My parents got creative in the kitchen after they retired. One of the things they made was easy candy strawberries. My kids and I loved them! Later on, we made them in our own kitchen…and we STILL loved them! Making easy candy strawberries (dairy free) is a great family activity. I hope your family enjoys it as much as my family does.
What is Strawberry Candy Made of?
There are several different versions of strawberry candies, but this recipe calls for:
- Cream Cheese (Dairy Free)
- Coconut, sweetened and flaked
- Pecan, finely chopped
- Strawberry Gelatin
- Red Sugar Crystals (you can buy it here, or make your own)
- Green Sugar Crystals
- Almond Slivers (optional)
- Green Food Coloring
You can use regular cream cheese in place of the dairy free cream cheese, if you prefer.
Are the Strawberry Candies Vegan?
The gelatin used in this recipe is not vegan, but all of the other ingredients in this recipe are vegan (as long as you use vegan cream cheese). If the cream cheese is vegan, and you substitute agaragar for the gelatin, then your candies will be vegan.
Are the Strawberry Candies Gluten-Free?
All of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten free, so the finished candies will also be gluten free.
What are Candy Strawberries?
There are a number of different candies that can be called candy strawberries. Some of them are:
- This recipe, that calls for cream cheese, coconut, pecans, strawberry gelatin, red and green sugar.
- Another recipe that calls for sweetened condensed milk, coconut, pecans, strawberry gelatin, red and green sugar.
- Hard candies that are filled with strawberry flavor. These are usually individually wrapped and called strawberry bon-bons.
- Marshmallow strawberries that have a red sugar coating.
- Gummy strawberries that almost look like real strawberries, and have a juicy strawberry flavor.
Why is Strawberry a Popular Flavor for Candy and Scents?
Strawberries are sweet, with a little tartness, and they have that special flavor that is unique to strawberries. Most people love the sweetness and also that little bit of tartness. My mouth is watering, just thinking about that fresh strawberry flavor!
Can You Candy Strawberries?
Strawberries can be candied, as in like a candy apple, but using a strawberry instead.
How to Make Candy Dipped Strawberries?
The trick is to use Sugar Glass and dip the strawberries into the saucepan of candy syrup simmering over medium heat. Be sure to use a lollipop stick or toothpick for dipping the strawberries. I prefer to use a lollipop stick, because that keeps my hands further away from the hot candy.
The strawberries will be juicy inside the crunchy candied shell. The one thing to remember is that the strawberries will begin to shrink and get mushy within a few hours of coating them in the hard candy shell (unlike an apple). So, you really have to eat them the day you make them (isn’t that just so sad).
How to Make Candy Strawberries Easy?
Making candied strawberries is so easy! This isn’t the recipe, but if you’d like to jump there, just scroll down to the bottom of this post for the recipe and video tutorial. Here are the basic steps to follow to make these delicious candy strawberries:
- Bring the cream cheese to room temperature, and place into a medium size mixing bowl (paid link).
- Using a hand mixer (paid link), beat the cream cheese on medium speed until it is creamy.
- Gradually add the strawberry gelatin (paid link) and continue to beat on medium speed to incorporate into the cream cheese.
- Add the coconut flakes (paid link) and beat on medium speed until well mixed.
- Pour one cup pecans into the bowl and beat on medium speed.
- Spend a couple minutes stirring the mixture with a spoon to make sure all the ingredients are scraped from the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- When all the ingredients are mixed well, put the mixture into an airtight container, cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days. The mixture may keep longer than that, but that’s the longest I’ve kept it.
- Pour the red sugar crystals into a small bowl.
- Pour the green sugar crystals into a separate small bowl.
- Lay out a sheet of parchment paper (paid link) or a silicone baking mat (paid link) to put the finished candy strawberries on.
- If you want to make the strawberry stems from the slivers of almonds, put a few slivers into a zip lock baggie with a few drops of green food coloring. Shake the bag to coat all the almonds with the food coloring.
- Place the green almond slivers on a cookie sheet that is covered with parchment paper, and bake in a 250°F oven for about 10 minutes to dry.
- Remove the strawberry candy mixture you made yesterday (or the day before) from the refrigerator.
- Shape the strawberry candy mixture to look like real strawberries.
- Roll the candy strawberry in the red sugar crystals.
- Carefully place the stem end of the strawberry into the green sugar crystals to look like leaves.
- Stick one sliver of green almond in the stem end of each strawberry (optional).
- Lay the finished candy strawberries on the silicone baking mat or parchment paper, and let them sit for a few minutes.
- Any leftover candy strawberries will need to be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
Easy Candy Strawberries Recipe {Dairy Free}
Ingredients
- 1 8-ounce package Cream Cheese (vegan), softened
- 1 cup Sweetened Flaked Coconut
- 1 cup Pecan, finely chopped
- 2 3-ounce boxes Strawberry Gelatin
- 1 3.5-ounce jar Red Sugar Crystals
- 1 3.5-ounce jar Green Sugar Crystals
- 1/2 cup Slivered Almonds
- Green Food Coloring
Instructions
- Bring the cream cheese to room temperature, and place into a medium size mixing bowl.
- Using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until it is creamy.
- Gradually add the strawberry gelatin and continue to beat on medium speed to incorporate into the cream cheese.
- Add the coconut flakes and beat on medium speed until well mixed.
- Pour one cup pecans into the bowl and beat on medium speed.
- Spend a couple minutes stirring the mixture with a spoon to make sure all the ingredients are scraped from the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- When all the ingredients are well mixed, put the mixture into an airtight container, cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 3 days. The mixture may keep longer than that, but that's the longest I've kept it.
- Pour the red sugar crystals into a small bowl.
- Pour the green sugar crystals into a separate small bowl.
- Lay out a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to put the finished candy strawberries on.
- If you want to make the strawberry stems from the slivers of almonds into a zip lock baggie with a few drops of green food coloring. Shake the bag to coat all the almonds with the food coloring.
- Place the green almond slivers on a cookie sheet that is covered with parchment paper, and bake in a 250°F oven for about 10 minutes to dry.
- Remove the strawberry candy mixture you made yesterday (or the day before) from the refrigerator.
- Shape the strawberry candy mixture to look like real strawberries. I use a couple of plastic spoons to help getting the right shape.
- Roll the candy strawberry in the red sugar crystals.
- Carefully place the stem end of the strawberry into the green sugar crystals to look like leaves.
- Stick one sliver of green almond in the stem end of each strawberry (optional).
- Lay the finished candy strawberries on the silicone baking mat or parchment paper, and let the sit for a few minutes.
- Any leftover candy strawberries will need to be placed in an airtight container and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Enjoy!