Applets -- Sugar Free, you bet!

Are they Aplets or Applets or Applettes??  Whatever they are, they are yummy, and have no sugar, wheat or soy in them!


If you've been following my blog, this is basically a re-visit of the gummy candies we made the other day.  Those were definitely easier, but the coating worked out better with these.  No one outside the family tried the gummies, but a non-sugar-free friend had some of these and couldn't stay out of them!


Applets -- Sugar Free, you bet!


In a medium sized saucepan, soften (let rest without heat)


3 packets unflavored gelatin 
in
1/2 cup applejuice


for about 5 minutes.  Break up any lumpy bits during that time.


Meanwhile, boil 


2 1/2 cups applejuice
3/4 cups fructose


for about 15 minutes to thicken it.


Combine


1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup cornstarch


Add it and the gelatin mixture to the boiled juice.  Stir it well to combine.  Stirring constantly, boil the mixture for another 10 minutes or until it is very thick.


Add (if desired)


2 cups chopped walnuts


(We didn't do ours with nuts, but the traditional candy always has nuts in it.)


Run cold water over the back of a 9"x9"x2" metal pan, then pour the apple paste into it.  Allow it to set up for a couple of hours, then cut it into 1 1/2" cubes.


In a small zippered bag, combine about


2 tablespoons Stevia in the Raw (measurable)
2 tablespoons cornstarch


Drop the candy, piece-by-piece, into the cornstarch mixture, shaking them gently to cover them with the powder.  Set them on a plate as they are finished.  Continue this process until all of the candies are done.


Makes about 36 candies.

Sugar Free Gummy Candy (Bears, worms, etc.)

This isn't perfected yet, but I don't want to lose it.  Here's where we're at with the development:


Sugar Free Gummy Candy (Bears, worms, etc.)


1 small package sugar-free flavored gelatin mix
2 packets unflavored gelatin (Knox)
1/3 cup water


Put all of the ingredients in a small sauce pan and allow them to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes.  Then, over medium heat, dissolve the mixture, stirring while heating it.  Carefully pour the gelatin mixture into ice cube trays or candy molds and allow them to set up for about 20 minutes.


Once the candy has set up, put 2 tablespoons Ideal Confectionery into a zippered bag.  Shake each piece of candy in the bag to coat it.  Place the coated candies on a plates and serve.  (They were gone before I got that far!)


I found the Ideal Confectionery made the candies taste a lot better, but also made them rather "melty."  I was hoping for something more like Aplets (Applets) and Cotlets.  It's a work in process and we'll keep trying!