Get ready to celebrate the 4th of July with these patriotic red, white, and blue homemade gummies made from real fruit.
Homemade Gummies for the 4th
These homemade gummies are made with whole watermelon and blueberries, with a middle layer made from coconut milk. They may look hard to make, but they are actually really quite simple and are a fun dessert for the 4th of July. Most of the time involved is while they sit in the fridge–so you can do something else like go see a parade!
Easy Dessert for July 4th
When I was a kid, we spent most holidays like the 4th and Memorial Day with our neighbors and their kids. We’d go to the town events—the bike parade where we got to dress up our bikes in streamers was a favorite!—and we’d share a meal at one of the neighborhood houses. And there was always jello. Back then in the 80s, the jello was either in the form of a “salad”, which was molded and typically included sour cream and pineapple (and was mint green), or jigglers.
These are more similar to the latter as they are easy to pick up and nibble. But they are made with plain gelatin and fruit, so they skip over the artificial colors but keep all of the fun. You can make them extra special by making them in a silicone star mold, but they’re just as easy to make in an 8×8-inch baking pan.
Tips for Making the Best Homemade Gummies
- Pureeing the fruit smooth will help ensure that the final texture is smooth and jello-like.
- Taste the purees and add a little more sweetener if needed to suit your liking.
- Be sure to let them set for the full time to get nice and clean looking layers.
Homemade Gummies for the 4th of July
Ingredients
Red Layer
- 1 1/2 cups watermelon (pureed in a blender)
- 2 packets plain gelatin
White Layer
- 1 1/2 cups canned light coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 packets plain gelatin
Blue Layer
- 1 1/2 cup fresh (or frozen and thawed blueberries, pureed)
- 2 packets plain gelatin
Instructions
- Divide the pureed watermelon in half into two separate heat-proof bowls. Sprinkle the gelatin over one half and let sit for 1 minute. Whisk vigorously for 30 seconds. Heat the remaining portion for 30-45 seconds in the microwave until it comes to a boil. Whisk into the gelatin mixture for 30 seconds. Use 2 tablespoons per star if using a mold or pour into the bottom of an 8×8-inch pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Stir together the coconut milk, honey, and vanilla and divide in half into two separate heat-proof bowls. Sprinkle the gelatin over one half and let sit for 1 minute. Whisk vigorously for 30 seconds. Heat the remaining portion for 30-45 seconds in the microwave until it comes to a boil. Whisk into the gelatin mixture for 30 seconds. Use 2 tablespoons per star if using a mold or pour evenly onto the red layer in the 8×8-inch pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Divide the pureed blueberries in half into two separate heat-proof bowls. Sprinkle the gelatin over one half and let sit for 1 minute. Whisk vigorously for 30 seconds. Heat the remaining portion for 30-45 seconds in the microwave until it comes to a boil. Whisk into the gelatin mixture for 30 seconds. Use 2 tablespoons per star if using a mold or layer onto the coconut mixture in the 8×8-inch pan, spreading with a spatula if needed. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.
- Keep in the molds or pan for up to 3 days until ready to serve, covered tightly with plastic wrap. Carefully remove from the stars, loosening the edges before you try to pop them out, or slice into squares and lift out of the pan carefully.
question–how much gelatin is in those packets? I’m going to try the agar powder sub.
A Knox packet has about 2 1/2 teaspoons (7g) gelatin. I’d love to know how the agar works!