Use Jell-O, Chocolate, And Plain Gelatin To Make A Beloved Boomer Candy

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Some treats seem to belong to another time, like candy cigarettes, red pistachios, and chocolate-covered jelly rings. These nostalgic snacks can be hard to find these days, but luckily, many retro recipes can be recreated at home. With just a few basic ingredients, you can make chocolate-covered jelly rings that taste even better than store-bought. 

Chocolate-covered jelly rings are sweet and soft, with a satisfying chewy texture and a bright fruity aftertaste. The history of jelly rings in America dates back to the 1960s, when the kosher brand Joyva began mass-producing these fruit-flavored candies. Joyva's Jell Rings became especially popular during Passover, when Jewish people abstain from chametz, or leaven, because the chocolate jelly rings contain no leavening agents. 

On Facebook, commenters reminisce about these nostalgic treats, saying, "I grew up with this. They were sold on the counter at every deli in town!" and "Growing up when I was a kid, they were two cents each." Jell Ring lovers say you can still find these retro candies in the kosher section of grocery stores or at local Jewish delis, and they can also be bought online from Amazon, too, as can other brands of chocolate jelly ring treats. But you can also make them at home with nothing but gelatin packets, a pack of fruit-flavored Jell-O, sugar, and dark chocolate.

Start by picking the jelly ring flavor. Raspberry is a classic choice, and you can boost the fruity flavor by adding raspberry extract to raspberry-flavored Jell-O. Mix together the Jell-O with half a cup of white sugar, then add in the gelatin mixture. 

Pour this into mini silicone donut or ring molds, like this Chefmade one from Amazon. Let it harden in the fridge for several hours or overnight, then melt the dark chocolate. Carefully dip the jelly rings into the melted chocolate and let it harden. You can also drizzle extra chocolate on top for a pretty design once the first layer has solidified a little. And there you have deliciously nostalgic chocolate-covered jelly rings.

It's also easy to modify this base recipe to suit your tastes. Use orange-flavored Jell-O and orange extract, or dip your jelly rings in a mix of white and dark chocolate. Watch this classic chocolate-covered jelly ring recipe being prepared below by Bianca from Brooklyn on TikTok: