Prepare Your Equipment: Begin by lining a tray with parchment paper or lightly coating candy molds with a thin dusting of cornstarch. This step ensures your candies won’t stick later. Set up a candy thermometer so you can keep track of the temperature accurately.

• Combine Sugar and Corn Syrup: In a saucepan, mix your granulated sugar, corn syrup, and a bit of water over medium heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves, and then stop stirring to let the mixture come to a boil. The sugar solution must reach the soft crack stage, roughly 270–290°F, so keep an eye on that thermometer.

Add Gelatin: While the sugar mix heats, bloom your gelatin (or chosen substitute like agar or pectin) in a separate small bowl of cool water. Once the sugar solution hits your target temperature, remove it from heat. Gently stir in the bloomed gelatin until everything is completely combined. This step creates the base for that signature gummy consistency.

• Flavor and Color: Mix in your chosen fruit extract (classic Swedish Fish are often associated with a gentle berry-like taste) to enhance the flavor of your Swedish treats. Add the food coloring if you want to capture that bold red hue, or choose another color if you prefer. This is also a good time to experiment with flavors like banana toffee, sour fruit, or even a mild cola twist if you crave variety.

Fill the Molds: Carefully pour the warm candy mix into your prepared molds. If you aim for a shape reminiscent of another Swedish candy or a bon bon, a delightful addition to any selection of Swedish treats., go for molds that match your preference. Let the candies rest in the molds at room temperature until they firm up, just like traditional Swedish treats.

• Cool and Set: After a couple of hours, the candies should solidify enough to pop out of their molds. If they remain too soft, you can refrigerate them briefly, though most recipes suggest a cooler room temperature sets them best.

Finishing Touches: Dust the finished candies with a light layer of cornstarch or powdered sugar if they seem sticky. This final detail can help maintain the glossy outside while keeping them from clumping together in storage.