This Homemade Fruit Snack is a delightful treat that has the perfect balance of fruity goodness and the irresistible deliciousness of chewy candies.
My recipe transforms fresh fruits into vibrant, flavorful gummies. These treats are full of natural fruit essence. These delicious fruit snacks are fun to make and it provides a sense of satisfaction that only adds to the joy in every bite.
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⭐Why You'll Love Homemade Fruit Snack
- Uses Simple Ingredients: You can easily find all the essential ingredients at your local grocery store.
- Simple and Easy to Prepare: This is a straightforward and uncomplicated recipe.
- Vibrant Citrus Flavor: Made with freshly squeezed orange juice and orange zest, it creates a refreshing flavor.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: This snack has soft and chewy texture that provides a delightful experience in every bite.
- Make in Advance: Make the fruit snack in advance, store it at room temperature, and serve when ready to eat.
- Perfect for Gifting: Share joy by sharing this delightful creation with loved ones.
- Perfect for Occasions: They are crowd favorite at social gatherings, potlucks, or holiday parties.
If you want more sweets you should check out Chocolate Caramel Candy, and Chocolate Fudge.
🧾Ingredients
Here is a list of everything you need:
- Orange Juice: Provide the base flavor with the natural and vibrant citrusy flavor of orange juice. You can also use lemon or lime or grapefruit instead of orange juice.
- Sugar: Sweetens the snack, creating a balanced taste.
- Cornstarch: Contributes to the soft and chewy texture, serving as a thickening agent.
- Orange Zest: The finely grated outer peel, adds a layer of citrusy aroma and enhances the overall orange flavor.
- Salt: Enhance and balance the overall flavors.
- Butter: Contributes a rich and creamy flavor and soft texture. You can use margarine or a plant-base butter alternative for butter.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Homemade Fruit Snack
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Grate the orange peel using a grater, then gather the grated zest and transfer it into a small bowl. Keep it aside for later use.
2. Cut the oranges and extract their juice.
3. Pour the freshly squeezed juice through a fine mesh strainer into a jug to remove any pulp, then dispose of the pulp.
4. Transfer the orange juice into a large saucepan.
5. Combine the sugar, orange zest, and cornstarch in the pan, stirring thoroughly until fully mixed and incorporated.
6. Set the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and continue stirring constantly to prevent any lumps from forming.
7. Incorporate the salt and butter into the mixture, stirring until they completely dissolve.
8. Keep cooking over low heat for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to pull away from the edges of the pan.
9. Transfer the mixture into the tray lined with parchment paper, using a spatula to smooth the surface. Let it cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for several hours or overnight until it solidifies.
10. Once the fruit snack has solidified, take it out of the baking tray and transfer it onto a cutting board. Peel off the parchment paper.
11. Slice the candy into rectangular shapes first, then proceed to cut those rectangles into smaller squares.
12. Cover the orange squares with granulated sugar to keep them from sticking together.
13. Arrange the fruit snacks on a plate or in a bowl.
📖Variations
- Spice Infusion: Add ground cinnamon and cloves for a warm spice flavor.
- Gingered Infusion: Add a kick to fruit snack with the invigorating touch of fresh ginger.
- Orange and Cardamom Infusion: This variation adds a touch of cardamon to the classic orange flavor, creating a delightful and aromatic experience.
🍽 How to Serve
- Room Temperature: Serve fruit snacks at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. This allows it to achieve its intended soft and chewy consistency.
- Presentation: Dust the Pate the Fruits with additional sugar before serving.
- Accompaniments: Serve with Peanut Butter Fudge, Chocolate Fudge, and Fudge.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Precision in Measurements: Follow the recipe measurements accurately, especially for sugar, water, and cornstarch. Precision is crucial for the right texture.
Use a Sharp Knife: When cutting, use a sharp knife, apply oil and clean the knife between each cut. This helps create clean edges.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
How to make gummies without gelatin?
In my recipe I have used cornstarch instead of gelatin, you can make these fruit snacks or gummies without using gelatin.
How long do fruit snacks last?
If you store fruit snacks in an airtight container at room temperature then you will be able to store them for short-term consumption for up to 1 week. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes!
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📖 Recipe
Homemade Fruit Snack
INGREDIENTS
- 240 ml orange juice
- 200 g sugar
- 120 g cornstarch
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 10 g butter
INSTRUCTIONS
- Zest an orange with a grater and collect the zest and place it in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cut the oranges in half and juice the oranges.
- Strain the freshly squeezed juice using a fine mesh strainer into a jug, and discard the pulp.
- Pour the orange juice into a large pan.
- Add the sugar, orange zest and cornstarch. Stir and mix well until everything is combined.
- Place the pan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add salt and butter, and stir until dissolves.
- Continue to cook over low heat for around 20-30 minutes, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Smooth the top with a spatula. Allow it to cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for a few hours or overnight until set.
- Once set, remove the fruit snack from the baking tray, place it on a cutting board, and remove the parchment paper.
- Cut it into rectangles and then into small squares.
- Coat the orange squares with granulated sugar to prevent sticking.
- Place the fruit snacks on a plate or bowl.
John
Excellent recipe
Sidney
Never made this. Did it for kids school project and I think we will add it to home favorites 😍
Estefania
Hi Sidney, I am glad to hear that, I am sure the kids will love it!
Estefania
Thanks