Looking for a Halloween treat that’s easy on your teeth?
Today’s recipes for Black-Cherry Bats and Citrus-Orange Pumpkins won’t screw up braces, fillings or crowns. The key ingredients are natural flavored gelatin (right) and fresh fruit juice.
Each recipe makes 2 dozen treats, and all of the ingredients should be available at a well-stocked natural and organic food store.
These recipes have been adapted from The Braces Cookbook by Pamela Waterman.
Black-Cherry Bats
2 packages (3 ounces each) natural black-cherry gelatin (dry)
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup grape juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- Empty both packages of dry gelatin powder into a large bowl.
- In medium saucepan, stir together water and grape juice. Bring to a full boil, and then remove pan from heat.
- Slowly pour hot juice mixture into the bowl, stirring constantly with a large spoon. Keep stirring for 2 minutes, or until all gelatin granules have dissolved.
- Add lemon juice, and stir to mix.
- Pour mixture into a 9-inch round or square pan, and place pan in refrigerator. Chill for at least 3 hours or until firm.
- Cut into squares with a knife or into bat shapes with cookie cutters dipped in hot water. If pieces are hard to remove, set the entire pan for 1 minute onto a cookie sheet filled with a quarter-inch of hot water.
- Keep treats chilled.
Citrus-Orange Pumpkins
2 packages (3 ounces each) natural orange gelatin (dry)
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice (no pulp) or lemonade
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- Follow the directions for Black-Cherry Bats, substituting the ingredients listed above.
- Cut into squares, or use pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters, as desired.
Photos: American Association of Orthodontists, Natural Desserts
Tags: candy, dental care, gelatin, halloween, holidays, Organic Food, recipes
