Here’s a tip for decreasing sugar and artificial flavorings in your kids’ treats (if you care about such things): Adding natural fruit juice to plain gelatin takes about the same amount of time as adding plain water to pre-flavored gelatin dessert powders, which are typically artificially flavored and highly sweetened. Plain gelatin can usually be found in the supermarket next to the flavored stuff; Knox is a popular brand, but I’m sure there are others. If you use a juice that is naturally quite sweet, like orange, you probably don’t need any additional sugar at all. For tart, plain cranberry juice or the like, you may want to add some–but you can control how much.
Even if you’re less than adept in the kitchen, you can do many fun things with gelatin and a little imagination. Put it into ice cube trays for convenient blocks, or pour it into a large rectangular pan and cut it out with cookie cutters once it cools. (Avoid molding it into Bundt pans with cans of fruit cocktail, or you’ll just come across as way too 1960’s-housewifey.)
