Elderberry Gummies: From Syrup to Squishy Goodness
Hey! Remember our chat about that super easy elderberry syrup? Well, we're about to turn that liquid gold into something even cooler - elderberry gummies! They're like little, edible superheroes for your immune system, and making them is almost as fun as eating them. It’s also sticky, so be prepared to clean that up if you’re inviting your littles to help.
What You'll Need:
Your trusty elderberry syrup - minus the brandy (the one from this blog)
Gelatin (or agar agar if you're plant-based)
Optional: Extra Honey (for those with a sweet tooth)
Molds that make you smile (or just a plain old dish, you can always cut them later)
Let's Get Gummy!
Syrup Prep: Got your elderberry syrup? If you’ve forgotten how to make it, no worries, just peek at our previous blog.
Gelatin Time: For each cup of syrup, you’ll need about 3 tablespoons of gelatin. Agar agar users, you do you – follow those package instructions.
Warm It Up: Heat your syrup in a saucepan, but keep it really low – we're warming, not cooking! Sprinkle in your gelatin and whisk like you're on a cooking show. All the lumps have to be gone.
Honey: If you like them sweeter, add some honey. Go wild, but remember, we're not making candy here. (I actually add lemon here - it packs more of a punch for my liking).
Molds: Once everything’s smooth, pour the mixture into those cute or plain molds. You can also give the kids a spoon and have them go to town scooping it in the molds.
Chill Out: Pop them into the fridge. They need some alone time to firm up - about two hours unless you’re like me and didn’t use enough gelatin AND too them out too soon - I essentially made elderberry jello but it was still good.
Unmolding: If you’ve used a silicon mold, just turn it over and push this gummies out! If not, good luck to you. Place them in an airtight container and grab them from the fridge whenever you want them.
Tips:
Go big or go home: Make a bunch at once. Your future self will thank you.
Get your friends or family involved. It's like a party, but you get gummies at the end.
Mix up the mold shapes for a giggle. Life's too short for boring gummies.
Remember, each gummy is a little high-five from nature, made by you, for you.
Happy gummy making! Your immune system will thank you.