Grandma Few's tried and true family recipe for Old-fashioned Gumdrop Cookies! Loaded with gumdrops, coconut and oatmeal they are sweet, delicious and a nostalgic cookie that everyone loves!
Next time try this recipe for Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies!
Jump to:
💭 Recipe backstory
I know we've all agreed by now that family recipes are the best right?
Especially when it comes to baking!
I'm very excited today because I wanted to share another super delicious family recipe with you for gumdrop cookies!
This is Dan's Grandma Bertha's recipe and I'm so happy to share it with you! I've shared several of her recipes in the past like her Butter Cookies Recipe, Persimmon Cookies and Banana Bread Recipe. YUM!!!
If you're looking for Christmas Cookies these are perfect! They are fun and festive for the holiday season!
🗒️ Ingredients
- gumdrops - sweet sugar-coated gumdrops are perfect, the old fashioned kind!
- brown sugar and white sugar - brown sugar adds caramel molasses flavor and sweetness from the white sugar.
- butter - unsalted butter will ensure the cookies aren't over salted.
- eggs - will add richness and flavor.
- flour - all-purpose flour is the best choice for these cookies.
- oatmeal - use old-fashioned oats, not quick-cooking oats. It will change the texture of the cookies and they may turn out dry.
- coconut - unsweetened shredded coconut, though you could also substitute with flaked.
- sea salt - table salt will make these cookies over-salted.
- baking soda and baking powder - for leavening.
- vanilla extract - for flavoring.
I love that they are loaded with oatmeal, coconut and gumdrops! These cookies are soft, chewy and delicious!
🔪 Instructions
The steps to make these old-fashioned gumdrop cookies are super simple.
- Preheat the oven.
- Measure the dry ingredients and sift.
- Cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs until creamy.
- Add the dry ingredients in three batches.
- Stir in the oatmeal, coconut and gumdrops.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto a prepared cookie sheet.
Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
- Pyrex 4-Piece Glass Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons - I love the shape of these because they fit into spice jars
🙋♀️ FAQ's
I used the classic sugar-coated gumdrops, so yummy! You can also use gummy bears. Gummy worms would be super fun for Halloween, really you can use your favorite candy!
Drop cookies onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper using spoons or an ice cream scoop. I've made these cookies both ways and preferred using spoons. Yes, the cookies are not perfectly round, but it was easier to control the size.
No, there's no need to chop the candies, but certainly, you can if you want there to be little bits candy in every bite!
👍 Tips
Although you can chop up the candy, I did not. I really liked chomping on big chunks of gumdrops! These cookies are super chewy and delicious!
Every bite should have a nibble of candy, right? Cut gumdrops into smaller pieces if desired. I will dice about a third of them. These are loaded with candy!
There are many types of flavored gumdrops, spice drops, gummy bears, etc. All of these will work great in these cookies!
Although Grandma's recipe didn't call for it, I studded the tops of the cookies with gumdrops.
Storage
Store cookies on the countertop in an airtight container.
You can freeze these cookies also! Double-wrap the cookies and freeze up to three months.
Gumdrop recipes
Do you love gum drops? Here are a few more recipes and ideas you may enjoy!
- How about making your own gumdrops? They only take a handful of ingredients to make and I know they will be a great treat!
- Gumdrop Fudge - this fudge looks like stained glass and would be perfect for the holidays!
- Gumdrop Ornaments - who wouldn't love one of these, this would be a great teacher's gift!
- Gumdrop Cake - so pretty and festive, sweet and delicious too!
- And of course, gumdrops make the perfect decoration when you make a Gingerbread House!
Related recipes
Still have a sweet tooth? I don't blame you! 😋 Here are some of my favorite recipes from the blog - all family recipes that are tested and approved!
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Recipe - soft and chewy on the inside with crispy edges, I dare you to eat just one!
- Frosted Butterscotch Cookies - these are out of this world and topped with homemade brown butter frosting.
- Dazzling Shortbread Cookies - drizzled with white chocolate and dunked in confetti sprinkles, these are great with coffee or tea!
- Old Fashioned Brown Sugar Cookie Recipe - each cookie is stuffed with jam and baked until golden brown. These cookies are soft and chewy!
Gumdrop Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups oatmeal
- 1 cup coconut shredded
- 1 cup gum drops plus more to top the cookies with if desired!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda, set aside.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter, eggs, white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.
- Using a mixer, slowly incorporate the flour mixture in a couple of batches into the creamed mixture until completely mixed.
- Stir in the coconut, oatmeal and gumdrops.
- Drop dough onto ungreased cookie sheet.
- Optional: Dot the top of the cookie dough with additional gumdrop pieces before baking.
- Remove from oven, allow to rest on baking sheet for five minutes before removing and placing on wire rack.
