Creep out your friends this Halloween by serving them homemade gummy brains, skulls, or ghosts. These homemade Halloween candies are fun to make in your favorite flavors and shapes.
![gummy brains, gummy skulls, and gummy ghosts.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/halloween-gummy-brains-skulls-ghosts.jpg)
Making homemade gummy candies and gumdrops is so much fun. You can add your favorite flavors like green apple, raspberry, pineapple, cherry, grape, etc. There are so many options.
You can also make homemade gummies using a variety of silicone molds.
I'm going to show you how to create Brain Memorrahage Gumdrops that look like they have blood inside, white Gumdrop Ghosts, and skull-shaped gumdrops. They all use the same recipe but are made in different molds.
Let's make some Halloween gummy candies.
![homemade gumdrops ingredients including corn syrup, baking soda, sugar, pectin, and candy oils.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/homemade-gumdrops-ingredients-scaled.jpg)
Ingredients
powdered fruit pectin (not low or no sugar pectin) - I used Sure-Gel pectin. Some pectins, like Ball Pectin, have a brownish tint. You really want to use clear pectin when making these gumdrop brains and Sure-Gel pectin is nice and clear.
baking soda - Baking soda will provide lift to the candies so they are airy and light. These gumdrops have the most amazing texture. They are softer than store-bought gumdrops.
sugar - Use granulated sugar to make your candy sweet. You will also coat your gumdrops in sugar to keep them from sticking.
light corn syrup - Not only does corn syrup add sweetness, but it also prevents your gumdrops from crystallizing and adds the perfect chew to the candies.
flavored candy oil - I use candy oils to flavor my homemade gumdrops. Start by adding ¼ teaspoon of the candy oil to the hot gumdrop mixture. To test the flavor, fill a glass with ice cubes, then pour in some water. Dip a metal spoon into the hot gumdrop candy mixture then set that spoonful of candy into the ice water to cool for one minute. Once the candy cools, you can taste it to see if you want to add more flavoring.
liquid food coloring - You will add a drop of liquid red food coloring to each gumdrop brain to make them look bloody inside. To make the ghosts and skulls white, add some white food coloring. Or you can simply leave them clear. They look great either way.
Supplies
Brain Freeze Molds (4 molds with four brain cavities) to make gummy brains
Gingerbread men silicone molds to make gumdrop ghosts
Skull and crossbones molds to make skull gumdrops
optional, food handling glove to help with greasing your molds
1 ½ or 2-quart saucepan, preferably a good quality stainless steel pan
2 or 3-quart saucepan
candy thermometer
glass bowl with a spout or a glass mixing bowl
skewer or toothpick
You can find the supplies needed to make Halloween gummies on Amazon.com. I earn a small commission when you make a purchase using the links in this post at no extra cost to you.
![3Pcs 4 Holes Brain Ice,Ice Mold Elastic Silicone With Lid Ice Cube Creative Brain Shape Ice Hockey Household Ice Cube Ice Box Complementary Food Box Freezer For Whiskey, Beverages, Juice](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51g4MwwA3eL._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![Genuine Fred BRRRAINS Silicone Ice Tray](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ON1SAV42L._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![HENGSONG Silicone Ice Tray Bar Ice Cube Tray Freeze Novelty Brain Mold Mould Maker Halloween Drink (Red)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41UyT-ZtHgL._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![Sure Jell Premium Fruit Pectin For Homemade Jams And Jellies, 100% Natural, 1.75 Ounce (Pack of 2)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51VbJqo7NWL._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![Karo Light Corn Syrup 32 Fl Oz. .95l](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/410I3yWNO4L._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Sauce Pan 3 Quart Induction Oven Broiler Safe 600F Pots and Pans, Cookware Silver](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/318VVT2lHiL._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![Taylor Stainless Steel Candy Deep Fry Food Cooking Kitchen Analog Thermometer, 12 Inches](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31W2g4XuLNL._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![Fairly Odd Novelties Bone Chiller Skull and Crossbones Ice Cube Tray,Black,8 Cube,FON-10020](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41iw4YMn8cL._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![2 Pcs Halloween Silicone Baking Molds,6-Cavity Silicone Bat Pumpkin Face Skull Ghost Jelly Chocolate Mould,8-Cavity Skull Crossbones Ice Cube Trays,Candy Bread Soap Muffin Pumpkin Fondant Mold](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IDMfuo+pL._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![Wilton 24 Cavity Silicone Gingerbread Boy Mold Pan](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41aYkGH2G5L._AC_AC_SR98,95_.jpg)
![Gumdrop Brains - homemade gumdrops shaped like brains with red "blood" inside](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/brain-hemorrhage-gumdrops-for-Halloween-copy.jpg)
Let's start with the brains.
These bleeding candy brains will make a killer addition to a food table at your Zombie party, Serve them alongside Cake Ball Brains, Hot Chocolate Bomb Brains, Stuffed Pizza Brains, and Zombie Candy Cups.
I have a bit of an obsession with bleeding brains for Halloween. Although I love creating cute party food, when it comes to Halloween the more gruesome the better. These are definitely in the creepy Halloween food category.
![Cut open gumdrop brain showing a cross-section of red food coloring blood inside.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/brain-hemorrhage-gumdrops-gross-Hallowen-food-.jpg)
I think it's really cool how you can see the ruby-red blood inside the clear gummy brain. Don't worry, the blood is just red food coloring.
Instructions
![Fred and Friends silicone brain mold.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/fred-and-friends-brain-freeze-mold-.jpg)
Step 1 - Grease your silicone brain molds.
Butter your silicone brain molds before you make your batch of gumdrops. I recommend using butter because the cooking spray will leave a film on your silicone molds.
![Making homemade gumdrops using pectin, sugar, and corn syrup.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gumdrop-recipe-using-pectin-homemade-candy-2.jpg)
Step 2 - Make homemade gumdrops.
- Pour corn syrup and sugar into a buttered 3-quart saucepan set over medium-high heat.
- Cook until a candy thermometer reaches 280 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Meanwhile, in another saucepan bring water, pectin, and baking soda to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Once the sugar syrup reaches 280 degrees, pour in the pectin syrup.
- Stir constantly for one minute then remove it from the heat.
- Stir in the flavoring.
These candies have a wonderfully soft gummy texture. If you prefer a firmer gummy candy, you can use my Gummies Recipe instead.
![Pouring hot gumdrop candy mixture into a silicone brain mold.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/homemade-gumdrops-Halloween-candy-brains-.jpg)
Step 3 - Fill brain molds with the hot syrup.
- Set your silicone brain molds on a baking pan or cutting board that will fit into your freezer.
- Pour the gumdrop mixture into the brain molds, filling them about ¾ full.
- You can top them off after you fill up all 8 brains. You won't have enough to completely fill the mold.
![Drop red food coloring into the warm gumdrop brains and stir it in using a skewer.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/brain-gumdrops-recipe-for-Halloween-.jpg)
Step 4 - Make the brains look bloody!
- Immediately, poke a hole in each brain using a skewer or toothpick that has been dipped in red food coloring.
- Swirl the skewer around a bit, spreading the red coloring around inside the brains.
![Un-mold the gumdrop brains and coat in sugar.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/brain-freeze-mold-gummy-brains-for-Halloween-.jpg)
Step 5 - Cool the gumdrop brains.
- Allow the gumdrops to cool at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Then, pop the molds into the freezer for an hour.
- Remove, and un-mold the brains onto some sugar.
- Coat all the gumdrop brains in sugar.
The brains look eerily transparent without sugar, but they are pretty sticky, so I do recommend coating them.
![Gumdrop brains covered in granulated sugar.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gumdrop-brains-gross-Halloween-food-.jpg)
Step 6 - Storing your homemade gumdrop brains.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a month.
- Do not refrigerate. They will become sticky.
![Translucent gumdrop brain on a pile of granulated sugar.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gummy-brains-Halloween-candy-recipe-.jpg)
What do you think? Could you eat a candy brain?
If not, how about a candy ghost instead?
![gummy ghosts with candy eyes](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/halloween-gummy-ghosts.jpg)
Making gumdrop ghosts.
To make these gummy ghosts, start by greasing a silicone Gingerbread Man mold with butter.
Then, make the gumdrop syrup and stir in a few drops of white food coloring if you want them to be opaque white. Otherwise, they will look clear.
I actually used pectin that had a brown tint to it so my ghosts are not pure white. If you use clear pectin, your ghosts will look brighter.
![making homemade gumdrop ghosts using white-colored gummy candy.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/homemade-gumdrop-ghosts.jpg)
Pour the white gumdrop syrup into the buttered mold. Let the candy cool at room temperature for about 8 hours until the candy firms up or cool at room temperature for 1 hour then freeze for 30 minutes.
Un-mold the candy ghosts directly into granulated sugar. Coat the candies completely in the sugar.
Use light corn syrup to attach two small candy eyes to each ghost. They are ready to serve.
![Halloween gummies skulls and crossbones.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/halloween-gummies-skulls-crossbones.jpg)
Making gumdrop skulls.
You'll do the same thing to make skull and crossbones gummies.
Start by making the gumdrop syrup using the recipe below and then add white food coloring.
![making gumdrop skulls using a skull and crossbones ice cube tray.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/making-homemade-gummy-skulls.jpg)
Pour the hot gumdrop syrup into a well-buttered skull and crossbones ice cube tray.
Let the gummy candy harden for 8 hours at room temperature or speed up the process by freezing the candy after 1 hour.
Unmold into granulated sugar and coat the entire surface of the candy.
Substitutions
![homemade gummy worms, sharks, fish, elephant, dinosaurs, starfish, hippos, lions, giraffe, bears, and more](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/gummy-candy-worms-sharks-fish-dinosaur-elephant-giraffe.jpg)
You can use gelatin if you want your candies to be chewier. Check out my Gummies Recipe where I use fruit juice and clear gelatin to make gummy candies or my Homemade Gummy Candy Recipe where I use boxes of flavored Jell-O to make flavored gummy candies.
Variations
![Grape gumdrop bats with homemade candy eyes.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/homemade-gumdrop-bats-grape.jpg)
You can make grape gummy bats using grape gelatin.
![red, white, and blue gumdrop stars spilling out of a 4th of July pail](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/red-white-and-blue-gumdrop-stars-recipe.jpg)
Make gumdrop stars by coating clear gumdrops in colored sugar.
![homemade sour gummy bunnies with candy eyes, a pink sprinkle nose, and a black jimmy smile.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/sour-gummy-bunnies.jpg)
Add citric acid to the sugar to make Sour Gummies.
Be sure to check out all the Halloween recipes here on Hungry Happenings.
Recipe
This recipe was originally published on October 3, 2013.
![gummy brains, gummy skulls, and gummy ghosts.](https://hungryhappenings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/halloween-gummy-brains-skulls-ghosts-180x180.jpg)
- butter, to grease pan and brain mold
- ¾ cup water
- 1.75 ounces original powdered fruit pectin (not low or no sugar pectin)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- ¼ -½ teaspoon flavored oil, I used LorAnn Sour Apple oil
- granulated sugar to coat gumdrops
- red liquid food coloring
- white food coloring
- 40 small candy eyes
-
Butter your brain molds before you make your batch of gumdrops.
-
Pour corn syrup and sugar into a buttered 3-quart saucepan set over medium-high heat.
-
Cook until a candy thermometer reaches 280 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
Meanwhile, in another saucepan bring water, pectin, and baking soda to a boil, stirring constantly.
-
Once the sugar syrup reaches 280 degrees, pour in the pectin syrup. Stir constantly for one minute then remove it from the heat.
-
Stir in the flavoring.
-
As soon as your gumdrop mixture is ready, pour it into a glass bowl, preferably with a spout.
-
Pour the gumdrop mixture into your brain molds, filling them ¾ full.
-
Immediately, poke a hole in each brain using a skewer or toothpick that has been dipped in red food coloring.
-
Swirl the skewer around a bit, spreading the red coloring around inside the brains.
-
Allow the gumdrops to cool for 1 hour then pop the molds into the freezer for an hour.
-
Remove, and un-mold the brains onto some sugar.
-
Coat all the gumdrop brains in sugar.
-
Store in an airtight container for up to a month.
-
To make ghost or skull gumdrops, color the sugar syrup with white food coloring after it has been cooked to the right temperature.
-
Pour the syrup into greased silicone molds.
-
Let the candy cool and harden at room temperature for about 8 hours or at room temperature for 1 hour then 30 minutes in the freezer.
-
When firm, unmold the candies into granulated sugar. Toss to coat them completely.
-
For the ghosts, you can add two small candy eyes using corn syrup as edible glue. Once recipe should make about 20 ghosts so you'll need 40 candy eyes.
Use Clear Pectin
You want pectin that is white or clear-looking. I used Sure-Jell for this recipe. Ball pectin has a brown hue to it so I don't suggest it for this project.
Storage
Store your candies in an airtight container for up to a month.
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Anonymous
I love creepy halloween food. Your food manages to be both creepy and cute at the same time. I love it! -- Sara Jelinek (sjelinek6@gmail.com)
Anonymous
Now that's the Beth I have been waiting for. This is totally gross and I have to make 105 of these and the best thing, I already have the molds. Can you tell you have made me a happy ghoul? Thank you for all of your hard work and great brain. Trish Butler
Janine Eshelbrenner
Totally creepy! Love it!
Hani
These seriously creep me out. You are so awesome with all your Halloween ideas!
Do you think I could sneak some kind of a fruit puree into this recipe. I've tried last year using some other recipe
and it didn't work.
beth
If you actually made the brains, you could probably use a fruit syrup in place of the red food coloring. Otherwise, I bet you can just swap out some of the water for the fruit puree. I'll have to give that a try.
Rachel Rodrigues
I LOVE Creepy Halloween Food 🙂
Shelbie Johnston
Sara Moulton!!!
Shelbie Johnston
of course! the creepier the better! muahahahaha!
Jamie Leigh Martin
Sara Moulton! I got that part situated Beth, but even if I follow and unfollow on Twitter 900 times [I really want this cookbook!], it still will not allow me add this entry. You're welcome. Thanks for the chance.
beth
I'm so sorry about that Jamie. No one apparently has been able to get that to work and it must be a bug in PunchTab's html. I don't know how to fix it. So at least everyone is on the same playing field. I can't even delete it. I just looked at the giveaway entry form, and really don't like it very much. I wont use it again, but I cant get rid of it now. Live and learn. I really appreciate you working so hard to enter! Good luck:)
mlaiuppa
How very cool. I actually have some Sure-Jell I got in the bargain bin at the grocery store and I have the brain freeze ice cube trays too!. I'm thinking of bring brains to school as treats for the teachers. (I'm the librarian). Thanks so much for the inspiration.
beth
Perfect! It's a new use for Sure-Jell for most people, and I really love using it as apposed to gelatin for gumdrops. I hope you like it too!
Jamie Leigh Martin
I'm having trouble with one of your entries; I tried to see which chef reviewed your book; it gave me entries for visiting, but when I try to go to the link, it won't allow me see it without being an Amazon affiliate; what can we do? ♥
beth
Hi Jamie, thanks for letting me know. I think I fixed it. It's my first time using the giveaway widget from PunchTab. Let me know it you get it to work. Thanks for entering!
Anonymous
love spooky food
leutheb at msn dot com
Jamie Leigh Martin
I love creepy food, and -gasps-, I might actually be able to make this one!
sandy
creepy food is the best
sandy
creepy food is the best
Anonymous
I love Halloween and the creepier the food the better!
spgoddess55(at)msn(dot)com
Anonymous
I like creepy food.
Anonymous
You are so talented! That is such a great idea! I just bought that brain mold to try out your cake pops this year! Love it!
sugarswings
You make the best halloween stuff!! ick, but i love it!!
Bhrngari
I'm not really a creepy Halloween food person. I prefer cute Halloween food as I have a 5 year old son.
Kristina Grapes
I love creepy Halloween food! It's fun to make, and even more fun to watch people cringe while they eat it!
beth
I too love watching my party guests squirm a bit. Only one of my guests has been too grossed out to eat something, which is good:)