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Homemade Fruit Snacks

This month we are featuring a fun (and slightly healthier) take on a kid favorite nibble – fruit snacks. We will provide all of the ingredients that you need to make your own, homemade fruit snacks using fresh and local ingredients.

Equipment

  • 1 Large Bowl
  • 1 Spoon for stirring
  • 1 Cheesecloth square
  • 1 Saucepan or microwave-safe bowl

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Fruit Juice Make fresh from about 1/2 pound of fruit
  • 1-2 tsp Sugar Depending upon your taste
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Gelatin Powder

Instructions

Make Your Juice

  • Wash and remove any stems or bad fruit pieces. Smash a little.
  • Heating Options: Over low heat on a stove, gently simmer fruit (little bubbles) for 5-10 minutes, stirring often. OR in a microwave, heat for 2 minutes, stir, and heat for another 2 minutes. Allow mixture to cool.
  • Layer cheesecloth in a bowl.
  • Smash the fruit with the back of a big spoon and pour into the cheesecloth.
  • Gently gather the corners of the cheesecloth and twist to squeeze out the fruit juice.

Make Your Gummy Mixture

  • Measure 1/2 cup of juice. Add a little water, if needed.
  • Combine juice and sugar in your heating pan or bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over the mixture and allow to sit 5 minutes, until the gelatin softens and absorbs juice.
  • Heating Options: Over low heat on a stove, slowly stir the juice mixture until the gelatin and sugar dissolve completely. OR in a microwave, heat in 15 second bursts, stirring between, until the gelatin and sugar are dissolved and the mixture is warm.

Fill Your Molds

  • It is best to work with your mixture while it is still somewhat warm. It is okay to re-warm the mixture (gently!) if it becomes too firm.
  • Use a spoon or pipette to fill each cavity. It is better to have less mixture than it is to overflow. A smooth walled dish can work as a large mold or silicone chocolate molds work to make smaller more intricate designed fruit snacks.
  • Allow mixture to cool completely until the fruit snacks are firm. They can be cut into squares at this time. Any sugar or sour mix dipping should be done immediately before eating. These fruit snacks may melt if they become too warm