Auction Lot Gummy Bears
Vibrant, chewy fruit gummies inspired by the L'il Critters multivitamin auction item, made with real fruit puree and no artificial colors. This kid friendly-inspired kid friendly ready in about 20 minutes pairs unsweetened apple juice, strawberry puree, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 55 calories and feeds 16, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened apple juice
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp gelatin
- 3 tbsp honey
- 5 drops food-grade fruit coloring
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup unsweetened apple juice, 1/2 cup strawberry puree, and 1 tbsp lemon juice over medium heat, stirring until warm and bubbly (about 2-3 minutes).
- Step 2: Sprinkle 2 tbsp gelatin over the warm liquid, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fully dissolved, then add 3 tbsp honey and 5 drops food-grade fruit coloring, stirring until the mixture is uniformly colored.
- Step 3: Pour the mixture into a greased 8x8-inch baking dish, refrigerate for 4 hours until fully set, then cut into 1-inch cubes using a sharp knife.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Auction Lot Gummy Bears take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Auction Lot Gummy Bears?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsweetened apple juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Auction Lot Gummy Bears?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Auction Lot Gummy Bears for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Auction Lot Gummy Bears?
Kid Friendly kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
