Fruit Snacks

Several weeks ago I attempted to replicate those wonderfully chewy, flavorful, foil pouched fruit snacks. I wouldn't go as far as to say I've mastered it but this is the closest I have come. On Pinterest I found many mommy bloggers who have recipes and upon inspection I think every single one was the same with the only variations being natural organic gelatin vs. run of the mill cheap-o gelatin, and fruit juice vs. a mixture of puree and juice. 

Here were my finds:

No.1 Fruit pectin does not substitute for gelatin. That was an accidental discovery as the first time I tried making these I realized too late that I had bought pectin not gelatin; you're welcome for the insight, we enjoyed some pretty thick blueberry lemon jelly so no real loss ;)

No.2 The generic recipe you are going to find out there is this:

4 Tbsp Gelatin

1 1/2 cups Fruit Juice

3 Tbsp Honey

1/2 tsp Vanilla 

And although its perfectly fine tasting and will please your child (especially if they haven't grown up having the store bought kind;) they are NOT satisfyingly squishy to the momma who has a soft spot in her heart for those scrumptious coveted snacks. These will turn out like tiny cubes (or shapes if you use a mold) of extra hard jello. Yummy and chew-able but not squishy, melt in your mouth chewy.

No.3 Fruit puree is the way to go for a more squishy satisfying treat; still not perfect but the closest I got.

No.4 You can use much less gelatin, also making them more squishy and still plenty set up. 

No.5 If your child is anything like mine it might make you crazy how many she wants to eat in a day, so to save your sanity you might forgo making these, purchase a fridge she can't open, or try leaving them in a cupboard at the risk of spoiling.

I'm using Apple Juice, Honey, a partially eaten apple, which I pureed, Knox gelatin, and YL Thieves Oil

My serious helper

My adorable "cheese"er

After sprinkling the gelatin on the fruit/juice you wait for it to absorb before heating

Second flavor: Berry Juice, Blueberry Juice, Cranberries - pureed, Honey, YL Lemon Oil

Flips out super cleanly with out greasing or lining the pan
and cuts easily, as well

I ordered these cups from Amazon with the hopes of portion control. They were $12 for 100 with attached lids and were supposed to be reusable. They are but it's probably just as well to order the super cheep ones with un attached lids and just throw them away at leisure. The lids are coming unattached after one or two uses anyways. Not worth the extra money.



My Variations of Fruit Snacks

2 cups Fruit Juice
  Batch 1-Apple Juice
  Batch 2-Berry Juice
1/2 cup Pureed Fruit
  Batch 1-Apple
  Batch 2-Cranberries
3 Tblp Gelatin Powder
2+ Tbsp Honey
3+ Drops Essential Oil

Mix juice and pureed fruit in a saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin powder over it and allow to sit a few minutes to absorb. Turn on heat and add honey. Allow to heat until all the gelatin has dissolved, you will notice it losing its grainy texture. Depending on how hot it took to dissolve the gelatin allow to cool before adding Essential Oils. Pour into a loaf pan and refrigerate 3 hours. Flip out and cut to desired sizes.
These keep in the fridge as long as your children allow them to be kept. If storing at room temperature I've seen it recommended to keep no longer than two weeks.

Enjoy! Or better yet; try your own variations and let me know what changes to make for next time!!