These classic fruit flavored gumdrop cookies bring that old-fashioned charm to your Christmas baking, making them a perfect fit for busy families, and anyone who loves nostalgic holiday treats.
Around our house, they’ve been a family recipe for over 50 years. We love recipes that make memories, bringing generations together in the kitchen. Every year, we make dozens of cookies for Christmas and these cookies with chewy gumdrops are on the list.
This recipe checks all those boxes: it’s easy, kid-approved, and wonderfully festive.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Vintage flavor + fun colors. A true classic holiday cookie.
- Bright, fruity gumdrop bites make every cookie joyful and playful.
- Perfect for Christmas cookie trays or homemade gifts from the farm kitchen.
- Family-friendly. OlderKids love helping chop the gumdrops. These fun cookies are one of the most requested cookies by the kids.
Classic Fruit Flavored Gumdrop Cookies Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cup Lard or shortening
- 1 Cup Sugar divided
- 1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract
- 1-3/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Cup Fruit Flavored Gumdrops chopped or spiced gumdrops
- 2 Large Egg Whites room temperature
Instructions
- Using kitchen scissors, chop gumdrops into small pieces (pea-sized). Toss pieces with a tablespoon of flour to prevent sticking.1 Cup Fruit Flavored Gumdrops
- Mix Dry Ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.1-3/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour, 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda, 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer or stand mixer. Cream lard and 3/4 sugar until light and fluffy (about 5-7 minutes). Add almond extract. Mix well.3/4 Cup Lard, 1 Cup Sugar, 1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract
- Combine Wet and Dry. Slowly combine flour mixture with the wet ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together. Don’t overmix.
- Add Gumdrops. Fold the chopped gumdrops into the dough.
- In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar continuing to mix until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into dough.2 Large Egg Whites
- Shape Cookies. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Roll dough into 1-tablespoon balls. Optional: roll in granulated sugar for sparkle. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart. If you prefer, you can use ungreased cookie sheets, but I prefer lining the cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Bake for 10–14 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Christmas Gumdrop Cookies Recipe Tips & Tricks
These small touches make a big difference in farmhouse baking. Choose baking fruit-flavored gumdrops or gumdrop bits. These hold up beautifully in the oven without melting into the cookie dough. Use kitchen shears to cut the brightly colored gumdrops. Scissors cut gumdrops cleanly without dragging or squishing them. Lightly coat the blades with cooking spray or flour to prevent sticking. Flour the gumdrops. It keeps them from sinking or clumping. Parchment is your friend: Gumdrops can stick to unlined pans.How Do You Know When the Cookies are Done?
Watch the edges: Pull them as soon as they turn lightly golden for a chewy center. The centers should still look soft and slightly puffy. They will not look fully set while in the oven. They finish setting as they cool.Nutrition
Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead Tips
Storage
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Add a slice of bread to help keep cookies soft.
Freeze the Dough
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
- Freeze on a baking sheet.
- Transfer to a freezer bags for up to 3 months.
- Bake from frozen—add 1–2 minutes.
Freeze Baked Cookies
- Cool completely.
- Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature.
Fun Variations
Customize your cookies for different seasons or tastes:
Holiday Season Colors Only
Use just red and green gumdrops for Christmas. Switch out the gumdrop colors for different occasions.
Citrus Version
Add 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest for bright flavor.
Nutty Gumdrop Cookies
Mix in ¼ cup chopped pecans for a classic homestead touch.
Sprinkle-Coated Cookies
Roll dough balls in coarse sugar or red/green sprinkles.
Serving Ideas
- Add to Christmas cookie tins
- Serve with hot cocoa or spiced cider
- Perfect for church gatherings, potlucks, and cookie swaps
- Make a great homemade gift in jars or wrapped treat bags
Why Gumdrop Cookies Turn Out Hard & How to Fix Them
Overbaking (Most Common)
Even 1–2 extra minutes can make them firm.
Fix:
Bake only until the edges are just turning lightly golden. The centers should look soft. They firm up as they cool.
Too Much Flour
Scooping flour directly with a measuring cup packs it tightly, adding too much.
Fix:
Use the “fluff, spoon, and level” method or weigh the flour
→ 2 ¼ cups = 270 grams
Too much flour = dry, dense, hard cookies.
Gumdrops Were Too Large
If the gumdrop chunks are too big, the heat around them can make the cookie dense or hard in spots.
Fix:
Chop them into pea-sized pieces and lightly coat with flour.
Dough Was Overmixed
Beating too long after the flour goes in develops extra gluten.
Fix:
Mix dry ingredients in just until combined.
Cookie Sheet Was Too Hot
If you reuse a hot baking sheet, cookies start baking fast and dry out.
Fix:
Use a cooled sheet each time or rinse under cold water between batches.
Easy Fix for the Next Batch
Here’s a dependable tweak that always makes gumdrop cookies soft and chewy:
Soft & Chewy Adjustment
- Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch to the dry ingredients
- Reduce baking time to 9–10 minutes
- Chill dough 15–20 minutes before baking
Cornstarch keeps cookies tender, and chilling prevents over-spreading.
To Soften the Cookies You Already Made
If your daughter’s cookies turned out a bit hard:
Try this:
- Place cookies in an airtight container
- Add one slice of soft bread or half a tortilla
- Let sit overnight
They will soften by the next day as they absorb moisture.
Make holiday baking magical with this classic gumdrop cookies recipe. Soft, chewy, and packed with fruit-flavored chewy gumdrop pieces. These cookies are easy, festive, and perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges or cozy family treats. They are also one of the most requested cookies by the kids. A family tradition that has lasted through the generations.
delicious cookies especially for the kids.