In the “easy-steps-yielding-fun” category, elderberry gummies stand out.
They’re a simple, easy way to get your daily dose of elderberry goodness.
This recipe is simple and straightforward–especially if you have some yummy homemade elderberry syrup already made!
(What? No elderberry syrup made? Start with my elderberry syrup recipe here…)
I waited a long time to make elderberry gummies.
Why? I had reservations about animal-derived gelatin.
Then I remembered: I have ChillOver® Powder from MaryJanesFarm!
ChillOver® Powder isn’t gelatin–it’s “an odorless powdered sea vegetable with superior gelling qualities.”
IT’S VEGAN.
But it works like gelatin. Actually, it works better than gelatin.
For gummies using this powder, I use a 1-to-1 ratio of powder to liquid–that’s much more powder-to-liquid than her typical recommended ratio, but that’s what has worked to create solid gummies that we liked using the (admittedly older) ChillOver® Powder that we have. You will, of course, want to find the one that’s right for you. If you’re in doubt, I recommend making a sample batch with different ratios of powder-to-liquid to see what you prefer.
The recipe shared below reflects the ratio I used to get them… Your perfect ratio may vary–and should to suit your taste.
Get your daily dose of immune-supportive herbal elderberry syrup in a delicious gummy made with an easy to use, non-animal based gelling agent!Yummy Gelatin-Free Elderberry Gummies
Ingredients
Directions
REMINDER: Don’t use honey-based elderberry syrups or recipes with young babes!
NOTE: To avoid having to heat the precious honey that sweetens my homemade elderberry syrups, I steep my elderberries and herbs and pour off half the resulting steeped syrup. I allow the separated 1/2 cup to cool slightly before mixing in my honey and bottling for elderberry syrup. To the 1/2 cup remaining in the pot, I add the Chillover powder and boil for three minutes. At three minutes, I turn off the heat and remove the pan to allow it to cool somewhat before adding my honey and pouring off into my gummy molds.
I was excited to find a vegan elderberry gummy recipe; however, by boiling the syrup, the healthy properties of the honey get boiled away. 🙁
Yes. 🙁 The honey will remain delicious, but many of its beloved properties are compromised by boiling. Since first making these gummies and sharing this recipe, I’ve switched from using pre-made elderberry syrup with honey to making the syrup fresh for this recipe and adding the honey after so it isn’t boiled. It not only preserves the honey’s goodness, it also seems to eliminate the unwanted flavor that comes from heating honey up too hot. I plan to share that recipe and approach when I’ve got the time.
Will boiling the syrup destroy the benefits of the honey if the syrup is homemade?
Yes. 🙁 The honey will remain delicious, but many of its beloved properties are compromised by boiling. Since first making these gummies and sharing this recipe, I’ve switched from using pre-made elderberry syrup with honey to making the syrup fresh for this recipe and adding the honey after so it isn’t boiled. It not only preserves the honey’s goodness, it also seems to eliminate the unwanted flavor that comes from heating honey up too hot. I’ve now updated the post to reflect that change… 😉
When making you r syrup, simply add the honey after mixture has cooled down to slightly hot. This is how we’ve done ours this year. I hear you though we didn’t use this method last year and it was way too sweet – just ewww. Plus making your own is much more cost effective.
I make and use my own vegan honey and maple syrup. I assume this will work just fine?
Should do–though I can’t say for sure having never tried it! If you give it a go, let me know how it comes out!?