Help! My homemade vitamin gummies turned into a sticky mess - recipe tips needed!
Hey everyone, I tried making my own vitamin gummies last night using gelatin and some vitamin C powder I had. Followed a basic recipe I found online (gelatin, water, honey, vitamins) but they never set properly - just a gooey blob in my molds. Anyone have a foolproof recipe or know what I might have done wrong? Trying to avoid store-bought softgels with all their additives.
First thing - ditch the honey! Even natural sugars feed bad bacteria in your gut. I use stevia or monk fruit in mine. Also, make sure your gelatin is grass-fed and organic. The cheap stuff won't set right. My recipe: 1/2 cup water, 3 tbsp gelatin, vitamins, 10 drops stevia. Heat gently (don't boil!) and pour. Works every time!
Retired nurse here - be careful with vitamin powders! They can degrade with heat. Olivia's right about temperature. Also, what's your vitamin C source? Ascorbic acid can affect gelling. Try adding it after the mixture cools slightly. And measure precisely - too much liquid is a common issue. My patients used to have this problem making protein gummies.
Ugh feel your pain OP. Tried this after my night shift last week and same disaster. My batch smelled weird too?? Maybe the vitamins reacted? Claire's temp tip makes sense - I probably overheated mine while exhausted lol. Following for better recipes since I need easy nutrition during 12-hour shifts.
Consider agar instead of gelatin! It's plant-based and more sustainable. But it sets differently - needs to boil briefly. Also, are you using plastic molds? Terrible for the environment. Silicone is better. I reuse mine for years. Pro tip: add a pinch of citric acid for tartness and preservation - reduces food waste!