SWEET'S SYRUP GUMMIES

We receive a lot of requests for elderberry syrup gummies.  While we don't plan on selling them, I wanted to share an option to make your own using Sweet’s Syrup!

There are several recipes online, and I played around with this one by Wellness Mama.  (Follow her, if you don't already!) They’re different from your typical gummy, with more of a Jell-O consistency... less dense and more wiggly.  My kids tore them up and absolutely loved them, while my husband and I weren’t fans of the texture.

We’ll continue to take our Sweet’s in syrup form, but hope this might be a good way to get the persnickety palates in your family to take theirs!  Elderberry syrup is so helpful for proactively supporting a healthy immune system, for kids and adults alike.

We purchased a gummy bear mold with a teaspoon-sized dose.  Our kids often take more than the standard child serving of a teaspoon of liquid syrup, so the gummy form helps syrup supply stretch a bit.  

The gummies made from this recipe will last up to a week in the fridge.  You can freeze whatever you don't think you'll use up in that time.  When you're ready for more, simply thaw a week's worth in the fridge.   

IMPORTANT TIP:  Read the whole recipe before you begin!  I am NOTORIOUS for not reading all the steps before starting, and this causes problems.  (You'll see in the photos!)  Also, I let the kids help me, and this wasn't the best idea.  You have to WORK FAST with gelatin, as it solidifies quickly.  Mistakes aside, the recipe is quick and easy to make. You'll be finished with gummy-making in about 5 minutes, and moving on to cleanup!   

You’ll need:

• Molds:  Try these from Amazon.  (The set I used is no longer available.)

• Medicine dropper:  Comes with the mold set from Amazon

• Coconut oil:  I like the cooking spray from Trader Joe's

• 1 cup of Sweet’s Syrup

• 1/2 cup of hot (but not boiling) water

• One drop of Vitamin D liquid (optional)

• A large glass measuring cup and a whisk

• 1/4 cup of gelatin powder:  I bought Vital Proteins Unflavored Beef Gelatin. It has lots of collagen and benefits good digestion.  It's not a vegetarian or vegan product.  I looked for different plant-based recipes (which I would prefer) and read that agar is an option, but can result in a very weird texture.

Making gummies takes just a few steps but the key is to ACT FAST!  This is the part of the recipe I failed to read and, while my kids were dilly-dallying pouring it into the molds, it turned to gel in like a minute!  It actually solidified in the medicine dropper, which took forever to clean!  You might want to do this project WITHOUT the kids.

1.  Grease the molds with coconut oil spray to keep so the gummies from sticking.

2.  Pour 1/4 cup of the elderberry syrup into a large measuring cup and QUICKLY whisk in the 1/4 cup of gelatin powder.

3.  QUICKLY add 1/2 cup of hot water and stir until smooth.

4.  Add the rest of the elderberry syrup and keep whisking until smooth.

5.  As fast as you can, pour into the molds using a medicine dropper.  It will thicken FAST - like right before your very eyes - which can make things messy. Look at these next two pics.  See how nice and neat the first gummy bears are?!  Then check out the rest that I just had to pour and quickly spread with a spatula.  Sigh.  (We keep it real here, folks!)

The kids, taking their time, when I should have been reading the full recipe.  You can almost see the mixture turning to gel!

Remember, these will last about a week in the fridge.  Store any gummies you won't use in that time in your freezer.

Once you get the hang of it, gummy-making is a simple process!  While my kids love their daily Sweet's Syrup in liquid form and mixed into smoothies and popsicles, these gummies are a fun alternative that we'd definitely try again.

Serve each of your picky eater one gummy with breakfast for fuss-free daily immune support!  Dosage may be increased to one gummy every three hours as needed for extra support.