Help! My DIY vitamin gummies turned into a gooey mess - need recipe tips!
Hey everyone! I'm a broke college student trying to save money on vitamins by making my own gummies at home. I bought some gelatin and a multivitamin powder, but my first batch was a total fail. They never set properly and stayed super sticky, even after hours in the fridge. I used 2 tablespoons of gelatin per cup of juice, but maybe that's not enough? Also, does the type of juice matter? I used orange juice. Any advice would be awesome! I can't afford to keep wasting ingredients.
Oh no, that sounds frustrating! The gelatin ratio might be off. Typically, you need about 1 tablespoon of gelatin per cup of liquid for a firm gummy, but it can vary depending on the brand. Also, some juices have enzymes that break down gelatin, like pineapple or papaya, but orange should be fine. Did you bloom the gelatin first? That's key: sprinkle it over cold liquid, let it sit for 5 minutes, then heat gently until dissolved. Also, vitamin powders can interfere with setting if they contain certain fillers. Maybe try agar agar instead? It's vegan and sets firmer, but you need to boil it. Let me know if you want a basic recipe!
Honestly, I tried DIY gummies once and it was a disaster. I ended up with a sticky blob that stuck to my teeth. I'd rather just buy them from the store, even if it costs more. But hey, if you're determined, maybe add a little honey or corn syrup to help with texture? And definitely use a mold or a silicone tray. Also, are you sure your vitamin powder is meant for gummies? Some aren't heat-stable, so you might be losing potency. Just my two cents.
Thanks Nancy and Lily! I didn't bloom the gelatin - I just dumped it in hot juice. Oops. I'll try that next time. And I'll check the vitamin powder label for heat stability. Lily, I get the appeal of store-bought, but I'm trying to cut costs. Plus, it's kinda fun to experiment, even if I fail. Nancy, I'd love that basic recipe if you have it!
No problem, Holly! Here's a simple recipe: - 1 cup fruit juice (no pulp) - 2 tbsp gelatin (or 1 tbsp agar agar) - 1-2 tbsp honey or sweetener - Vitamin powder (check dosage) Sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup cold juice, let sit 5 min. Heat remaining juice, add honey, then add bloomed gelatin and stir until dissolved. Don't boil. Add vitamin powder off heat, mix well. Pour into molds and refrigerate 2 hours. For agar, boil for 1-2 min. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.