How to Make Homemade Jelly Beans

After all their years on the market, jelly beans remain one of the most popular candies, appealing to everyone from children to presidents. Less messy than chocolate, their hard shell makes them a good snack either for the office or for traveling. You can even make your own jelly beans at home.

Things You'll Need

• 3 packages gelatin
• 22 oz. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 4 oz. orange juice
• 2 oz. lemon juice
• 4 tsp. orange zest
• 4 tsp. lemon zest
• Baking pan
• Cornstarch
• Drying rack
• Electric mixer with coating bowl attachment

Instructions

1. Place 3 packs gelatin, 16 oz. sugar and 12 oz. water in a pan. Bring the ingredients to a boil over medium heat, stirring as you mix them. Continue to stir for 20 minutes.

2. Remove the pan from heat, and add 1/4 tsp. salt, 4 oz. orange juice and 2 oz. lemon juice. After the mixture has cooled a bit, stir in 4 tsp. orange zest and 4 tsp. lemon zest.

3. Chill a medium-size baking pan, then fill it with the mixture and let it harden for 4 to 5 hours.

4. Loosen the jelly from the pan with a knife, and dump it onto a cutting surface. Cut the jelly into small pieces, dusting them with cornstarch. Put them on a wire rack to dry.

5. Pour the jelly pieces into the coating bowl attachment, and add 2 oz. water and 6 oz. sugar. Turn the mixer on high for the suggested time according to the manufacturer's directions, or until the shells have achieved the thickness and appearance you want.

References

• How Jelly Beans Are Made