Start by greasing your candy molds lightly with a non-stick spray or a tiny bit of vegetable oil. This ensures your Swedish Fish pop out easily once they’re set. If you don’t have fish-shaped molds, you can use silicone molds of any shape—heart, star, or even gummy bear molds work great!

In a small bowl, sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over 1/4 cup of water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to "bloom"—this allows the gelatin to absorb the water and dissolve evenly, giving you that perfect chewy texture.

In a saucepan, combine the fruit juice, sugar, and corn syrup. Heat it over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved. Bring it to a gentle simmer, but don’t let it boil. Once simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat.

Add the bloomed gelatin mixture into the hot juice mixture, stirring until the gelatin has fully dissolved. This is where the magic happens! The gelatin will thicken and create that candy-like consistency.

This is where you can get creative! Add a few drops of food coloring to achieve the color you want. For classic red Swedish Fish, a few drops of red food coloring will do the trick. Stir well to ensure the color is evenly mixed. If you’d like to experiment with different flavors or colors, feel free to adjust the juice or coloring as desired.

Carefully pour the gelatin mixture into your prepared molds. You can use a spoon or a small measuring cup to avoid spilling. Fill each mold completely, then tap the mold gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.

Place the filled molds in the refrigerator and allow them to chill for at least 2-3 hours, or until the Swedish Fish are firm and fully set. If you’re in a hurry, you can place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to speed up the process.

Once set, gently press the back of each mold to release the Swedish Fish. If you used silicone molds, they should come out easily. If you're using a harder mold, just carefully twist or tap to loosen the candy.