Alright, so today I’m gonna talk about something I whipped up in the kitchen – let’s call ’em “spoiled child gummies.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my kid, but sometimes, you know, they get a bit… particular. And getting them to eat anything remotely good for them, or even just different, can feel like a wrestling match.
The Grand Idea and Getting Stuff Together
So, I had this thought. Maybe if I made some gummies myself, with stuff I actually recognized, it might be a small win. Plus, it’s cheaper than those fancy store-bought ones that cost an arm and a leg. I rummaged through my cupboards. Found some plain gelatin – the unflavored kind, super important. Then I grabbed some fruit juice. Whatever was open, honestly. I think it was apple juice this time, but I’ve used grape, berry, you name it. And a bit of honey, or sometimes maple syrup, just for a touch of sweetness. Didn’t want to go overboard.
Oh, and molds! I dug out those silicone molds. You know the ones, little bears, worms, hearts, whatever cutesy shapes you bought thinking they’d be a game-changer. Mine were stuffed at the back of a drawer.
The Actual Making Of The Things
So, here’s how I went about it. First, I poured about a cup of the juice into a small saucepan. Then I sprinkled maybe two tablespoons of the gelatin powder over the top. Let it sit for a few minutes. They call it “blooming” or something. Basically, it just helps it dissolve better and not get all lumpy. Lumpy gummies are no one’s friend.
After it looked all wrinkly and absorbed, I turned on the heat to low. Stirred it gently. The key is not to boil it. Just warm it enough so the gelatin dissolves completely. Once it was all liquid and smooth, I took it off the heat. Then I stirred in a tablespoon or so of honey. Tasted it. Sometimes it needs a bit more, sometimes less. You just gotta go with your gut.
Then came the slightly messy part. I carefully poured the mixture into those silicone molds. A little dropper thingy can help if you have one, but I usually just pour slowly from the saucepan and hope for the best. Spills happen. It’s part of the charm, right?
The Waiting and The Verdict
Once the molds were full, I stuck them in the fridge. They need a good hour or two to set up properly. This is usually when the “spoiled child” in question starts asking “Are they ready yet?” every five minutes. Patience, little one, patience.
Finally, when they were firm, I popped them out of the molds. They actually looked like gummies! The kid was suspicious at first, as always. Poked one. Sniffed it. Then, miracle of miracles, actually ate one. And then another! Success!
Now, let’s be real. Were these a magic bullet? Did they suddenly make my kid eat broccoli? Nope. But, for a little while, I had a homemade snack that they enjoyed, and I knew exactly what went into it. No weird chemicals or tons of sugar. And it was a fun little project. Sometimes, it’s the small victories, you know? It’s like anything with kids, you try something, it works for a bit, then you’re on to the next bright idea. That’s just how it goes. But hey, at least we had gummies for a day or two.
