In the little town where I grew up, we had an old-school corner store called Krex's (“Krex-zies”) that sold all of the typical stuff – magazines, cigarettes, and lots and lots of candy.
I have a visceral memory of that little shop, especially when I think of the glass counter filled with Swedish fish, pop rocks, dots, sours, and all of the gummies you could ever imagine.
These days a tobacco shop has replaced Krex's, and I don't get even a little excited by a candy store, but I DO get excited by real food makeovers of nostalgic comfort foods.
You'll find this site rich with recipe makeovers including nachos, whoopie pies, chocolate chip cookies, pizza, and even french fries with gravy. I'm thrilled to add strawberry cream gummies to my collection of bad food made better.
This recipe comes from The Gelatin Secret, a brand new ebook by my friend Sylvie at Hollywood Homestead – but more about that later…
So what's so special about these strawberry cream gummies?
Well, unlike the store bought version packed with processed sugar, artificial colors and flavors extracted from petroleum sources, and nasty preservatives, these little sweeties are pretty much a super food.
Sylvie has crafted these gummies with real strawberries and fresh lemon juice and coconut milk that provides essential fat. They're sweetened with mineral-rich maple syrup and raw honey that provides enzymes and probiotic goodness.
And let's not forget the gelatin.
Though it has gotten the reputation among vegetarians as being an icky-yucky substance made from animal hooves, when it comes from healthy, properly-raised animals, gelatin is a wonderfully nutritious and versatile ingredient.
Gelatin is made when the collagen from skin and bones of animals is melted down, making the proteins soluble in hot water. The presence of gelatin is why a good bone broth or homemade soup will gel when chilled, why Jell-o jiggles, and why gummies are such chewy fun.
From a health perspective, gelatin helps to strengthen bones, teeth, and cartilage. It improves digestive and immune health. It can even make you prettier – no joke.
To learn more about all the magic qualities of gelatin, you've got to check out The Gelatin Secret, but in the meantime, try these strawberry cream gummies – delicious, nutritious retro-fun.
Strawberry cream gummies ingredients
- 1 can (13.5oz) full-fat coconut milk – this is the coconut milk I use
- 1 cup pureed strawberries
- 1/4 cup organic, grade B maple syrup – I subscribe to this maple syrup
- 1/4 cup fresh squeeze lemon juice
- 13 T. gelatin – order gelatin from grass-fed beef here
- 4 T. raw honey – If you can't get local, I love this raw honey
- 2 T. pure vanilla extract
Equipment:
- Immersion blender – this is the one I love
- Silicone molds like the awesome Lego ones pictured above or go with classic strawberry shapes
Strawberry cream gummies method
- Combine strawberries, lemon juice, and honey on low heat in a small saucepan on the stove.
- Stir until warm, but not hot, as it will kill the probiotic quality in the honey.
- Add 7 T. of the gelatin and immediately mix with an immersion blender until smooth and lump free.
- Pour strawberry mixture into molds, but ONLY fill each one halfway (the rest of the space will be filled by the cream).
- Put the strawberry molds in the freezer. For easy transport, place the silicone mold on a cookie sheet.
- Combine the coconut milk, vanilla, and maple syrup in a clean saucepan and warm on low.
- Add 6 T. gelatin and mix immediately with immersion blender.
- Take out the strawberry molds and complete the pouring with the cream portion.
- Put back in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Bring out and let sit until room temperature. Store for a week at room temperature, refrigerate if they manage to last longer than that. Enjoy!
Healthy strawberry cream gummies are pretty darn awesome, but what's even better is that these and other gelatin-rich foods can dramatically improve your health. Sylvie and her husband, Eric, both lost over 65 pounds and healed a myriad of health issues using gelatin and other real food solutions.
Here are just a few of the things that gelatin can help to resolve:
- Allergies & food sensitivities
- Joint and mobility pain
- Digestive problems
- Acne and other skin conditions
- Dull and fragile hair, wrinkles, and even stretch marks
- Hormonal imbalances
- Tooth decay
- Weight issues
- Anxiety and fatigue
The Gelatin Secret is a beautiful, meticulously researched ebook, packed with everything you MUST know about gelatin and its powerful ability to transform your health and beauty —naturally. Plus you get all the recipes you could ever need to make gelatin so you can start consuming gelatin with ease.
Click here to get The Gelatin Secret now
13 T of gelatin? Is that a typo?
Hi LiddleM – Yes, it really is 13 tablespoons 🙂
This looks sooo good! Do you have any idea about how many silicone molds this recipe will make?
Thanks Jesi! It would depend on what size molds you use, but the recipe yields about 4 cups.
I am with you… wondering how many molds to order… say … maybe the lego molds. How many would I need to make one batch please? : )
Hi 2joyinlife- You will need 2 lego molds 🙂
I just bought it and the link won’t open….
Hi Ronni – Have you checked your download folder? If you’re still having trouble please email info [at] hollywoodhomestead [dot] com.
There is no way on the ad to contact her either.
Which immersion blender do you love? The link attachment does not work…
Hi Corrie – Thanks for pointing that out. The link should work now 🙂
sorry, i’m commenting again to get the follow-up comment on the immersion blender. 🙂
Oh my goodness! I just purchased The Gelatin Secret and I have to say it again Oh my goodness! There is so much information in this book, I absolutely love it. She addresses questions that I had had for quite some time. Love it, love it.
YUM!!! Thanks xxx
Hi, do you have to use an immersion blender to make these? Thanks!
Hi Monika – If you have a really strong blender, that might work too.
I found a set of molds on Amazon (prime) that includes a mini figures mold for only $2 more than the set listed above.
http://holisticsquid.com/gummiemolds
Can you use real raw cream instead of coconut milk?
Yes!
Could I pour into a square pan and cut squares instead of using molds?
Hi Heather – Absolutely!
Hi Emily, I am thinking about buying the gelatin and making these gummies but wanted to ask if the gelatin is tasteless or if you can taste it at all in these sweets? Thanks,
Lu x
Hi Lu – It has no taste. 🙂
Can I use a fruit other than strawberries? Like maybe blueberries?
Hi Amanda – That sounds delicious! Let us know how it turns out if you try it with another fruit.
I’ve used beef gelatine before and the beefy taste really put me off using it again for a sweet dish so I’m thinking if using vegetarian gelatine which I believe is made from seaweed. However, will this have the same nutritional and health benefits as the animal type do you think? Thanks!
If you use the brand of gelatin recommended by the author (Great Lakes I believe) you should not have trouble with a beefy taste. I don’t think vegetarian gelatin will have the same nutritional benefit. I am sure she addresses this in her book.
Hi Kat – The gelatin has no taste. You can try using agar powder or flakes, but it won’t have the same nutritional benefits. Hope that helps!
Just finished making these gummies ….used thawed (previously frozen) blueberries…and they are AMAZING!!! Curious to see if my son thinks so as well 🙂 Also I made these to bring along at a birthday party for 5 year old. If the kids won’t eat it…then I will have even more 😉 What a GREAT way to get a good source of gelatine into my body!
T H A N K S !!!
Made these tonight. My 3 year old is in love!
I just made these today…they are fantastic! Thanks for the recipe and the coupon for the book.
I do not see a coupon for the book? Is there still one available?
Hi Jennifer – The promotion ended on the 15th.
My daughter and I made these a few days ago and they’re a hit! She brought one to school and everyone was impressed that she made her own gummies. These were a great thing for my 7 year old and I to make and I feel happy with her eating them!
I am looking into ordering the Lego molds as linked on this website. I was reading the reviews…do you have to spray the molds for these gummies or do they come out easily?There was a complaint that the jello items were hard to get out.
What would you estimate the cost to be to make two molds worth of gummies if only the ingredients are purchased?
Thanks
Question about the coconut cream: I have used Thai Kitchen brand in the past and just scooped off the cream to make whipped topping for desserts. Is this the part I use in the gummies? Should I blend the whole can together? Thanks!
Hi Debbie- Thanks for your comment. Use the entire can of full fat coconut milk. 🙂
I bought the book. No download problems.
Could you use raw cow’s milk instead of the coconut milk? Do you think it would taste the same? Is there a coconut taste? I’ve never used coconut milk because my family are not coconut lovers. I have to ‘hide’ coconut oil by adding butter when I pop popcorn. They say they can taste it.
Hi Catherine – Thanks for your comment. I don’t see why not. To avoid the coconut taste, you can use unrefined coconut oil which has all of the same health benefits without the taste. Hope that helps!
hi Emily, were you able to confirm the Lego molds were BPA free? I can’t tell by the Amazon description :-/. Thank you!!
Hi K – Thanks for your question. I believe they are, but if you’re concerned I would check with the manufacturer.
Wow! What a great recipe and the lego shapes look SO cute!!! I have been trying several recipes with gelatin and this looks like a hit with kids! I recently made a mousse using only 1-2 Tablespoons of gelatin which comes out so good, I will try this next!!
SOOO GOOD!!! Made it twice already; 1st time was with strawberries and 2nd time was with mango–MMMmmmm….lasts me about a week per batch. I don’t have an immersion blender. Instead, i poured the heated mixtures separately into a food processor. More dishes to wash in between layers, but it definitely made it easier to incorporate all the gelatin. Have your mold ready and set it on top of a cutting board or something else that is sturdy for easy transport to the freezer. This recipe fills one mold for me with a lil’ extra that i pour into a 1-cup pyrex container. Good eats to be had!
Do you think it would turn out well with stevia instead of the maple syrup & honey?
Wanted to share some with a friend who has type 1 diabetes, so try to reduce the sugar as much as possible.
Looks yummy!
Hi Andrea, thanks for your question. I haven’t tried this recipe with stevia. If you do give it a go, please share your results with us as I am sure there are other readers who would also love to hear how it turned out. Good luck!
Hi, do I measure out a cup of puréed strawberries OR measure a cup of whole/ sliced strawberries then purée it?
Hi K, thanks for the question. You measure out a cup of puréed strawberries. Enjoy!
This looks amazing on the picture, but are these gummies as thick and chewy as regular gummies? I’d be disappointed if they turned out to be super soft Jell-O Legos.
These look so amazingly yum! Just shared on my facebook page 🙂
YUM! Those were one of my favourite candies as a kid – totally reminiscent of the tobacco store selection! Those 5 lb. bags of candy are a thing of the past 😉 I’d love to try these with blueberries or orange, too.
Hello, do you think I can use all maple syrup (or another substitute) instead of the honey? My son cannot tolerate fructose (fructose malabsorption) so can’t have honey. We also eat paleo and the school is nut-free so finding things they love that can go to school can be tricky. It’s a lot of ingredients to toss if they don’t work so thought i’d ask first.
Hi CCS, the honey is used for the natural probiotics in it. If your son can’t have it, I don’t see why you couldn’t use all maple syrup but I’ve never tried it that way – you may need to adjust for sweetness. xoxo Emily