Gummies, what is with the texture that people love so much. They have love hate relationship in our house…my kids love them- I hate what they do to their behaviour. My sweet children become children akin to zombie apocalypse after eating just a few.
I instantly became the evil no fun mom when I told them – no more. I lived half a school year with this banner over my head. My kids complained they were no longer cool. Then Christmas came. I knew I needed to find an alternative before they went back or I would be branded for life. The local store had organic juices on sale I picked up a few different flavours and some vegan gelatine Agar.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22
A few test batches and one amazon delivery of silicone mould later- BINGO! Beautiful soft chewy gummies that the kids pop in their mouths. “Well -these are pretty good” Success. I am back in the good books. Best of all kids love to pick their own “flavours”.
It’s a super simple 1:1 ratio. 1 cup liquid to 1 TB agar agar powder. It is very versatile, but I still would still step away from tropical fruits – pineapple, kiwi, papaya, ginger root or guava – as enzymes in it may prevent it from setting.
I like to use the organic fruit & vegetable juice blends, I prefer to use pasteurized as I know they will last awhile for lunches. I have done so with great success. But really this can be done with any liquid. I have also made flavoured kombucha gummies in the past, as well as adult only wine gummies as gifts with the same recipe. **Can you say cheers!
Sometimes depending on flavours – like cranberry or vegetables you may feel like sweetening is required – simply add your desired sweetener. But sweeting is totally optional. It will not change the setting of the recipe by omitting it. I often do so for my children. Get creative – Sky is totally the limit.
Vegan Gummies
- 1 cup Liquid – Juice
- Up to 2 tbsp vegan sugar or Maple syrup (optional)
- 1 tbsp Agar agar powder
- Put your mould into the freezer. Any mould such as chocolate or ice cube works well for this.
- Mix all the ingredients together in a pan and whisk to dissolve the agar agar.
- Bring to a simmer while stirring constantly.
- Simmer for 3 mins and keep stirring to stop any lumps forming.
- Take off the heat and leave to cool for 5 mins.
- Pour into the mould and place in the freezer for 10 mins.
- Pop the sweets out of the mould and either enjoy straight away or keep in the fridge and eat within a couple of days
The Gentle Donkey 