Thursday, April 9, 2015

Strawberry Lemonade Gelatin Gummies!

The average "fruit snack" product found on store shelves will most likely contain an ingredient list that looks something like this:

"Fruit Juice from Concentrate (Apple, Pear), Corn Syrup, Sugar, Modified Food Starch (Corn), Gelatin, Sorbitol, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Mineral Oil (Adds a Trivial Amount of Fat), Carnauba Wax (Adds a Trivial Amount of Fat), Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1."

Yeeeeeeesh... That's a lot of ingredients. And some of those ingredients require warning labels in other countries due to the known side effects and other health risks involved in consuming them. These are often a go-to snack for kids. What if we could find (or make) a better option?

After doing some of my own research on the health benefits of gelatin, I found that it can be helpful for reducing inflammation, boosting hair, skin, and nail growth, aiding in digestion, and boosting the immune system. That's a product we "autoimmuner's" are looking for in our diet!


I looked into some recipes to get a basic idea, then I experimented to make my own Strawberry Lemonade Gelatin Gummies. These are SO EASY to make, take less than 10 minutes, and only use 5 ingredients! I promise that you can pronounce them all and eat them with confidence! See how cute they are? 


Ok, here's the step by step with the full recipe at the bottom...
First, take some frozen strawberries and chop them into smaller chunks like this:
When you have one cup of chopped strawberries, dump them in a blender or food processor. Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the strawberries in the blender. If you juice your own lemons, that equals out to the juice of about 3 lemons.

Add 1/4 cup of filtered water to the strawberries and lemon juice in the blender. Blend until it comes together, all smooth and pretty...

Poor into a saucepan on the stove, but don't turn the heat on yet! Add 1 and 1/2 TBSP of honey to the fruit and stir it in to the cold mixture. 
Wire whisk's are wonderful, aren't they? 
While the mixture is still cold, add 1/4 cup of gelatin and stir to combine. If you're curious about what kind of gelatin to use, I prefer this brand:
Great Lakes uses Gelatin made from grass fed beef and is a brand I trust! Amazon sells it and you can check it out here:


Once you add the gelatin, turn the heat on LOW. Continue stirring the mixture for 5-10 minutes. As it begins to heat up, it will become very thin. When it is combined and warm, pour the mixture into a silicone mold that is supported by a baking sheet underneath.

If you don't have silicone molds, you can just pour the mixture into a baking dish and cut into squares after it cools. I used this silicone mold because I like all the cute little shapes.


Then slide the pan with the mold on it (or your baking dish) into the fridge and let set for 1 hour. After an hour, pop them out of the molds and store in a container in the fridge!



These make great little snacks!

Ok, in case you had trouble following, here's the recipe:

  • 1 cup chopped, frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup filtered water
  • 1 1/2 TBSP honey
  • 1/4 cup gelatin
     Add strawberries, lemon juice, and water to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Pour into a pan on the stove, but DO NOT turn the burner on yet! Stir in the honey. Add the gelatin and stir to combine. Turn the heat on LOW and continue to stir for 5-10 minutes until the mixture turns thin and is warm. Pour into silicone mold or baking dish. Refrigerate for one hour to allow the gelatin to set. Remove from molds and store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!!!

This recipe has been shared on Phoenix Helix AIP Recipe Rountable!

4 comments:

  1. Hi!
    Thanks for the recipe! Do the strawberries need to be frozen? Can I use fresh instead?

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    Replies
    1. Although I've never tried it with fresh, I would imagine it would work just fine! Just be sure that the blended mixture is cold before you add in the gelatin. :)

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  2. Excited to try this as a healthy version of fruit snacks for my kids! You mentioned filtered water; does filtered water from my fridge work? Why filtered? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. I always use filtered water due to the chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals often added by water companies to make it "safe" to drink. Filtered water from your fridge should at least remove some chlorine. Just use the best option you have. :)

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