Passion Fruit Gelées sound so fancy, don’t they? They’re easier than you might think! Homemade gelées are similar to gummy candies with a few added ingredients like applesauce to make them softer and less chewy. Any unsweetened puree can be substituted for the passion fruit, creating endless possibilities for this candy recipe. If you love making homemade candy as much as I do, you’re going to love this gelée recipe.
These passion fruit gelées are an updated version of a 2012 recipe. I wasn’t a fan of the photo, but I also like going back periodically to retest old recipes that I can barely remember making.
I don’t like it when I get questions about older recipes and am unable to offer much help. I love preparing homemade candies, but I don’t make them as often as I do, say, ice cream.
While I often create recipes for truffles and candied orange peel, I don’t think I’ve prepared gelées since originally publishing this recipe! Since I had leftover puree from this recent passion fruit sorbet recipe, it seemed like a good time to re-familiarize myself with the process.
A few readers ran into issues with the original version, which was also known as pâte de fruit. I’ve made several adjustments to this version so that it’s less advanced, namely adding unsweetened gelatin.
Recipe Notes
- The original version called for glucose syrup, which I have still used here. However, if you don’t see yourself making candies on a regular basis, you can get away with using regular corn syrup. The glucose syrup is much thicker and more viscous, so I do think it creates slightly better results.
- I used this passion fruit puree. It’s not cheap, unfortunately, but I’m sure there are cheaper options available. Make sure to purchase something unsweetened, since this recipe also has sugar and glucose syrup. Check at your local grocery store in the following aisles: international, canned goods, juices, and freezer.
- Citric acid, which is optional in this recipe, adds a sour flavor like what you’d find in sour gummies. Passion fruit has plenty of tang on its own, but I liked enhancing it with additional sourness.
- I used these silicone molds. Any similar-sized mold will work, but keep in mind that it will alter the yield.
- It took a bit of practice to figure out the best method for removing the gelées from the silicone molds. Some of mine would stick more than others, but they always detached eventually. Sometimes it was easier to invert the silicone, other times I gently pressed a butter knife into the side and they popped out.
I hope you enjoy these passion fruit geleés as much as we did!
Looking for More Candy Recipes?
Check out my Cookie Butter Truffles and S’mores Bark!
Passion Fruit Gelées
Ingredients
For the geleés
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons + 3/4 teaspoon unflavorered gelatin (3 packets Knox brand)
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup passion fruit puree (other fruit purees may be substituted)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons glucose syrup (corn syrup may be substituted)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons powdered pectin
- 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
For the coating
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon citric acid, or to taste (optional, see notes)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spread the applesauce in a very thin layer on a baking sheet, and place it in the oven for 30 minutes to remove the moisture.
- Place the gelatin in a large bowl, preferably one with a spout. Add the water and stir to combine. Set aside.
- Combine the applesauce, fruit puree and glucose syrup in a medium sized heavy-bottom saucepan. Combine the pectin with a few spoonfuls of the sugar and whisk it into the fruit puree mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking. The mixture will begin to thicken.
- Add approximately half the sugar and return the mixture to a boil, whisking the entire time. Add the remaining sugar and whisk for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the lemon juice.
- Whisk the hot passion fruit mixture into the gelatin until thoroughly combined.
- Set a silicone candy mold over a baking sheet or cutting board (this will make it easy to transport). Carefully pour or spoon the gelée mixture into silicone molds. Allow the gelées to set overnight (you can place them in the refrigerator to speed up the process).
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar and citric acid. Carefully remove the geleés, one at a time, from the silicone mold. This might take some practice if they don't pop right out. Be patient and don't rush if they're sticking. If necessary, you can use a butter knife to help dislodge them. I find it easiest to invert the silicone around each candy.
- Toss with the sugar mixture and serve. Gelées can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For best results, line the container with wax paper to prevent the candies from sticking.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
I’m craving some right now :)
I love that there is no gelatine involved. This is a great recipe. I could definately do with more low fat desserts!
I’m not sure what I did wrong but mine didn’t fully set. It has been nearly 24 hours in a silicone mold. Very pretty and nice flavor but need to be spooned out of the mood. Did I not use enough pectin or will they continue to set if I let them continue to dry out some?
Thanks!
Lisa
When something goes wrong, it’s so hard for me to know exactly what the issue is from a distance. I would think 24 hours is enough time, but it can’t hurt to wait longer. Did you make any modifications, by any chance? Also, did you measure by weight or volume? I always advocate for using a kitchen scale, especially since they’re so inexpensive. Cup and spoon measurements are less consistent. If you weighed the ingredients and didn’t change any ingredients or steps, I’m stumped :\
Sounds like a delicious flavor Jennifer! I’ve been wanting to try my hand at these! So pretty too!
I love these “gummy” treats for grown ups! So elegant, sophisticated and absolutely delicious!
This reminds me of those orange slices that I used to get as a kid. The passion fruit flavor is not one that I’ve had so I am definitely intrigued!
Holy cow these look spectacular!
Love that you used applesauce to soften! Great idea
Hi – you don’t say when to add the gelatin/water mixture. Is it at the end with the lemon juice?
Hi Kristina, thank you SO much. I can proofread a recipe 5 times, and somehow I sometimes still miss and important step. It’s always mortifying. I just altered the instructions to clarify. The gelatin will be very firm, so the hot passion fruit mixture is whisked into the gelatin bowl until thoroughly combined. I owe you one!
Great recipe!
Just an FYI, if you are going a little French-inspired with the spelling, the accent is on the first e–gelée!
Thank you! :)
FYI, citric acid is not Vitamin C, Absorbic acid is bit C.
Other than that thanks for the recipe :)
Thank you, I’ll fix that! That was my version of a brain typo; I should know better since I use L-AA serums on my face :)
The gelees were very good , but I think that since I put the gelees in fridge to set, once they came to room temperature they just turned sticky and the sugar coating which was so attractive was lost. These still taste very good, but they’re harder to share now.