Homemade Gummy Bears wplus milk probiotic version

http://wholesome-cook.com/2014/03/31/homemade-gummy-bears-with-no-added-sugar-plus-10-tips-for-making-them-at-home/

Heartweed- can also use juice for the fruit puree and water.

Homemade Gummy Bears with No Added Sugar

Author: Martyna | Wholesome Cook

Recipe type: lollies, gummy bears, sweets, snacks, healthy, sugarfree, dairyfree, glutenfree

Prep time:  20 mins

Cook time:  2 mins

Total time:  22 mins

Serves: 2-4

Fruit: berries of all sorts and mangoes provide the best results when making puree gummy bears at home. If using frozen fruit, ensure the puree is close to room temperature before mixing with warm gelatin. You can strain the puree to get rid of the seeds or leave them in, we quite like the texture. Liquid: you can use filtered water, coconut water or milk of your choice for the remaining liquid. For Milky version, use cow's milk or any other milk you like - we used Pure Harvest Organic Almond Milk - it really is like homemade. Things you can add: probiotic powders, protein powders, green powders, maca, etc. Always add to the cool liquid to preserve nutritional value. Moulds: if you don't have fancy-shaped moulds, pour the liquid into a baking tin lined with baking paper. Allow to set then cut into squares with a knife.

Ingredients

• For a Fruity Version:
• ½ cup pureed fruit (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry or mango)
• ½ cup liquid (filtered water, coconut water or milk of your choice)
• 1-2 tablespoons natvia (stevia granules), or honey if you prefer
• 3 tablespoons gelatin powder (I used grass-fed gelatin) HW: AGAR powder or flakes can be substituted for VEGAN see note below 11/2 tsp of agar powder per cup of liquid 
• 
  

For a Milky Version:

• 1 cup milk of your choice (cow's, rice, oat or almond - we used Pure Harvest Organic Almond Milk)
• 3 tablespoons powdered gelatin
• 1 tablespoon natvia (granulated stevia), honey or sugar if you prefer
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder
• 2 capsules dairy-free probiotics powder (such as Inner Health Plus)

Things you might like to add:

• extra probiotic powder, protein powder, vanilla powder, green powder, bee pollen, maca, fish oil, etc

Instructions

For the Fruity Gummy Bears:

1. Place pureed fruit into a beaker for easy pouring into the moulds.
2. In a small saucepan whisk liquid with gelatin over low heat, until dissolved. It is not recommended for the mixture to boil.
3. Pour the gelatin liquid into the pureed fruit and whisk to prevent the gelatin from setting in clumps. Add anything else you might like and whisk to incorporate.
4. Pour the mixture into moulds and place in the fridge for 15 or so minutes to set (if you place the moulds on top of an ice-filled tray, jellies will set quicker).
5. Remove from moulds and store in the fridge in an air-tight container for 1-2 weeks.

For the Milky Gummy Bears:

1. Heat ½ cup milk and gelatin in a small saucepan over low heat, whisking until the gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat. Whisk in remaining milk, natvia, vanilla powder and probiotic mixture.
2. Pour into moulds and place in the fridge to set for 15 minutes or so.
3. Remove from moulds and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Vegan Gummy Bears

Agar agar powder is the most common substitute for gelatin in vegetarian and vegan jelly-making. To make Vegan Gummy Bears, add 1 1/2 teaspoons agar agar powder to 1 cup liquid. Unlike gelatin, agar mixture should be brought to a boil to set, so if you are working with heat-sensitive ingredients like probiotics or vitamins, perhaps only boil half the liquid.

Note:  1 teaspoon of agar powder equals 1 TABLEspoon agar flakes 

One of the advantages of agar, apart from being plant-based, is the fact that it does not melt when stored out of the fridge which might make for better lunchbox treats.