Candy delights kids, but store-bought versions often harm health. Whip them up at home—your children will adore them, and they're far healthier than supermarket options.
Infused with fruits or flowers, these homemade treats pack natural benefits. Enjoy in moderation (or nearly so).
As a child, I was candy-obsessed—it was my guilty pleasure. But my teeth rebelled, and discovering the artificial ingredients in those treats was eye-opening. Now, with years of experience as a home cook specializing in natural foods, I craft my own wholesome versions. It's surprisingly simple!
Here are my two go-to natural candy recipes:
Drawing from my Sunday foraging hauls (lavender, linden blossoms, meadowsweet, violets, acacia, spruce tips, rose petals, and more), I create soft, flavorful gummies. Blend your flowers to yield about 1/4 liter of puree-juice.
In a saucepan, dissolve 4g agar-agar in 1/2 liter soft water, then boil for 3 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of honey until melted.
Combine the saucepan mixture with your blender puree. Spread into a large dish to 1cm thickness, refrigerate overnight, then cut into squares the next morning.
Bonus: These carry the therapeutic powers of the flowers—linden for soothing throats, lavender for relaxation, colds, fevers, or sinusitis.
Essential Oil Variant
Swap flowers for 2-3 drops of food-grade essential oil, added off-heat at the end. Favorites include bergamot, cardamom, sweet orange, and lemon. Always verify with your supplier that oils are safe for ingestion—not all are. For details, click here.
Fizz Sour Ribbons were a childhood favorite, but now I make a superior, additive-free version. If you can blend smoothies, you can do this.
Prepare fruit puree, sweeten with honey or sugar, and spread on a dehydrator tray (or oven sheet). Dehydrate for at least 5 hours (30 minutes at 60°C, then 45-50°C). The result is a flexible sheet—cut and savor!
Light Version
For a figure-friendly treat, swap honey for 1g stevia. It works beautifully.
Now you can make easy, quick bonbons at home.
Endless healthy options await. My top picks for kids:
DIY candies save money—and dentist bills! They're less sugary than industrial ones. Costs vary by ingredients, but they're always cheaper than store-bought. Treat yourself! :-)
