from heat. Divide the base liquid into five small bowls.
  6. Gently fold one color (blue, green, red, purple, orange) of gel coloring into its respective bowl until uniform.
  7. Using piping bags or droppers, fill the prepared molds with the colored gummy liquids.
  8. Allow the gummies to set at room temperature (in a cool, dry place) for 6 hours or overnight. (Do not refrigerate, as this can make them unpleasantly rubbery).
  9. Once set, peel the gummies from the mold. Gently toss each gummy stick in a bowl of coarse granulated sugar until completely and evenly coated.
  10. Pile into a small white bowl (like the image), haphazardly creating the vibrant mosaic. Serve.

Notes

Using gel food coloring is essential for achieving the intense, neon colors shown in the photo, as liquid coloring adds too much water and can weaken the gel. Citric acid adds necessary sharpness for that classic sour gummy flavor.