Try It Now: Homemade Fruit Snacks

I've been on a cooking/baking kick lately - trust me this is so unlike me - and I have another great, simple and nutritious recipe to share with you. When a friend posted some homemade fruit snacks she had made for her son, I knew I had to try this recipe out for myself. Her recipe is based on this one and so is mine but with a few minor variations. Last weekend I decided to make these healthy snacks for Jack and they were a hit! They took less than 15 minutes to make, were packed with lots of fruits and even some veggies and our entire family enjoyed them.

Per my friend's suggestion I decided to add a little bit of honey, I also used homemade applesauce (you can find my recipe here), which this time included carrots for an extra nutritional boost.

Gummy Fruit Snacks 
INGREDIENTS 
1 cup mixed berries (frozen or fresh)
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup fruit juice (I used apple but you can also use cranberry, blueberry)
1/4 cup of honey
2 envelopes gelatin (I used peach and berry blue)

DIRECTIONS

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the berries and water. Bring to a boil and cook until berries are soft - about 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender to puree berries until smooth. Return to pot. Add applesauce and honey, return to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and set aside. 

In a large bowl, sprinkle gelatin over fruit juice. Add hot fruit mixture and stir until gelatin completely dissolves - about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour into 8 x 8 inch glass or ceramic baking dish. 

Refrigerate until firm - about 3 hours. Cut into blocks or shapes.