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!
Gumdrop Cookie Recipe
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!
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!!!
Grocery list for Gumdrop Cookies
- 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!
Oatmeal Gumdrop Cookie Recipe
Grandma loved her sweets and I’m so happy to preserve and share her recipes!
What kind of gumdrops can you use?
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!
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!
For this recipe, I received a beautiful hand mixer from Hamilton Beach. I really like how throughly it mixed this thick dough. I highly recommend it!
What is a drop cookie?
Drop cookies are “dropped” onto the baking sheet 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.
Does the candy need to be chopped or diced?
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!
Although Grandma’s recipe didn’t call for it, I studded the tops of the cookies with gumdrops.
How to make Oatmeal Gumdrop Cookies Recipe
Steps to make Old-Fashioned Gumdrop Cookies
- 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
Ready to do some baking? Here are more of my favorite cookie recipes!
Love gumdrops?
More fun ideas and recipes using this treat!
Love those old-fashioned gumdrops? 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!
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- Pyrex 4-Piece Glass Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons – I love the shape of these because they fit into spice jars
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Gumdrop Cookies
Gumdrop Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups oatmeal
- 1 cup coconut shredded
- 1 cup gumdrops plus more to top the cookies with if desired!
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda, set aside.
- Cream together the butter, eggs, both sugars and vanilla.
- Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients in a couple of batches until completely mixed.
- Stir in the coconut, oatmeal and gumdrops.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.
- This is optional, but I add 2-3 additional gumdrops to the top of the cookies before baking.
- Remove from oven, allow to rest on baking sheet for five minutes before removing and placing on cooling rack.
ColleenB.-Tx. says
WOW, talk about a vintage cookie recipe. My mother always made these around Christmas time. It has been years since I’ve had a gumdrop cookie. Time for me to get in the swing of things and start making these myself; after all I will turn 70 this year so better late than never; Right.
Thanks for sharing this recipe and bringing back old fond memories.
Your mom’s hand written recipe; that I would have framed and put a little note along with. What a great keepsake to have.
ColleenB.-Tx. says
Back to school tip; Be yourself and treat others the way you would like to be treated and study hard to the best of your ability.
Bowl Me Over says
I love that Colleen! Talk about the BEST advice!
Bowl Me Over says
Isn’t it just wonderful? I think that’s a great idea, I have several, I’ll be sure to frame them as a keepsake. Thank you so much! Enjoy these cookies also! I just enjoyed one as an afternoon snack – delicious!!
Julie Menghini says
I can’t wait to add these cookies to my holiday baking! They’re one that I don’t see on a lot of trays that will definitely wow my guests!
Bowl Me Over says
I just love this recipe! The cookies are chewy and loaded with all the goodies – enjoy Julie!
Jennifer A Stewart says
I love these! They are just like picking the gum drops off my grandma’s tree!
Vonnie says
There are no eggs listed in the list of ingredients
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Vonnie, how did I miss that! I updated the recipe. I really appreciate you letting me know.
MICHAELA KENKEL says
These remind me so much of the cookies that my grandma made when I was growing up. I am so glad that I found your recipe! Thank you!!
Bowl Me Over says
Love the memories, enjoy Michaela!
Nikki says
So pretty for Christmas. We loved adding them to our cookie tray this year!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful – I’m so glad you enjoyed these cookies!
jennifer stewart says
I didn’t think it was possible to make gum drops better but you have totally done it! I can’t stop eating these cookies!!
Amy says
I had never heard of gumdrop cookies before but had some leftover from making gingerbread houses and this was the funnest idea! They were so tasty!
Bowl Me Over says
Chewy and delicious – thank you!