I'm not a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a cynical love-hater, I just don't like how commercial the 14th of February has become. The price of a box of chocolates skyrockets and you practically have to mortgage your house to buy a dozen roses and for what? I think it's much more important to show your love in other ways and on days that you weren't told to do so by Westfield and your local florist.
Having said all that, I'm not totally against the idea of making it a special day, just against the idea of spending money on things that you wouldn't normally spend money on (I'm super stingy like that). My heart shaped jellies fit my simple savings bill perfectly. If you're not a Jelly snob, you can buy the ingredients for a little over $1. They take about 20 minutes to make (plus setting time) and are super cute. What more could you want in a Valentine's recipe?
I think my jellies totaled about 74c. I can't remember how much the gelatine cost me but if you don't want to buy it or can't find it I have an alternative.
This is what gelatine powder looks like. It comes in 10g sachets. You can use fancy gelatine leaf but it's very expensive and not readily available (well you can't buy it at Woolies).
Pour the contents of the Jelly boxes and one sachet of gelatine (10g) into a large heat-proof bowl or jug.
Add 3 cups of boiling water and stir it until all the crystals have dissolved.
When the crystals have all dissolved, carefully pour the mixture into a wide dish or baking tin. You don't want it to be too deep. Refrigerate the jelly until it is set (about 3 hours). Reducing the water quantity and adding gelatine speeds up the setting process and makes the finished product a lot firmer than regular jelly.
When the jelly is set, use cookie or fondant cutters to cut heart shapes and place on a tray. My very little ones didn't stand up too well in my hot kitchen so I would advise against making really small shapes.
Refrigerate the jellies until it's serving time. Enjoy!
Recipe
Ingredients
- Heart shaped jellies
- 2 boxes of raspberry jelly or strawberry if you prefer
- 10 g 0.3oz gelatine powder
- 3 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Place the boiling water, jelly mixes and gelatine in a heat-proof bowl and stir until the crystals are dissolved.
- Pour the mixture into a wide dish and refrigerate until set (about 3 hours).
- Cut shapes out of the jelly using a cookie cutter or fondant icing cutter.
Enjoy!
I have to thank the lovely Mrs Joyce, the original creator of this jelly technique. When we were little we all used to go mad for Mrs Joyce's jellies!
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Wendy says
They look very familiar! Well done for using them for Valentines Day. Wendy x
Claire says
I gave credit where credit is due! These really were the biggest hit when we were little. Thanks Wendy! x
Celia says
Sooo cute, Claire! Pete's mum's secret red jelly recipe was to combine a packet of raspberry or strawberry with a packet of portwine jelly crystals. Will you serve your hearts with vanilla icecream?
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
That looks very simple but very lovely too! :D