Description
Delight in these vegan gummy bears made without gelatin, using fresh strawberries, kombucha, and agar-agar powder. Sweetened lightly with organic cane sugar, these gummies offer a fruity, chewy treat that is perfect for vegan and gelatin-free diets. They’re easy to make at home and set quickly in the fridge.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits & Liquids
- 2.75 cups fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 cup kombucha (or fruit juice as an alternative)
Sweetener & Thickening Agent
- 3 tablespoons organic cane sugar
- 3.5 teaspoons agar-agar powder
- 2 tablespoons water (for agar-agar paste)
Instructions
- Prepare molds: Ensure silicone gummy bear molds are clean and thoroughly dry. Place them on a stable tray or chopping board that fits inside your refrigerator.
- Puree strawberries: Wash the strawberries, remove their tops, and blend them in a food processor or blender until very smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a saucepan to remove seeds and pulp.
- Simmer fruit mixture: Add organic cane sugar to the strawberry puree. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it simmers. Stir continuously for 8-10 minutes to reduce the puree and prevent scorching. Then add the kombucha and whisk to incorporate it evenly.
- Make agar paste: In a small bowl, combine agar-agar powder with 2 tablespoons of water to create a smooth paste.
- Cook agar mixture: Stir the agar paste into the simmering fruit mixture. Increase the heat to high until the mixture reaches a bubbling boil, then reduce to medium heat and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool slightly for a couple of minutes.
- Fill molds: Using a dropper or small spoon, fill the silicone molds with the warm gummy mixture. Carefully transfer the tray to the refrigerator.
- Set gummies: Chill the molds in the fridge for approximately 30 minutes until the gummy bears are firm and set.
- Store gummies: Pop the gummy bears out of the molds and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 4 days for best freshness.
Notes
- Kombucha can be substituted with fruit juice such as apple or grape juice, but kombucha gives a slight tang and probiotic benefits.
- You can adjust sweetness by adding more or less cane sugar according to taste.
- Agar-agar powder is essential as the vegan gelatin substitute and must be cooked well to activate its gelling properties.
- Make sure to continuously stir during cooking to avoid burning or clumping.
- Use silicone molds for easy removal of gummy bears; other flexible molds can work as well.
