CHERRY JELLY HEARTS CANDY

Cherry Jelly Hearts recipe for a fun & tasty take on popular jelly heart candy! Jelly Candy covered in white or dark chocolate or sugar. Cute for Valentine’s Day or anytime.

I love jelly candy! Nellie’s shared her Raspberry and Chocolate Orange Sticks and I thought it’d be cute to make jelly hearts. They’re softer and less gummy than the jelly hearts you buy in the store- my family loved them! I used cherry jello and cherry extract, so there was a bright fruit flavor. We loved them covered in chocolate or just covered in sugar. They were so easy to make as well- enjoy!

If you are in love with Valentine’s Day Desserts, find more of our favorite Valentine’s Day Desserts here!

Cherry Jelly Hearts Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this candy:

-2 packets unflavored gelatin (about 1 1/2 TBSP)

-4 oz. box cherry flavored Jello

-1 cup sugar

-3/4 cup hot water

-1/2 cup cold water

-1/2 tsp cherry extract (if you can’t find cherry, you can use any berry or fruit! I find the best variety of extracts at Walmart. You can also check craft stores- they usually have a lot in the cake decorating section!

-granulated sugar (for coating, if desired)

-1/2 cup white or dark chocolate melting wafers (for coating, if desired)

How to Make Cherry Jelly Hearts

Here’s how to make Cherry Jelly Hearts- it’s easy!

Prep Jello

In a small bowl, soften the unflavored gelatin in cold water and then set aside.

In a medium-sized saucepan on the stove, combine the sugar, cherry Jello and hot water. Continue stirring until everything is dissolved. Bring the jello to a boil over medium-high heat.  Add in the unflavored gelatin mixture and then slowly boil on medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and then add in the cherry extract.

Pour the jello into a 6″x9″ container that’s been sprayed well with non-stick spray. I used a tupperware.

Set Jello

Let it stand overnight.

Gently loosen the edges of the jello with your finger. Overturn the container onto a cutting board. You might have to give it a few shakes, but once one corner comes off, the whole block of jello will fall out.

Cut into Hearts

Use a small 1.25″ heart cookie cutter to cut 24 hearts out of the jello rectangle.

Melt chocolate in a small glass bowl for 1 minute. Let sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir until smooth. If chocolate’s still chunky, place back in microwave for 15 second intervals, waiting and stirring in between intervals so that you don’t seize the chocolate.

Coat in Sugar or Chocolate

Use a fork or a Wilton Dipping Tool to dip and coat each heart in chocolate. Shake off excess chocolate and transfer to wax paper to cool and set.

Drizzle with alternating chocolate, if desired.

To coat with sugar, place 3 TBSP sugar in a bowl. Place jelly heart in bowl and spoon sugar to coat all sides.

Cherry Jelly Hearts

Cherry Jelly Hearts recipe for a fun & tasty take on popular jelly heart candy! Jelly Candy covered in white or dark chocolate or sugar. Cute for Valentine's Day or anytime.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Candy

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cherry Jelly Hearts

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Jello Setting Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 24

Calories: 77kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

• 2 .25 oz packets unflavored gelatin about 1 1/2 TBSP
• 4 oz. box cherry flavored Jello
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/2 tsp cherry extract
• 3 TBSP granulated sugar for coating
• 1/2 cup white or dark chocolate melting wafers for coating

Instructions

• In a small bowl, soften the unflavored gelatin in cold water and then set aside.
• In a medium-sized saucepan on the stove, combine the sugar, cherry Jello and hot water. Continue stirring until everything is dissolved. Bring the jello to a boil over medium-high heat.  Add in the unflavored gelatin mixture and then slowly boil on medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and then add in the cherry extract.
• Pour the jello into a 6"x9" container that's been sprayed well with non-stick spray. I used a tupperware.
• Let it stand overnight to fully chill and set.
• Gently loosen the edges of the jello with your finger. Overturn the container onto a cutting board. You might have to give it a few shakes, but once one corner comes off, the whole block of jello will fall out.
• Use a small 1.25" heart cookie cutter to cut 24 hearts out of the jello rectangle.
• Melt chocolate in a small glass bowl for 1 minute. Let sit for 2-3 minutes, then stir until smooth. If chocolate's still chunky, place back in microwave for 15 second intervals, waiting and stirring in between intervals so that you don't seize the chocolate.
• Use a fork or a Wilton Dipping Tool to dip and coat each heart in chocolate. Shake off excess chocolate and transfer to wax paper to cool and set.
• Drizzle with alternating chocolate, if desired.
• To coat with sugar, place 3 TBSP sugar in a bowl. Place jelly heart in bowl and spoon sugar to coat all sides.
• Store candies in an airtight container on the counter or in the fridge. Will stay fresh for 7-10 days. Can be made 3-4 days in advance.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

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How Do You Store Candy Jelly Hearts?

Keep your uneaten jelly candies in an airtight container at room temperature or inside your fridge. Either option is up to you and some people prefer to eat them slightly chilled. They should last a week or two and be just fine with either option.

Can I Use other Shape Cutters?

Absolutely! You can use any silicone mold shape you want to create fun shapes. Imagine hearts around Valentine’s Day, or mini donuts either would be well received. You can adjust the molds to fit themes, holidays and events!

Can I Use a Different Flavor of Jello?

Absolutely! While raspberry, orange and even blue raspberry are pretty popular flavors, there is nothing holding you back from trying other jello flavors like black cherry, lime, or lemon. In fact, Those might actually turn out delicious, so if you do try them, report back and let me know!