Sweet, fruity gummy bears coated in milk chocolate are a delicious, gourmet treat that you can make quickly and easily in your own kitchen. Chocolate-covered gummy bears are made with simple ingredients and make a tasty treat for movie night or an afternoon pick-me-up.
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What are Chocolate Covered Gummy Bears?
Chewy gummy bears in a decadent chocolate shell are a delicious treat. Often sold in gourmet candy stores, these homemade gummy bears are simple to make and require only two ingredients: gummy bears and chocolate.
The combination of fruity gummy bears and creamy milk chocolate is similar to the flavours in chocolate-dipped fruit, such as chocolate-covered strawberries or cherries.
These are a fun snack for the whole family and make a great gift. Fill a small mason jar or pretty cellophane bag with a handful of bears and decorate it with a pretty ribbon. They would be a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or any other special occasion.
Enjoy these chocolate treats on their own, or try adding them to an ice cream sundae, or a homemade snack mix.
Ingredients
For a full list of ingredients and measurements, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Chocolate melting wafers – You will want a good quality chocolate melting wafer to coat the gummy bears. Melting wafers, or candy melts, melt easily and smoothly, creating a nice coating on anything you are dipping. You can use milk, white or dark chocolate. You will want approximately one and a half cups of chocolate to each one cup of bears, but it will depend on how large the bears are and how thick you want the chocolate shell.
Gummy Bears – You can use a mix of different flavors or just your favourites from the pack. Choose soft gummy bears, as they will be easier to bite after being coated with chocolate. You should be able to find a bag of gummy bears in almost any grocery store or candy shop, and many places sell them in bulk where you can scoop as many as you need.
Pro-Tip: If you like a salty-sweet combo to your candy, add a sprinkle of sea salt flakes to the bears before the chocolate is fully set.
Step by Step Instructions
Place the melting wafers in a microwave-safe bow. Heat for 20-second intervals, at half-power, stirring between intervals until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Place a gummy bear on the dipping tool and lower it into the melted chocolate.
Use the dipping tool to turn the gummy bear a few times, ensuring it is fully enrobed in chocolate. Then, lift it out of the chocolate. Tap the tool on the side of the bowl a couple of times to allow the excess chocolate to drip off the candy.
Place the chocolate covered gummy on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Repeat until the desired amount of gummy bears are coated in chocolate.
Allow the chocolate to set, then move the candy to an airtight container for storage.
Pro-Tip: If you want an extra thick layer of chocolate on your gummy bears, wait until the first coat is fully set, then dip them in the chocolate again. Allow the second coating of chocolate to set before moving them to a container for storage.
Heating Chocolate for Dipping
There are several methods you can use to melt chocolate depending on the equipment you have available and how much chocolate you need.
Double-boiler method – The double boiler method involves simmering a pot of water and placing a second pot, or heat-safe bowl, over the water-filled pot. The water should reach the bottom of the top pot or bowl.
Simmer the water over medium-low heat and place the chocolate in the top bowl. Stir the chocolate as it heats to help it melt smoothly and prevent the chocolate on the bottom from getting too hot. With this method, you must be careful not to let any water enter the bowl of chocolate. Water will cause the chocolate to seize and harden, making it unsuitable for dipping.
Remove the pot from the stove before dipping. However, keep the pot assembled as the warm water below the melted chocolate will help keep it warm giving you more time to work.
Microwave method – With the microwave method, place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat the chocolate on half-power for 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval until the chocolate is smooth. The length of time it takes to melt fully will depend on the wattage of your microwave, the type of chocolate, and how much you are melting.
It is important not to overheat the chocolate or it will burn and solidify, rather than melting smoothly. Less heat is better than more.
Instant pot method – One of my favourite ways to melt chocolate if I need a lot of it is using the instant pot. If your instant pot has a yogurt setting, melting chocolate is super easy, and it it a great way to keep it smooth and silky throughout the process.
Place the chocolate in the pot and turn it on to the yogurt setting. While the chocolate is heating, stir it several times to help it melt smoothly. Once it is fully melted and smooth, it is ready to use.
Because the pot will hold a consistent temperature, you do not have to worry about overheating or burning the chocolate. There is no worry about accidentally adding water to the chocolate, which causes it to seize and harden.
Substitutions & Variations
Chocolate melting wafers – If you don’t have melting wafers, you can use a good quality chocolate chip or chocolate bark instead. To get the chocolate to melt smoothly, you may need to add 1 or 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening or coconut oil.
Gummy Bears – If you want to experiment with different gummy fruit candies, there are endless treats you can try.
Almost any fruity gummy candies will taste great when coated with chocolate. Of course, the larger gummies will be easier and take less time to coat. We suggest trying the following:
- Gummy worms
- Wine gums
- Fruit snacks
- Licorice pieces
- Dots
Gummy Bear Bark
Do you want chocolate gummy bears but don’t have enough time to dip them individually?
Gummy bear bark is a great alternative and is super quick and easy to make.
Add the gummy bears to a large bowl and then pour the melted chocolate over the bears.
Stir to combine, then spread the mixture on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
Allow the chocolate to set then break it into chunks.
You can store gummy bear bark in the same way as individually coated bears.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Equipment
Round Chocolate Dipping Tool – You will need a tool to dip the bears and remove them from the chocolate. The best tool I’ve found is a round dipping tool shaped like a little basket. The candy fits inside nicely, so it doesn’t fall off, allowing the excess chocolate to drip off the gummy bear.
You could use a small fork instead if you don’t have a dipping tool.
Parchment paper – It is important to line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner otherwise, the chocolate will adhere to the baking sheet and you will have to pry them off.
Storage
Chocolate-covered gummy bears can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, and they should keep well for several months.
If you live in a warm climate and find the chocolate melts at room temperature, you can store them in the refrigerator. After chilling, the chocolate may sweat when it comes to room temperature, but it is still perfectly delicious and edible.
Top Tips & FAQS
Unless you live in a hot climate, chocolate-covered gummy bears will be fine at room temperature in an air-tight container.
Chocolate-covered gummy bears should keep for several months as long as they are stored in an air-tight container.
More Chocolate Covered Treats
Recipe
Chocolate Covered Gummy Bears
Equipment
- Double boiler optional
Ingredients
- 1 cup gummy bears
- 1 ½ cups chocolate melting wafers milk, dark or white
Instructions
- Place the melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl—heat for 20-second intervals, stirring between intervals until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Place a gummy bear on the dipping tool and lower it into the melted chocolate.
- Use the dipping tool to turn the gummy bear a few times, ensuring it is fully enrobed in chocolate. Then, lift it out of the chocolate.
- Tap the tool on the side of the bowl a couple of times to allow the excess chocolate to drip off the candy, then place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Repeat until the desired amount of gummy bears are coated in chocolate
- Allow the chocolate to be fully set, then move the candy to an airtight container for storage
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.