FRUITLESS FRUIT LEATHER

SOOBEE'S FRUITLESS FRUIT LEATHER
1/2 cup cool tap water
3/4 cup granular Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda
1 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid mix, any flavor
5 packets unflavored gelatin

In an 8x8" glass baking dish, mix the water, Splenda and Kool-Aid powder well. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the water then stir in. It will be a bit lumpy and not completely blended. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute; stir well. Microwave another minute; stir well. Microwave 30 seconds more and stir. Scrape out onto a 9x13" baking sheet that is lined with nonstick foil (you could also use a silicone baking sheet for this but a nonstick surface it very important). Cool at room temperature 30 minutes. Cut into strips and peel off the foil. Let dry overnight if possible.

I cut mine into 8 pieces going the length of the pan and 2 pieces across the short side to make 16 strips. After they have dried, you can roll them up like little fruit roll-ups and store them in the freezer or refrigerator.

Makes about 8 servings of 2 strips each

With granular Splenda:
Per Batch: 196 Calories; 0g Fat; 30g Protein; 18g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 18g Net Carbs
Per Serving: 25 Calories; 0g Fat; 4g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 2g Net Carbs

With liquid Splenda:
Per Batch: 124 Calories; 0g Fat; 30g Protein; trace Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; trace Net Carbs
Per Serving: 16 Calories; 0g Fat; 4g Protein; trace Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; trace Net Carbs

This was quite quick and easy to throw together and it set up very quickly. I think that Soobee got the sweetener just right. It's sweet but still nice and tangy from the Kool-Aid. I used black cherry Kool-Aid. The texture reminds me of gummy bears and it's fun to eat.

Here's how mine looked on the baking sheet. My pan was a little warped so I ended up with some thicker spots. The goo will be very sticky but it only took some very hot tap water and a few minutes of soaking to get it off my baking dish and utensils.

Here's a flavor and shape variation:

LICORICE GUMMIES
1/2 cup cool tap water
3/4 cup granular Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda
2 teaspoons anise extract
1 drop red food coloring, optional
2 packets unflavored gelatin

In an 8x8" glass baking dish, mix the water, Splenda, extract and food coloring well. Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the water then stir in. It will be a bit lumpy and not completely blended. Microwave on HIGH 1 minute; stir well. Microwave another minute; stir well. Microwave 30 seconds more and stir. Pour into two mini loaf pans, 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" each, that have been lined with nonstick foil. Chill about 1 hour until set. Lift the foil out of the pans and gently peel it off the candy. Cut each bar into 8 pieces and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Makes about 8 servings of 2 gummies each

With granular Splenda:
Per Batch: 126 Calories; 0g Fat; 12g Protein; 18g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 18g Net Carbs
Per Serving: 16 Calories; 0g Fat; 1g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 2g Net Carbs

With liquid Splenda:
Per Batch: 54 Calories; 0g Fat; 12g Protein; trace Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; trace Net Carbs
Per Serving: 7 Calories; 0g Fat; 1g Protein; trace Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; trace Net Carbs

This was a flavor variation posted by Soobee but it was my idea to make this into gummies instead of "leather". I normally don't care for black licorice but for some reason this flavor sounded good to me and I did enjoy it. I used Kroger brand pure anise extract and I added the food coloring because the extract is clear. I thought that the candy would look more appetizing with at least a little color. Below you can see what my mini loaf pans looked like and how the gummies looked before cutting. For some reason they came out very firm this time so I may try using just 4 packets of gelatin next time.

UPDATE: I've changed the gelatin to 2 packets instead of five. The end result is pretty much the same. It just takes a little longer to set up. I also tried it with one packet but they end up more like Jello Jigglers than gummies. I haven't tried using less gelatin with the fruit leather version but I think it would probably work fine. Just make a rim around the edge of the foil so that it won't run off before it sets up.

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