Jelly Beans, Not Just for Easter

Of course, jelly beans are indeed perfect for stuffing into plastic egg shells for the Easter Egg hunt, but who said we have to wait until Easter to enjoy them?

Just after Easter this year the folks at Gimbal’s sent me a sample of their new sour jelly beans to try, and let me say – wow! These are not like the jelly beans I remember from my childhood – they explode with flavor. And with sour flavors of apple, blueberry, grape, lime, pomegranate, and more, it’s like a fruit flavor explosion in your mouth.

What’s not them? No gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, soy, or gelatin.

What’s in them? Sugar, corn syrup (they are almost purely sugar), apple juice concentrate, and food colorings and flavors, among other things. They are clearly not for those who need to avoid corn, sugar, or food colorings. For everyone else, these are a great way to spruce up your desserts, and suitable for many with food allergies.

Here are a couple of ideas of how to use jelly beans in the “off season”:

• Top an ice cream sundae with a few jelly beans instead of a cherry.
• Decorate cupcakes with jelly beans.
• Send them to school or camp as a snack.
• Use a few to decorate your 4th of July watermelon salad.

What other ideas do you have for jelly beans?