How to Make Bubble Gum

All kids and most adults love a mouthful of deliciously sweet pink bubblegum. Wouldn't it be fun if you could make your own custom bubble gum? This would be an entertaining project for you to do with your child on a rainy afternoon. Just be prepared to try your hand at blowing a few bubbles when you finish. Bubble gum making is sure to bring out the kid in you! Here's how to make bubble gum:

Supplies needed:

1/3 cup gum base (can be purchased at some craft stores or online)

2 ½ tablespoons of corn syrup (available at your local grocery store)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon glycerin

½ teaspoon citric acid (available in the canning section of your supermarket as Fruit Fresh)

6 drops of flavoring

A microwave safe dish

A clean, flat sheet to use as a work surface

How to make bubble gum:

Prepare your gum base.

Place your gum base into the microwave safe bowl you designated for making bubble gum. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for sixty seconds. Remove your bowl from the microwave and stir the gum base thoroughly. It should be completely melted. If not, place it back in the microwave for another twenty seconds. This process should be repeated until your gum base has a soft, sticky consistency.

Prepare your powdered sugar.

Pour about half of your powdered sugar onto the flat sheet you've designated as your work surface. Use your hands to create a well in the middle of the powdered sugar.

Flavor your gum base.

Add six drops of your chosen flavoring to the gum base after removing it from the microwave. Stir the mixture thoroughly.

Pour your gum base.

Carefully pour the flavored gum base into the well you created with the powdered sugar. Using your fingers knead the powdered sugar slowly into the gum base. Continue to incorporate more powdered sugar into the gum base as you knead the dough. Continue this process until you've added all of the sugar to the dough and the dough feels stiff. This process may take anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes. Bubble gum making can give your hands a real workout! The longer you knead the gum base, the higher quality your final bubble will be.

Cut your bubble gum.

Roll your final bubble gum dough into the shape of a long snake. Using clean scissors, carefully cut the snack into individual bubble gum pieces. Use the remainder of your powdered sugar to lightly dust each piece before wrapping it for storage.

It's fun to experiment by adding a variety of different flavorings to your homemade bubble gum. Won't your family be surprised when you announce you made it yourself?