Blood Orange + Mandarin Pumpkin Jellies

Halloween snacks don’t need to be all about sugar and lollies — sometimes the simplest ideas make the biggest (and healthiest) impact! These Blood Orange + Mandarin Pumpkin Jellies are naturally sweet, full of vitamin C, and are the perfect spooky addition for a simple lunch box surprise.

They’re made with real fruit juice, a touch of natural sweetness, and set in cute pumpkin moulds (we used the $3 ones from Woolworths!). A perfect make-ahead treat for the lunchbox or after school.

You’ll need:

• 4–5 blood oranges or mandarins

• 1 tablespoon gelatin powder

• 1 teaspoon white sugar

• 1 teaspoon marmalade (optional, no rind pieces — but adds great flavour!)

• 2 silicone pumpkin mould trays

Method:

1. Juice your citrus into a microwave-safe jug with a strainer to catch any pulp. You’ll need about 175ml of juice (roughly four large mandarins or four blood oranges).

2. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of gelatin with 2 tablespoons of the juice and leave to bloom while you heat the rest.

3. Add sugar and marmalade to the remaining juice and microwave for 1–2 minutes, or until hot.

4. Stir in the bloomed gelatin, mixing well to make sure there are no lumps.

5. Carefully pour the mixture into your pumpkin moulds, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.

6. Once firm, pop the jellies out of the moulds and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.