Save to Pinterest The first time I made these rainbow pinwheels was for my nieces 7th birthday party. I spent thirty minutes arranging gummy bears in perfect ROYGBIV order until my sister walked in and asked if I was conducting a science experiment or making snacks. The kids didnt care about color order they just went wild for the pinwheels.
Last summer I brought a platter of these to our neighborhood block party and they vanished faster than the homemade cookies. My neighbor asked for the recipe looking completely serious until I showed her the three ingredient list and we both started laughing.
Ingredients
- 4 fruit-flavored roll-ups: Choose assorted colors because the visual appeal is half the fun here. I've learned that slightly warmer roll-ups are more pliable and less likely to tear.
- 1 cup assorted gummy candies: Mix bears worms and fruit shapes for texture variety. Haribo work great but Ive found that softer gummy rolls roll up easier than stiff bears.
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit roll-ups:
- Unroll each one carefully on a clean surface or parchment paper. If they're sticking to the wrapper pop them in the microwave for just 3 seconds.
- Layer the gummy filling:
- Arrange your gummy candies along one long edge of each roll-up. Dont overstuff or they'll burst when you try to roll them up.
- Roll into pinwheels:
- Start rolling from the edge with the gummies pressing gently as you go. The fruit leather is surprisingly stretchy so work with confidence not hesitation.
- Slice into spirals:
- Use a sharp knife to cut each roll into 1-inch pinwheels. A gentle sawing motion works better than pressing down hard.
- Serve or store:
- These taste best immediately but can refrigerate for a day. They get firmer and slightly chewier which some people actually prefer.
Save to Pinterest These became my go-to contribution for my daughters class parties because they're nut-free and gluten-free. The teacher still asks about them even though my daughter is in middle school now.
Flavor Combinations That Work
Ive tried mixing sour patch kids with strawberry roll-ups for a sweet-tangy version that adults gravitate toward. The contrast between sour candy and sweet fruit leather makes these feel more sophisticated somehow.
Making Ahead
You can prepare these the night before but expect them to get stickier. Layer them between parchment paper in an airtight container so they dont fuse into one giant candy blob.
Serving Suggestions
These work beautifully displayed on a white platter where the colors really pop. I like to arrange them by color gradient which takes an extra minute but looks so impressive.
- Try mini chocolate chips as a filling for a dessert version
- Sprinkle with edible glitter for extra sparkle
- Set up a DIY station and let kids make their own
Save to Pinterest These might just be candy rolled in more candy but sometimes joy is simple. Watch people light up when they spot them at a party.
Questions & Answers
- → How do I keep the roll-ups from unrolling?
Press gently when rolling to secure gummies inside. Refrigerating before slicing also helps maintain shape.
- → Can I use other candies besides gummies?
Yes, small chewy or soft candies work well if they can be rolled and won’t melt or stick excessively.
- → What’s the best way to slice the roll-ups?
Use a sharp knife to cut into 1-inch pinwheels for neat, uniform pieces.
- → How long can these be stored?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one day for optimal freshness and texture.
- → Can I mix different fruit roll-up flavors?
Mixing flavors adds variety and color, enhancing the visual appeal and taste experience.