Vitamin C gummies are a staple of germ season, and this homemade version is perfect for adults and kids to boost immunity when it’s most needed! This recipe is enhanced with vitamin C from real food ingredients like oranges, acerola cherries, and rosehips.
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Boost Your Immunity
During the season of indoor germ-sharing, it’s a good idea to boost immunity. I always feel the best way to do this is with ingredients that come from actual foods.
Vitamin C gummies are tasty and cute enough for kids to eat with joy but also packed with natural sources of immune-boosting vitamins so they are great for adults too. Need sugar-free vitamin C gummies? This recipe is it!
Vitamin C is an antioxidant known to help reduce the duration of viral symptoms and boost the immune system.
Taking vitamin C internally can also help iron absorption, and helps memory function too. It helps cells fight off free radicals, so take these homemade vitamin gummies daily for an optimum health boost!
Get more winter wellness recipes for teas, infusions, syrups, honey ferments, oxymels, and gummies in my ebook Herbal Immune Support: Homemade Recipes for Wellness!
Ingredients
These vitamin C gummies are made with ingredients that come from whole foods. Acerola cherries and rosehips are both naturally very high in vitamin C.
These gummies are a great way to get all of the benefits at once in one tiny bear, or whatever mold shape you prefer for your health gummy to be in!
Grass-fed gelatin is not only perfect for making these gummies take shape but also has health benefits of its own that will support hair, nails, skin, joints, and bones. Agar agar can be used as to substitute for a vegetarian or vegan gummy, but it hasn’t been tested in this recipe so the amounts may need to be adjusted.
Orange juice is known for its vitamin C content. While I love fresh squeezed, use what is easy and convenient in your area.
Rose hip syrup is wonderful for immune support on its own since rosehips are antioxidant and very high in vitamin C as it is, and using raw honey in the syrup adds yet another boost too. Either fresh or dried rosehips work for syrup, and store-bought rosehip syrup is ok to use too.
Rosehip powder is made from ground rosehips and has a variety of uses. It works perfectly to boost gummy recipes with vitamins and a good consistency.
Acerola berry powder comes from a type of berry (also called acerola cherry) that is very high in vitamin C and has an abundance of antioxidants. Used in a variety of recipes, acerola berry powder is full of nutrients and has a delicious and tart taste.
Note: Vitamin C powder can be a substitute for either the rosehip or acerola powders in this recipe or for both, and can also be an additional ingredient if desired.
How to Make Vitamin C Gummies
First, prepare your gummy molds of choice (I like these bear ones!) by putting them on a baking sheet that will fit in the refrigerator when it’s cooling time.
Pour the orange juice into a bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over it and let it bloom for a few minutes until it’s hydrated.
In the meantime, in a pot over low heat, warm the rosehip syrup until it is hot but not boiling. Whisk in the gelatin and orange juice mixture until it is completely dissolved.
Once the gelatin is dissolved, take the pan off the heat. Quickly whisk in the rosehip and acerola powders, adding the vitamin C powder too if you choose to use it.
Next, pour the mixture into the gummy molds. I like to use a dropper because it makes this task so much quicker and easier!
Refrigerate the gummy molds for an hour, or until the gummies are set.
Then pop the gummies out of the mold and enjoy tasty and optimal immunity and health for the whole family!
How to Use and Store Vitamin C Gummies
Store these cute and tasty vitamin gummies in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Adults can take 2-3 vitamin C gummies daily, and children can take 1-2. More is ok too as these are very safe, but it’s always a good idea to start slow.
The amount of vitamin C will vary per batch and will depend on the size of the gummies. It is hard to estimate since each powder will have differing amounts and natural sources can vary. For a more accurate estimate, I recommend using only vitamin C powder and doing the math based on how many gummies your mold makes.
With all of that said, there is not a real danger in over-consuming vitamin C. In mega-high doses, it could cause stomach upset and diarrhea, but it is very highly unlikely to achieve that amount in these vitamin gummies.
Cheers to low-risk health, immunity, and bear-shaped goodness!
For more immune-boosting recipes, try these:
- Homemade Elderberry Gummies
- Rose Hip Syrup
- Immune Boosting Herbal Tea Blend
- Fire Cider for Immune Support
- Elderberry Popsicles for Immune Support
- Self-Heal Oxymel
- Rose Hip Tea with Fresh or Dried Rose Hips
Vitamin C Gummies with Rosehips
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp grass-fed gelatin
- ½ cup room temperature orange juice
- ½ cup rose hip syrup
- 1 Tbsp rose hip powder
- 1 Tbsp acerola berry powder
- 1-3 Tbsp vitamin C powder optional
Instructions
- Prepare the gummy molds by putting them on a baking sheet that will fit in the refrigerator.
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the juice and allow it to sit for a few minutes to hydrate.
- Warm the rose hip syrup in a pot over low heat, until it is hot but not boiling.
- Add the gelatin and juice mixture to the syrup, whisking until completely dissolved.
- When the gelatin has completely dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and quickly whisk in the rose hip powder and acerola berry powder (and/or optional vitamin C powder).
- Fill the gummy molds using a dropper or by carefully pouring the mixture.
- Put the vitamin C gummies into the refrigerator for about an hour or until they are set.
- Pop the gummies out of the mold and store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- If you would like more potent gummies you can use vitamin C powder, but keep that in mind when you go to use them as they will be stronger.
- If you are vegetarian or vegan you can use agar agar powder instead of gelatin, but you will need to adjust the amount (read the label on the package).
- Instead of using gummy molds, you can also pour the mixture into a parchment lined pan and cut out squares or other shapes after it has set.
- Depending on the size of the gummies, take 1-3 per day when you are feeling sick or want to boost immunity. A small child will only need 1-2 gummies per day.
- The amount of vitamin C will vary per batch and will depend on the size of the gummies. It is hard to estimate since each powder will have differing amounts and natural sources can vary. For a more accurate estimate I recommend using only vitamin C powder and doing the math based on how many gummies your mold makes.
Hi colleen,
I would like to make a (refined) sugar free version and leave the syrup out/ replace in with more fruit juice . Is that possible? Or do I need to add a sugar alternatieve like stevia/ erythrol
Thx
Hi there. That should still work!
I pour the gelatin mixture over the mold and scrape with a type of spatula, fills everything in seconds, saves a ton of tedious filling.
Great tip!
Hi again Colleen! One more question. If I use tapioca flour instead of gelatin, do you know how much I should use for a batch this big? Is it same amount as the gelatin?
Thank you!
I don’t, sorry!
Hello! Thank you for with wonderful recipe. Can’t wait to try it. Just wondering if they will freeze well that way it’s easier to keep them on hand..
Hi there. Yes, that should be fine!
Hi Colleen,
If I don’t have fresh rosehips to make the syrup, would it essentially be the same thing to just add honey and more dried rosehip powder vs making a syrup from dried rosehips for this recipe? I’m also curious if you know if the hairs are removed in the powdered rosehips? Thanks for all of your amazing, inspiring recipes!
Hi Bianca. The hairs should be removed from dried rosehips. I’ve only used fresh rosehips for this recipe, but adding more rosehip powder should work, too.
Haven’t tried these recipes yet, looks great. I have a lot of inflammation and I’m hoping this will help.