Immune Boosting Elderberry Gummies Recipe
on Dec 11, 2019
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These Elderberry Gummies are delicious, sweet, and immune boosting snack that’s made with elderberry syrup and gelatin. This recipe is easy and fun to make with kids, great for fighting off a flu or cold. I’ll share with you simple tips to make the best elderberry syrup gummy bears!
Elderberry Tea, Elderberry Syrup, and these fun and delicious elderberry gummy bears are my go-to remedies during the cold months.
Homemade elderberry syrup gummies
Elderberry gummies are a great way to address winter wellness goals, but store-bought gummies can be expensive if you are buying them for the whole family. You’ll be SHOCKED at how easy it is to make them at home!
Make some extra and they’re great for gifts!
Ingredients for elderberry gummies
Elderberry gummies are made of 3 ingredients:
- Elderberry syrup: Homemade elderberry syrup is better for this recipe as it’s not as thick as the store-bought ones.
- Gelatin: It helps to thicken the syrup and sustain the shape. It also plays a role in joint health and brain function.
- Water: You’ll need hot but not boiling water for this recipe
Elderberry syrup is really easy to make, you’ll need dried elderberries (available on Amazon), fresh ginger, cinnamon stick (or powder), raw honey and water. If you don’t have elderberry syrup already, you can see how to make it in the recipe.
How to make immune-boosting elderberry gummies?
Start with whisking together 1/4 cup of elderberry syrup (room temperature) with gelatin in a medium-sized bowl.
Add in the hot water and stir until completely dissolved. Then add the remaining elderberry syrup. Mix well.
Pour the syrup and gelatin mixture into each mold. I recommend using the miniature baster, which usually comes with the mold.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Make sure they’re firm before you unmold them.
Some tips:
- Get the hot water ready before you mix the gelatin and syrup, as you need to pour in the water immediately after you whisk together the other two ingredients. Otherwise it will be difficult to dissolve gelatin completely.
- It’s important to set up your molds for filling ahead of the time. After the mixture is ready, you’ll need to move quickly as the gelatin mixture will get thicker sitting at the room temperature.
- Fill in each mold to the top. If there are bubbles forming on the surface, just pop with the tip of a spoon or toothpick.
Health benefits of elderberry gummy bears
The key health benefits come from the elderberry fruit. It’s the dark purple berry from the European elder tree. It’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins, and therefore is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world. Key health benefits that are supported by studies include the following:
- Boost immunity: Elderberries help to increase antioxidant levels in the body and fight flu. They also offer protection against viruses that might damage cell walls, and decrease mucus production during cold and flu.
- Enhance heart health: Elderberries are also rich in potassium, and help regulate blood pressure and reduce the strain on the heart.
- Improve digestive health: The fiber in elderberries helps to enhance digestion and treat digestive issues like constipation, gas, and bloating.
Other benefits include strengthening bones, improving hair and skin health, and fight inflammation.
How many elderberry gummies can you take?
Depending on the size of the gummy bear, you can take about 3-5 gummies per day (about 1 teaspoon total) for prevention. If you are fighting flu symptoms, a conservative recommendation is to about 10-15 (3-4 teaspoons) per day until symptoms subside. Check with your pediatrician before giving them to kids.
How long do they last?
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they’ll last for up to 10 days. You can also store them in freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before serving.
Immune Boosting Elderberry Gummies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup elderberry syrup*, divided (room temperature), see recipe notes on how to make homemade elderberry syrup
- 1/4 cup gelatin, (4 tablespoons, or 4 Knox packets)
- 2/3 cup hot water, (not boiling)
Instructions
- Place molds on a baking sheet, and set aside a miniature baster/dropper.
- Get the hot water ready. Make sure it’s hot but not boiling
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of room temperature elderberry syrup with gelatin.
- Add in the hot water and stir until completely dissolved. (Make sure to add the hot water right away.)
- Add the remaining elderberry syrup. Mix well.
- Pour the gelatin mixture into each mold. I recommend using the miniature baster/dropper, which usually comes with the mold.
- Fill in each mold to the top. If there are any bubbles forming on the surface, just pop with the tip of a spoon or toothpick.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Make sure they’re firm before you unmold them. (Don’t try to speed up the chilling process by freezing them. It will make the gummies stick to the mold.)
Notes
- 1/3 cup dried elderberries
- 1 1/3 cup water
- 1 slice ginger
- 1/2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/3 cup raw honey or regular honey
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
Your article always inspire me 🙂 Thanks for this stuff guide!
How do you store these once firmed up in the mold?
Hi Amanda, once they are firmed up in the mold, you can unmold them, and place these gummies in an air-tight container (such as mason jars). Store in the refrigerator.
Hi! Do you have an alternative for gelatin? We don’t eat pork related products
Hi Nicole, you can use Agar Agar. It’s a vegan alternative to gelatin. Simply substitute gelatin with agar cup for cup. Hope it helps. Izzy
I don’t eat pork and i make these with organic grass fed beef gelatin… Works way better than the agar agar! Agar agar gives more of a jelly texture than a gummy
Where can you purchase the gummy molds?
Hi Kat, you can order the molds on Amazon, in different sizes.
Can you dissolve the gelatin in the hot water and then add to the syrup?
Yes, you can do that too. Izzy
Can you replace the water with a juice? To make the gummies sweeter?
Hi Christina, yes you can use juice for this recipe.