I regularly make healthy gummies for my kids because they are a great way to get them eating healthy snacks, instead of sugar-laden chemical junk that they sell at the stores. I add fresh-squeezed juices, kombucha, and sea salt to them to enhance their nutritional content. This week my kiddos were looking like they might be coming down with something, and they were not sleeping very well to boot! So I wanted to come up with something to help them sleep and boost their immune system. I whipped up some tart cherry and elderberry gummies!
Here is why this recipe works:
Tart cherries: Studies have shown that tart cherries have a sleep enhancing effect on the body!
“A glass or two of tart cherry juice before bedtime may improve sleep, suggest results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial”(source)
“Tart cherry juice concentrate provides an increase in exogenous melatonin that is beneficial in improving sleep duration and might be of benefit in managing disturbed sleep” (source)
Gelatin: Gelatin also helps promote sleep. Learn how amazing gelatin is for your health HERE
“Gelatin contains a high percentage of glycine, a non-essential amino acid and inhibitory neurotransmitter, which is known to decrease anxiety and to promote restorative sleep” (source)
Elderberry syrup: immune enhancing and protective against colds and flu. Get my recipe for Elderberry syrup HERE
“The bioflavonoids in elderberry syrup boost the body’s immune system by increasing antioxidant levels and viruses that damage cell walls. A daily dose can assist you in preventing both acute and chronic disease.” (source)
Raw Honey: Honey had been shown to be anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years. If you really wanted to step up your game, you could use Manuka honey! — find it here
So there you have it! These little gems should help the kiddos get the restorative sleep they need when fighting an illness and the immune-boosting properties of the elderberries. Winning! Here is how to make them…
Elderberry Gummies
These little gems should help the kiddos get the restorative sleep they need when fighting an illness and the immune-boosting properties of the elderberries. Winning!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup tart cherry juice
- 4 Tbsp unflavored gelatin
- 1/4 cup Elderberry syrup (get the recipe here)
- 2 Tbsp raw honey
Instructions
- Heat 1/2 cup of juice in a medium saucepan until bubbling.
- In a glass jar combine gelatin and heated juice, stir briskly to dissolve gelatin.
- In a medium bowl combine all of the ingredients and whisk until well combined. (Note: do not use honey in this recipe if you plan to share these gummies with anyone under the age of one year).
- Pour into molds.
- Put molds into the refrigerator until set, at least one hour.
- Enjoy your elderberry gummies!
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I had the pleasure of doing a demo making these elderberry gummies on our local news station Twin Cities Live. You can watch the video demo below…
If you want to learn more about the health benefits of gelatin, my friend Sylvie wrote an entire book on the subject. You will be amazed at the healing powers of gelatin!!! Check it out HERE.
CLICK HERE to Pin this Recipe
282 Replies to “Elderberry Gummies for Cold, Flu and Sleep (that kids love!)”
Good morning! Would it be possible to make these without the elderberry syrup? While I love the idea of the syrup, I don’t have any on hand and I’d like to make these ASAP. Could I just increase the amount of juice to 1 1/2 cups? Thanks for your help!
Erin, that would work too. Order your Elderberries, my co-op just sold out!
Hi Kate! We have been using these gummies for a while now, and they really seem to work magicly!! Although I was wondering if we could substitute ” Cherry & Berry Juice ” for the ” Tart Cherry Juice ” ? ( in the case that we aren’t able to find it overseas ) Will this effect the recipie and results in any way?
Thank you! Hope to hear from you soon! (:
Hey Michelle, so glad you have been liking them! You could certainly sub another juice. The cherry juice is included to help with sleep. You will still have medicinal benefits, just not the sleep benefit 🙂
Hi Kate! This is great! How many does this recipe make? Also, what is your recommended serving size for kiddos? I have an 11 yr old, 7 yr old and 4 yr old.
Thanks, Kelly
It makes approximately 50 gummies. I would let them eat to their hearts content 🙂
Fabulous! Thanks!
What is the recommended storage and shelf life? Can’t wait to add these to my children’s health regime!!
They last several weeks in a jar in the fridge
I have the beef gelatin and it makes everything have a horrible taste-is the porcine tasteless?
Yeah, it does not lend any strange flavor to the gummies
Thanks! Just made these today and my 2.5 year old was eating them as fast as I could get them out of the molds!
That’s the same way my kids eat them. Last week my husband left the jar full of them on the counter and my kids ate them all!
Question. The gelatin that you recommend and the picture that you show are two different types. When I press to find the geletin it shows the beef one. Am I missing something? One of the girls said the beef flavor was not good. I don’t want to buy the beef if it’s not a great flavor. Also when making elder syrup. Do you prefer the powder over the fresh ginger? I normally see it with fresh. But I never made it before. I’m looking forward to trying it out. Please let me know what you think.
Sometimes when I photograph the posts I run out of the brands that I use in the actual picture. I also switch up brands from time to time, if I find one I like better. So that’s why they are different. I have not had any issues with the beef flavor being off. I use both kinds interchangeably. I make my elderberry syrup with fresh or powder, depending on what I have on hand. But, I do prefer the fresh ginger.
If you are using raw honey in the elderberry syrup that goes in the gummies doesn’t that make the gummies a no-go for under a year anyway?
Yep, I gave that disclaimer in the post. If you are making these for kiddos under one year, omit the honey
How many gummies do kids take?
3-5 depending on how little they are
I have homemade Elderberry tincture…can I substitute that for the syrup?
You can try, I have never used it though.
Omgosh! Thank you so much. My daughter loves gummies but I hate givibg them to her. What is your recipie for regular gummies? She would love to have these & help
Just omit the elderberry syrup and replace with juice and that’s my regular gummy recipe
Wouldn’t the heat destroy the good stuff in the honey or kombucha?
No since the hot water is used to dissolve the gelatin and then cold water is added to it before combining with the rest of the stuff. The honey is the last addition so the liquid is cool by then.
I do not see anything in your recipe about adding cold water? What step and how how much do you add?
You don’t add cold water. It’s the remainder of the juice that you add the warm juice and dissolved gelatin to. Make sense?
When I put the gelatin in the hot syrup it went lumpy. What did I do wrong?
You need to mix it up well and sometimes mash the lumps with a fork. Sometimes if I can’t get the lumps out, I dump it into a small sauce pan and reheat until they are all dissolved. I have only had to do that a handful of times thought. Make sure the water is really hot to begin with.
Is the gelatin you linked to grass fed? Could not find that info under description.
Yes, I believe that brand is all grass fed. It’s what they sell at my co-op
The porcine is not grass-fed; only the beef gelatin is, per the Great Lakes website.
Is there something else I can use instead of gelatin? My daughter has PKU and gelatin is higher in protein and she can’t have it.
You could try agar agar
Sara Fisher: Their website says: How are the cattle raised?
Our cattle are grass fed and slaughtered in Argentina and Brazil which is controlled by their respective Department of Agriculture. These countries have the same type of rigourous tests and inspections as the United States. Beef hides are the only product used to manufacture gelatin in these countries.
Hello & thank you for this great looking recipe! I want to make them and have them on my station at work!!! I need to find a vegetarian option for the gelatin though, do you have any recommendations? Thanks in advance, Ann
Here is an article on the topic, I cannot speak from experience. https://www.thekitchn.com/vegetarian-alternatives-to-gelatin-189478
Ok great thanks so much!!!
Can you use store bought elderberry syrup, like from health food store…and use less? I think it would be more concentrated??
I think so although I have not done it. Might want to measure out what about 48 doses would be, thats approximately how many gummies it makes (depending on your mold size)
Can I send in kids lunch or do they need to stay cold? And how many days can they be stored? Can manuka honey be used?
Yeah, unless it’s really hot they shouldn’t melt. They have lasted weeks in my fridge in a glass jar. Manuka honey can be used.
Can I use gelatin that I’ve made through bone broth? Would the measurements be different?
I don’t think that would work as well, but give it a try and let me know! 🙂
I really like the berry mold you show here but I have scoured Amazon and can’t seem to find it.. Do you happen to remember where you got yours? Thanks so much for all of your wonderful recipes. I appreciate what you share with us!
I actually found that berry mold at Target a few years ago, and haven’t seen it again since (I wanted to go back and buy more!). Here is the closest thing I could find on Amazon though: https://amzn.to/19SNfsk
This sounds great, & I’d like to try these, But I can’t seem to find how much cold water you add after the gelatin has been dissolved,
No water, just the rest of the juice the recipe calls for
Is there any concern of the molds leaching into the gummies?
I am not concerned, they are in the molds for an hour and then I put them into a glass jar.
Wow, my daughter and I love gummies. I am going to try to make these. And some for just snack purpose. Thanks for recipe
Glad you like the recipe, my kids sure do love them!
Do you need to spray oil on the mold? Would they come off easily?
No oil necessary, they just pop right out!
I just made a batch of elderberry syrup – so perfect timing – my Little Bug is going to love these. Great post. Thanks for sharing on Wildcrafting Wednesdays and congrats on being featured this week! I hope you’ll join us again and share more of your awesome posts in the future.
https://www.herbanmomma.com/2013/10/wildcrafting-wednesday-10-23-13
Hi,
How long will Elderberry syrup last?
Thanks!
Indefinitely, I have not had a batch go bad yet!
I had my gummies mold😩. What do I do
Throw them away, they are no longer any good
I am going to try this after I remake the elderberry syrup. Cherry juice sounds like a perfect compliment to these. Thanks!
No point using manuka honey if u are heating it to boil
The honey is added after the hot and cold liquids have been combined so it will not be hot enough to destroy the benefits of the honey. Add it last.
I just got these same molds at Target a couple days ago! Mine are in the fridge setting right now. My 4 yr old keeps asking if they are ready!
i just found your blog site, so amazing!
Any tricks to getting the gelatin to dissolve? I keep getting clumps or so much froth on top from whisking that they don’t come out well.
You have to make sure the juice that you heat up is really hot, then stir in the gelatin until dissolved. If you keep getting chunks, then heat it up.
I keep getting major chunks with my gelatin too. It was heated to boiling but as soon as I added the gelatin (same brand as above) it turned into cement clumps. Excited to try this once I figure that little problem out! I did just put a batch in the fridge but I’m guessing at least 1 1/2 tablespoons of gelatin was lost to clumping.
Sometimes I have this issue. You just need to re-heat and whisk REALLY well!
If you “bloom” the gelatin first…stir into cold juice and let it dissolve, then add to the hot juice….it won’t clump. I’ve been using gelatin for quite some time in a variety of ways, and have found that stirring it into
cold liquid first is key to no clumping.
This is the process I use and it’s wonderful! Makes things easy…
The tart cherry juice concentrate is mentioned in the article. I’m assuming you dilute the cherry concentrate per directions on the bottle to get the 1 1/4 cup of juice. Right?
I did not dilute mine
I have an old jello bean mold I bet would work great!!
could I use kombucha extract in this? this is what I use https://www.amazon.com/GetKombucha-KOMBUCHA-EXTRACT-Concentrate-DIGESTIVE/dp/B004R1EOIW/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1384186368&sr=1-3&keywords=kombucha
I have not tried that but give it a go and let me know how it works!
I used candy molds, (plastic trays) I found at Michael’s craft store. Bought 5 trays, 2 hearts, 2 oval and 1 round. Made 74 of these gummies. I had a turkey baster I used to put the juice in the candy spots. Took up the entire top shelf of my fridge.
ooh, a turkey baster is a great idea!
Can you use something else besides the cherry juice? I can’t really afford the juice
You can use any juice you would like, I use cherry because it increases melatonin….which leads to sleeping children 🙂
I wanted to add that the great lakes gelatin clumps easily if you stick it right into hot liquids. The directions on the orange label gelatin suggest that adding the gelatin to cold liquid and stirring and allowing it to bloom helps. So this time around I took the cherry juice and elderberry (both cold from the fridge) and added the gelatin, gave it a mix and then heated that mixture. Then added honey(mixture wasn’t that hot. Then put in the candy molds. This is the same method I use when adding gelatin to my green tea.
Mine didn’t set up, what did I do wrong? This is the first time I have used this Great Lakes Gelatin, very hard to dissolve. My Cherry concentrate came to a bubbling boil. It tastes so tarte, I don’t know that I could enjoy them. I used Fruit Fast Tart Cherry Juice concentrate, it is very thick and very expensive.
I have not had that issue, but I also use only cherry juice from the co-op. Try adding more gelatin or using a different kind
Do you use any other juice flavors instead of Cherry???
You can use whatever juice you would like. I just use cherry juice because it’s a natural source of melatonin….which means sleepy kids 🙂
Have you tried freezing them?
I just bought gelatin powder from the health food store but ingredients say organic porcine gelatin? Also the cherry juice is it like drinking juice from concentrate steIght from the bottle?
There are two different kinds of the gelatin: bovine and porcine. The cherry juice I buy is thicker than your average juice, but it is not a concentrate.
So will porcine gelatin work and maybe using more of it, if using reg juice?
Thanks!
So if you’re using the tart cherry juice for melatonin properties for better sleep ,are you giving the kids the gummies as a snack closer to bedtime?
When the kids are feeling icky, I give them as a snack….before naptime. Otherwise, it’s before bed
I use a little rosé hip powder in my elderberry syrup too :). Good vitamins C :).
🙂 thank you. These are great.
Great idea!
Pinning this too. LOVE it!
So the Great lakes gelatin you buy is it bovine or porcine for this recipe?
I cant seem to find great lakes in Calgary, Canada but found it on line
at amazon.ca
It’s really your personal preference
Hi Kate, I tried to make this tonight and used identical ingredients to yours. I made sure my juice was boiling and mixed the gelatin till smooth but when I added it to the other ingredients it started to get very clumpy! How do I avoid this next time? Thanks for sharing:)
Allison, sometimes I get clumps too. Just reheat the juice with the gelatin and whisk. When you add the gelatin to the hot juice, always make sure that you are stirring vigorously the whole time. Hope this helps!
I have the same molds you used here, but not one of mine came out looking as cute as yours. Every one of them tore when I tried to pop them out. Do you have any tips on how to get them out in one piece? Should I spray the molds with oil first? Any advice is appreciated! These are super yummy, btw!
You need to make sure they are completely set. If they are still setting, they will tear apart when coming out. This happens to me when the kids want them NOW and they are not quite ready yet. Glad you like them 🙂
I let them sit in the fridge overnight. Should I have left them longer?
Thank you!!
I used my finger to break sunction on all sides before removing
Made these today. Yay! Question: How do you store these gummies?
In a jar in the fridge. They disappear fast 🙂
Just made these and they are so good! They look just like the picture and they popped out of the mold easily. I was using a silicone mold but can imagine how they might tear with a more rigid mold. I incorporated the gelatin by pouring it in slowly while constantly whisking when the juice was warm, not hot, and had no clumps. I don't have kids, I made them just for me b/c I have a cold and the picture looked so yummy. They did not disappoint : )
Glad to hear that you liked them. We make them often!!! 🙂
So glad I found your site. I'm looking forward to trying the elderberry syrup and gummies and also the dish detergent.
Glad you are enjoying it! If you subscribe to my newsletter then you will also get updates about all of my new posts 🙂
Hi! I made these today with my very excited 5 year-old. They came out well, but I will say a bit rubbery. Is that the type is gelatin I used? We love gummies around here, but would definitely like to figure out how to make them a little softer. Any thoughts? Thanks you!!!
Maybe try using a little less gelatin next time. Might be the kind you used.
Can I use store bough elderberry? I just don’t have the time to make my own right now, but my little guy has been having a difficult time taking his daily dose, so this would be perfect if I can get him to eat it in gummy form.
People have done that. Read the comments on this post, there should be some info there. I have not personally done it so I cannot speak to how much to use. Hope your little guy is feeling better soon!
I only found one post recommending to measure out about 48 doses. Should I mix all of the other ingredients, pour in molds, and then add the exact dose of elderberry to each mold? Can’t think of any other way.
Also, Is the heating of the juice needed in order to make the gelatin form, or can I skip heating it? Thanks!
I made the elderberry syrup yesterday and it was great. Then I made the gummies and they never set up. I followed the directions, used the exact ingredients, but they’re still liquid. Can I pour everything back into a bowl, add more gelatin, and try again with the same batch? I don’t want to waste it.
Yep, I have done that before with gummies that did not set
I couldn't wait to make these for my kids; very easy to make, turned out well, but no one liked them. I used homemade elderberry syrup, and I think the elderberry taste/smell was too strong.
Really? I have to ration mine or my kids would eat them all at once!
Thank you for this recipe (and the elderberry syrup one too). We made the gummies today and they were a hit with my kids.
Glad to hear that the kiddos liked them. Mine sure do! 🙂
whats the shelf life of these gummies? do they have to be put in the fridge at all times?
Yep, keep them in the fridge or they will either dry out or mold. The shelf life is up to two weeks
Hi. I would like to know if I should give my kids the syrup and the gummies at the same time in the case of a cold or flu. And how many gummies per snack please.
Many thanks! I’m excited about to make this recipes;)
You could do both, but it’s not necessary. I usually given them 3-5 gummies for a snack, depending on how sick they are
I was so excited to make these, but they didn't work at all! 🙁 I don't know what I did wrong. I saw the comment about adding the gelatin slowly. I wish I'd done that because i had so many clumps. Also, that SMELL! The cherry juice and gelatin smelled exactly like a dog kennel to me. Anyone else think it smelled terrible? By the time I got the rest of the ingredients mixed in, it was too gelled to pour into a mold and had huge clumps of gelatin. I think I'll just try to elderberry syrup straight.
Oh no! Sorry they turned out that way for you. I have never had those issues. Try adding it slowly next time I guess
Hi Kate, thank you for your reply in my prior post 😉
I finally was able to make the syrup today but I didn’t realize that for the honey I needed pretty much the whole jar (11oz) I just had a half of it. Do you think it’s going to be effective for the daily doses??
And also do you use silicone molds or just ice cubes mold?
Thanks!
Hey Adriana, I have had that happen to me before too. I think the most medicinal part of the syrup is in the berries. It’s just harder to get the kiddos to want to take it without the proper amount of honey 😉 I use silicon molds for the gummies, I don’t think ice cube trays would work because you can’t push the gummies out like you can with silicon molds.
Hi Kate! Thank you again for your reply. I’m sorry to disturb you again (I’m new in this) 😉
I would like to know if you need to storage the jars in the fridge, because after 4 days mold started growing in the gummies or we need to eat them quicker?
Also, do you know if I can freeze the Tarte Cherry juice? I don’t know what else to do with it and it was a bit expensive, don’t want to throw it away. So was thinking if I can use it frozen later to make some more gummies.
Many many thanks!!
How long does the home made elderberry syrup keep for? I'm assuming store in the fridge?
Yep, store in the fridge. It lasts several months.
thank you for great recipe – where did you buy these cute molds? i cannot find these anywhere…too cute…
I actually found them randomly at Target and have not been able to find more anywhere!
where might I find unflavored gelatin? We have whole foods, sprouts and natural grocers but I was told none of them carry it …do I really have to pay for it online every time?
Most health food stores should carry it. Ask, sometimes its in a weird location. I always order mine online because the stores usually mark the price WAY up!
Hi! I just found your site today, and I am loving everything I am reading!
About the gummies – could you pour the mixture into a shallow pan and cut shapes out of that? I have a teeny kitchen, and really don’t have room for anything else (like a mold).
Thanks!
Yes, you could certainly pour it into a pan and slice it up!
I accidentally bought the green can of the gelatin, Collagen Hydrolysate. Can I still use it for this? What is the difference between the 2? Thanks!
The green kind does not gel, but you can mix it in to your beverages. I do every morning. Same health benefits of regular gelatin
Hi there! I have just finished making these in regular ice cube trays (only half full to keep the size smaller) but they seem to be sticking and I have to use a knife to sort of pop/scrape them out. Should I be giving the normal plastic trays a little non-stick spray? Any tricks you might know?
I used grape juice instead because I’m not a big cherry fan. However, I am quite thrilled with how easy these were to make and how delicious they taste. I am a teacher and plan on keeping a stash of these at school to fight off all those germs. Do they have to be refrigerated? Can they be stored at room temperature in a mason jar (to keep them sealed well)?
Thank you so much for the syrup and gummy recipes!
you could grease the molds with some coconut oil. You could also try adding a little more gelatin to the recipe to firm them up more. I would not store them at room temperature, they might melt a bit or mold. Glad you like them! If you have a mini fridge in your classroom, that would be ideal.
As an herbalist, it’s frustrating when your kids just won’t take what’s good for them! None of them like Elderberry syrup. Even the children’s version that is full of sugar. Last night I made these gummies and they were a hit with 4 out of 5 kids. I substituted grape juice and Knox gelatin. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Yay! Mom win! 🙂
Grape juice for the cherry juice or the elderberry? Knox ? Is that a brand of you mean you didn’t use gelatin?
Just made these today they are great! My kids would not take the syrup. These they are gobbling up!
That’s awesome Nicole. Yes, they are definitely a kiddie favorite for sure 🙂
Hi Kate,
I am new to your blog and just tried elderberry syrup for the first time. We love it and my 3 year old thinks it’s a “treat juice”. I tried the gummies today after ordering everything from your links. The gelatin started setting up before I could pour into molds and left them kinda chunky and not smooth textured, so my girl won’t eat them. Did I do something wrong? Yours look liquid in the molds and mine definitely were not! Thanks!
Hi Kalyn,
Glad your 3-year-old loves the syrup, and sorry your gummies were lumpy. That’s no fun after all that work! Maybe your juice was not hot enough. You can always reheat it to dissolve the lumps. I have had a few lumps in the past and reheating it and mashing them with a fork did the trick. You have to work fast too, they set up quickly! Hope this helps!
If I have honey in the elderberry syrup already do I still add the honey into the gummies?
It’s up to you. I love honey in recipes, especially for its medicinal value when you use raw honey
Could it be possible to make these with carrot juice? I need a V8 replacement that has no orange juice. I love gummies. Thanks!
Yep, I have made the gummies with vegetable juice too
Hi Kate,
will any gelatin work? i have knox gelatin
Yeah Sofee, you can use any gelatin. I just prefer certain brands over others 🙂
Can i mix everything and let my children drink it? Im trying to stay away from gummies to prevent cavities. I already give them elderberry syrup everyday.
It might be a little weird to drink, it will start to gel up.
Made these today!! They were amazing, thank you! Made them with cranberry juice in gummy bear molds 🙂
Glad you liked them Lindy!
Hi there, in the process of making these gummies but do I have to use juice? Can I omit juice altogether?
you could sub water for juice but they would not taste as good
My kids love these gummies — is it okay to give every day, or better just when there’s something going around or they are fighting something? I’ve heard not to give elderberry as a preventative. Thanks so much!
I give them every day when something is going around, I try to limit it to about 4 max per day
Do you give at bedtime if it helps with sleep too?
I usually do before naps
Omg I love this idea especially since my 3 year old and 8 year old hate medicine…..I was wondering on how many gummies can they eat?
I usually cut them off at 6
Can I use all elderberry syrup and not any juice?
You sure can 🙂
I haven’t made your recipe but I did make gummy bears from another recipe I found that was similar to yours. The gummies were very soft and not like the ones in the store that get harder and are shelf stable. I would like to make the kind that do not require refrigeration but I have not found that formula yet. Do you know of a step to make these into shelf stable gummies? Thanks. 🙂
I am not sure how to make these shelf stable without adding preservatives
Ok, That is probably not a good component. Thanks. 🙂
Was not sure if I was willing to try this recipe again but after my daughter had a sleep over and she saw her friend take a melatonin gummy she wanted to take them also. I did some research online, did not like the info. I found about the supplements so I decided to give these one more shot.Third time was the charm for me. The first two times I tried making these I did not dilute the juice and they would not set. The third time, I used 1/4 c. juice & 1 c. water. The fourth time, 1/2 c. juice & 3/4 c. water. Each time, they set perfectly. I poured them into gummy worm molds and she has 1 or 2 each night before bed. Even with the dilution they are working for my 5 year old daughter who is usually struggling all winter with the sniffles and runny nose. We just came back from my sister’s where everyone was suffering from a horrible cold. I came home with it but she has yet to show the slightest symptom.
Awesome Lauree!
Hello!
I have some collagen peptides-could I use that instead of gelatin? Do I understand correctly that gelatin is a protein that comes from collagen? Also, does this upset the stomach if used while someone has the stomach flu? I’m new to eating grain free (and dairy free) as I have been told that I have leaky gut and was getting very sick eating grains and dairy, so now that I”m sick, I’m actually looking for what I can eat now. Thank you!
-Katie
Hi Katie, you can’t use collagen in place of gelatin because it does not gel. They both are actually soothing to the gut, so you shouldn’t experience upset
Can I freeze the gummies? I have tons of syrup and would like to make a bunch of gummies but don’t want them to go bad
I don’t think they will freeze well, it will ruin the texture
Hi Kate,
I made the elderberry syrup one day and gummy bears the next, according to your recipes. They both turned out wonderful and my grandson had a great time helping me fill the molds. Thank you !! I’m a little confused though, regarding the daily intake/ serving size of gummy bears for children. I read through several posts and see anything from “eat to their hearts content” to consume only 4 to 6 gummy’s daily. I would much prefer my grandchildren (and other family members including myself) snack on these gummy bears versus other sugar and chemical-laden treats. Is there a maximum daily amount or one that would be considered unsafe? Thanks for your help. Looking so forward to trying more of your recipes!!
Debbie
They have a smaller dose than the actual syrup so you can definitely snack on them, but I would not eat the entire batch in one day or anything. If you want gummies that you can eat to your hearts content, just make this recipe using only the juice 🙂 Glad you had fun making them, my kids love to help too!
Hi! What can i do if the gummies are slightly jello-like in consistency? Yum in flavor but more tough than I think they should be.
They are meant to be the thickness of a gummy vitamin, if you want them more like jello then just add less gelatin
Hi there, I’m excited to try these. Do they need to be stored in the fridge?
I store them in the fridge
So mine ended up lumpy and by the time I got toward the end it was like molasses. Will these still be okay to eat?
You can reheat it if it clumps and mush out the clumps. Did they turn out okay?
You mentioned you sometimes add kombucha to these gummies in your intro. How much kombucha do you add and does it replace other liquid already in the recipe? Thanks.
I replace the other liquid with kombucha. Here is a recipe: https://realfoodrn.com/kombucha-fruit-gummies-gut-healing-nirvana/
Perfect! Thanks!
Could I use more elderberry and less juice? Thanks!!
Sure!
Thank you for the recipe. I made these two weeks ago and I do believe they helped my son kick the cough he had. I plan to make them again however they were very dense, not as chewed/jello-like as I would have preferred. I’m planning to reduce the Gelatin in my next batch. Any advice on Gelatin to liquid ratio?
I make the syrup using honey then I also add more honey when making the gummies is that correct?
Yep, that’s correct
I am making the elderberry syrup right now. I also want to make the gummies. How many gummies should my Granddaughter have in a day or should they only use at night? Do I use the gummies in combination with elderberry syrup or on their own?
I give the gummies to my kids in the evening, because the tart cherry juice is a natural source of melatonin. I give them 3-5 gummies, depending on how little they are. I typically don’t give them along with the syrup. One or the other.
Thank you
I am a vegetarian and was wondering if anyone has tried to make these using pectin, instead of gelatin.
I made elderberry syrup and the gummies for the first time today. Everything was going well until I poured my hot syrup into the jar with my gelatin. It seems like there wasn’t enough liquid for the amount of gelatin. The recipe says 1/4 cup syrup but the picture beneath the recipe says 1/2 cup syrup. I watched the video and you say 1/4 cup syrup. I feel like I am missing something. There was no way I could stir the 1/4 cup hot syrup with 4 Tbsp gelatin. Please help!
It says 1 1/2 cups juice and 1/4 cup syrup, sorry it might be hard to read.
Hi there. How long do these last in the refrigerator?
a few weeks
I just made these but instead of the tart cherry juice I used pomegranate juice. They taste great.
Awesome!
Good evening! I’m going to start making these for my fam. I was wondering if you thought that adding probiotic powder to the recipe would work or not. I usually mix my kids’ probiotic into their elderberry syrup, but if I made these they could take it all at once. Thank you!
Sure, that should work!
I followed this recipe and my gummies would not set. I even froze them and they still would not set.
Did you add the right amount of gelatin? Were you possibly using collagen instead of gelatin?
Being my first time to make gummies I wish I would have known to spray the mold as all of them stuck. We are using what I salvaged and the recipe is amazing. My little one loves them and wanted more.
I’m so sad. My gummies aren’t setting either. I’d love to figure out what I did wrong. I used Great Lake Gelatin.
My gummies turned out really well and taste great. I used small gummy bear molds and it made 212 gummies. My math may be way off but it seems like you would have to eat about 17 gummies to equal the 1tsp daily of elderberry syrup recommended for children since this recipe only uses 1/4 cup of elderberry. Please confirm, thanks
i usually limit it to about 5 gummies or less at one time, spaced out throughout the day
These are amazing and turned out perfectly! We made dinosaur gummies. I’m just wondering how many a 4 year old should eat at once? She loves them!!
Awesome! I usually limit them to about 4 at a time
May I ask —- why do you not add the gelatin to the pot of warm juice? Why are you pouring juice into a jar then adding the gelatin then adding it into a bowl. Seems like a lot of dishes.
lol, yes it creates more dishes, its just been a method I have used for a long time. I like how fast I can stir in the jar
Do your kiddos eat these as gummies or more like vitamins (2 a day)?
we eat them when there is something going around, for immune support
Am I able to just use Knox gelatin from the grocery store?
sure can!
I’m wondering the dosage on the gummies. Since the syrup has a teaspoon dosage for kids what would the gummies dosage be. You say your kids eat a bunch. Can you overdose on elderberry?
I’m wondering the dosage on the gummies. Since the syrup has a teaspoon dosage for kids what would the gummies dosage be. You say your kids eat a bunch. Can you overdose on elderberry?
I limit them to about 4 at a time, a couple of times spaced throughout the day
Do you use tart cherry juice concentrate or just regular tart cherry juice? Also should you let the gelatin and cherry juice cool before mixing it with the elderberry syrup? Thank you!
you can use either, but I typically dont use the concentrate. No need to let it cool
“THE BIOFLAVONOIDS IN ELDERBERRY SYRUP BOOST THE BODY’S IMMUNE SYSTEM BY INCREASING ANTIOXIDANT LEVELS AND VIRUSES THAT DAMAGE CELL WALLS…”
You might want to check this quote ???? Thanks for the recipe. It’s elderberry season at my place so I’m going to give it a try today.????
My kids love these!
Are they supposed to be sticky?
I’m wondering if I did something wrong. They just stick to my glass jar making it hard to get them out
try adding more gelatin
Hi! I just made these and I followed directions even using the exact brands in the picture. The mixture turned into sticky gummies before I could get them into the molds. As soon as the juice hit the gelatin and I was stirring it was already setting up. I’ve rarely ever used gelatin so I’m not sure what happened and what I could do to change it. I even watched the video you have on here to make sure I didn’t do anything different and that was still liquid they poured into the molds and mine wasn’t. It tasted really good but I don’t know if my kids will eat it if they don’t “look” good, haha. TIA for replying! ☺
You can always reheat and pour. I have had them clump in the process before and I just reheated. It can take some finessing, but over time you will get your groove
I know the honey is part of the “good stuff” but what if your kiddo is on keto? How much stevia/swerve/monkfruit/xylitol would I add instead for some sweetness. And is any one better than another?
You can add them to sweetness desired, just taste the liquid before you pour it.
Hi! Just wondering how many gummies this recipe makes and how long they last? Also, how long does your syrup last once made? Thanks!
number depends on the mold size. They last up to two weeks in a jar in the fridge. The syrup lasts for weeks, the honey keeps it fresh
What can I use for a mold other than buying one? Maybe a sheet pan?
sure, then just cut them into squares 🙂
It’s stated not to take more then four a day but wouldn’t that depend on the size of the mold ?
Yes, it would. They are meant for smaller molds
Going to ask the same question, thank you so much.
I cannot find the serving size information. I am using standard gummy bear size molds. What would you recommend for children (3-5 years) and adults? Thanks! My boys LOVE these!
Is there any way you would be willing to post another video of you making these. But of just you showing step by step how you make them. I’m not very good at baking I tried making 3 times and it didn’t work. But I really want to make them. But I don’t want to keep throwing money away by messing up again. I even tried the tips you gave to the other people and it still didn’t work.