Nothing beats a sour watermelon fruit snack during these back-to-school days. Follow along with Captain Create to learn how to make your own sour watermelon fruit snacks, filled with fresh watermelon juice, no additive colors or flavors, and less than 2 T of sugar for the whole batch!
Gelatin
Have you ever heard of or used gelatin before? Gelatin is an interesting ingredient that causes liquid to solidify and turn into a gummy texture.
Gelatin is a soluble protein that comes from animal tissue, most often cow tissue. This soluble protein is generally odorless and tasteless, but it has a powerful role in today’s recipe.
Gelatin is used in most gummy candies and many other desserts. Often these tasty treats are full of artificial colors, flavors, and packed with added sugars. In today’s recipe you can learn how to make your own delicious fruit snacks with real ingredients and significantly less added sugar!
Want to learn more about added sugar in our diets? Visit MyPlate’s article on how to cut back on excess added sugars.
These Fruit Snacks Make a Great After School Snack
The Summer is coming to a close which means back to school prep is underway. Throughout all of Utah many schools are starting, and it can sometimes be a difficult adjustment for many of Utah’s students.
Coming home to an after-school snack was a great way for me to wind down from the day when I was in school. It’s my hope that you take this recipe as an opportunity to make a healthy afterschool snack for you and your family!
The Process
If you’ve never worked with gelatin before this is a fun way to get started! Here are some general tips about gelatin:
- Bloom the Gelatin:
- Sprinkle the powdered gelatin evenly over a small amount of cold water in a bowl. Let the gelatin sit for about 5 to 10 minutes. During this time, the granules will absorb water and swell. Failing to bloom the gelatin properly can lead to lumps or uneven distribution in the final product. Make sure to give the gelatin enough time to absorb water and swell before proceeding. This is usually done with a cool temperature liquid because adding gelatin directly to a hot mixture can cause it to clump or not dissolve properly.
- Heat the Gelatin:
- After blooming, gently heat the gelatin mixture. You can do this by gently warming it on the stove or by using short bursts in the microwave. The goal is to dissolve the gelatin completely, but avoid boiling it. Adding gelatin directly to a hot mixture can cause it to clump or not dissolve properly. Always dissolve the gelatin in warm or slightly heated liquid before adding it to hot mixtures.
- Incorporate into the Recipe:
- Once the gelatin is completely dissolved and has turned into a clear liquid, you can incorporate it into your recipe. Mix the dissolved gelatin into the other ingredients of your recipe. Stir well to ensure even distribution. When incorporating gelatin into a recipe, thorough mixing is crucial. Inadequate mixing can result in uneven distribution, causing some parts of the final product to have a different texture.
- Chill to Set:
- Allow the mixture to cool and set. Gelatin will start to set as it cools and reaches a certain temperature. The exact temperature depends on the recipe, and normally is set in the refrigerator
Sour Watermelon Fruit Snacks Recipe
It’s time to make your own sour watermelon fruit snacks! These pack a lot of flavor and are a great way to enjoy a sweet treat made out of healthy ingredients. Enjoy!
-Captain Create
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