Expanding your product offerings is a powerful strategy to keep customers engaged and excited about your gummy brand. By introducing new options, you not only meet the evolving needs of your existing customers but also attract new ones who are eager to explore what’s fresh and unique. With each new and exciting product you offer, you create more reasons for customers to keep coming back—and to spread the word! That's why we've taken on the task of teaching you on how to make candy-coated ropes & clusters with Melt-to-Make™ Gummy Base.
These colorful, crunchy, chewy bites bring together the best of both worlds—a delicious blend of Melt-to-Make™ gummy goodness wrapped in tangy, nostalgic candy coating. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in and learn how to make these irresistible treats! 🍬
Step 1: Preparation
Before we get started, let’s make sure we have everything we need! You’ll want to order a few essentials, including gummy molds, Melt-to-Make™ all-natural Gummy Base, and of course, plenty of your candy coating of choice. If you already have molds, they should work just fine! But if you’re looking for a different shape or size, we highly recommend checking out Bold Maker's selection. For our own creations, we chose rope molds and gumdrop molds. Check out the links below to see the specific molds we selected!
Next, we’ll need to order some candy for coating! We’ve found that Baby Nerds work best, and you can easily find them on the Webstaurant Store website. It's always good to shop around for the best price, but we've found that Webstaurant store seems to have the best deal.
If you're interested in trying a sample, fill out our Sample Kit Request form! If you're ready to jump right in, you can email your order to orders@melt-to-make.com, or order right from our website.
Check out the all-natural Gummy Bases we have to offer!
- Sugar-Free Pectin Gummy Bases
While this process works seamlessly with all Melt-to-Make™ Gummy Bases, we found that our Gelatin/Pectin Blend delivers the ideal texture. Its perfectly balanced soft chew pairs beautifully with the satisfying crunch of the candy coating, creating an irresistible combination.
Step 2: Let's do this thing!
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients and materials, it’s time to dive in! Prepare your Melt-to-Make™ Gummy Base and deposit the mixture. When using Melt-to-Make™ Gummy Bases we highly suggest having our work instructions, formula calculators and gummy drying guide in front of you for easy reference. All of these helpful documents in the resources section of our website.
If you have a depositor, we suggest using it to make filling the molds easier and to ensure the gummies pop out smoothly once they’re set. Normally, we also suggest pre-coating molds with a release agent, but for this process, it’s best to skip that step. Pre-coating your molds with a release agent will actually prevent the candy coating from sticking to the gummies.
After you’ve poured your gummies into the molds, let them rest until they’re ready to be popped. You want your gummies to be sticky at this point, if they're not still sticky you'll like have a hard time getting the nerds to stick properly. We've found that coating the tops of your gummies with the candy coating while they're still in the molds can make the popping process easier. If your gummies aren’t quite sticky enough, you can lightly rub some water on the tops of your gummies as well.
Once your gummies are ready to pop, pour some of your candy coating into a bowl, and roll your gummies until they’re fully coated. Then scatter them on a tray, and cure them to the proper water activity. Make sure to follow our Drying Guide for best curing results.
For visual step-by-step instructions on how to make candy-coated ropes & clusters, watch our how to video below!
The Business Side of Things
When creating products that incorporate another company's trademarked product, it’s crucial to be mindful of your wording. For example, if you’re making an infused treat using Rice Krispies, remember that "Rice Krispies" is a trademarked name. As a result, you cannot legally market your product as a "Rice Krispie Treat." The same principle applies to other trademarked names like "Nerds", "Nerd Ropes", and "Nerd Clusters". Instead, it's best to use descriptive terms that avoid directly referencing the trademark, such as "Crispy Crunch" or "Candy Clusters." This ensures your branding remains compliant with trademark laws.
By carefully choosing your wording and avoiding the use of trademarked names, you can protect your business from potential legal issues while still creating and marketing unique products that appeal to your customers. Always prioritize compliance and creativity to ensure your brand remains both innovative and professional.
** Please note that this content is for educational purposes only. Melt-to-Make™ is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Ferrara Candy Company or Nerds®.
