What Are the Ingredients in Brach's Jelly Hearts: A Sweet Breakdown

November 22, 2025 •

4 min read

Since Brach's was founded in 1904, their seasonal candies have been a holiday staple for many. For those curious, the core ingredients in Brach's Jelly Hearts primarily consist of corn syrup, sugar, modified food starch, and artificial flavoring.

Quick Summary

Brach's Jelly Hearts are made with a core recipe of corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch for chewiness, artificial flavors, and Red 40 coloring.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The primary ingredients are corn syrup, sugar, modified food starch, cornstarch, artificial flavor, and Red 40.
Texture from Starch: The soft, chewy texture comes from modified corn starch, which acts as a thickening agent and texturizer.
Flavor is Artificial: The cinnamon and cherry flavors are derived from artificial flavoring rather than natural sources.
Color from Red 40: The signature red color is provided by the synthetic food dye Red 40.
Glazing Agents in Some Variants: The Jube Jel Cherry Hearts contain additional glazing ingredients like carnauba wax and white mineral oil for a shiny finish.
Free of Fat and Protein: The candy is fat-free and contains no protein, with all calories coming from carbohydrates and sugar.
Allergen Info: Brach's states that Jelly Hearts are produced in a facility that may also process common allergens such as milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, and soy.

Brach's Jelly Hearts are a classic treat, particularly popular around Valentine's Day. While the simple, chewy candy seems straightforward, a look at the ingredient list reveals the specific components that give them their signature texture, flavor, and color. Understanding the role of each ingredient sheds light on how this confection is made.

The Core Ingredient List

At their base, Brach's Jelly Hearts, in their common cinnamon and cherry varieties, share a similar foundation of ingredients. These are the building blocks that create the candy's texture and sweet flavor before any specific flavorings are added.

Typical ingredients include:

Corn Syrup
Sugar
Modified Food Starch (Corn)
Cornstarch
Artificial Flavor
Red 40

The Sweet Foundation: Corn Syrup and Sugar

The primary sweeteners in Jelly Hearts are corn syrup and sugar, which work together to create the confection's sweet profile. Sugar provides the sweetness, while corn syrup serves a dual purpose. As a liquid sugar, it controls crystallization, preventing the candy from becoming grainy, and contributes to the chewy texture. This combination is a staple in many mass-produced candies for its consistency and cost-effectiveness.

The Chewy Texture: Modified Corn Starch

The soft and chewy consistency that is characteristic of Jelly Hearts comes from modified corn starch and cornstarch. Modified food starch is a crucial component that functions as a thickening agent and texturizer. It is derived from corn starch that has been treated to improve its functional properties, such as stability under high heat or in acidic environments. This modification ensures the candy maintains its structure and doesn't become sticky or runny during manufacturing and storage. Cornstarch also aids in achieving the desired chewiness and is sometimes used as a dusting to prevent the candies from sticking together.

Flavor and Color: Artificial Additives

The distinctive taste and visual appeal of Jelly Hearts come from artificial flavor and coloring. The Cinnamon Jelly Hearts get their spicy kick from artificial cinnamon flavoring, while the Jube Jel Cherry Hearts feature an artificial cherry flavor. Both varieties are colored using Red 40, a synthetic food dye derived from petroleum. While approved by the FDA, Red 40 has been a subject of scrutiny and is one of the more common food additives linked to potential behavioral issues in some children.

The Finishing Touches: Waxes and Other Additives

For certain variants, such as the Jube Jel Cherry Hearts, additional ingredients are used to provide a glossy finish and prevent sticking. These include:

Carnauba Wax: A natural, plant-based wax from the carnauba palm tree in Brazil, carnauba wax is used as a glazing agent to give the candies a shiny appearance and create a protective coating.
White Mineral Oil: Added in trivial amounts, white mineral oil also contributes to the glossy, non-stick finish.
Citric Acid and Sodium Citrate: These provide a touch of tartness to the cherry flavor and act as a buffering agent to maintain the correct pH, which is important for the candy's texture and stability.

Comparison of Jelly Heart Ingredients


Feature	Brach's Cinnamon Jelly Hearts	Brach's Jube Jel Cherry Hearts
Flavoring	Artificial Cinnamon Flavor	Artificial Cherry Flavor
Sweeteners	Corn Syrup, Sugar	Corn Syrup, Sugar
Texture Agents	Modified Food Starch (Corn), Cornstarch	Modified Corn Starch, Water, Cornstarch
Color	Red 40	Red 40
Glazing	No Glazing Agents Listed	Carnauba Wax, White Mineral Oil
Other Additives	None Listed	Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid

How Do Brach's Jelly Hearts Compare to Regular Jelly Beans?

Brach's Jelly Hearts have a relatively simple ingredient list compared to many of Brach's other jelly bean products. For example, Brach's Classic Jelly Beans often contain additional ingredients like confectioner's glaze (shellac), gum arabic, and different combinations of artificial colors. The Jelly Hearts' texture is typically softer and less gelatinous than a classic jelly bean, which can be attributed to the specific formulation of cornstarch and modified food starch, rather than the addition of other gelling agents. The inclusion of carnauba wax and mineral oil in the cherry hearts provides a glossier, firmer finish than the ungrazed cinnamon hearts, but it is still simpler than the multi-colored glazing process of traditional jelly beans.

Conclusion

Brach's Jelly Hearts are a testament to how simple ingredients can create a beloved candy. The core recipe of corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, and artificial color and flavor delivers the nostalgic, chewy confection that many enjoy. While the ingredient list is quite straightforward, minor variations exist between flavors like cinnamon and cherry, with the latter containing additional glazing agents for an extra shine. Ultimately, the sweet simplicity of what are the ingredients in Brach's Jelly Hearts is what makes them a perennial favorite. For more information on Brach's products, visit their official website at Brach's Official Website.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the ingredient list, the primary components do not contain gluten. However, Brach's advises checking the specific package for allergen information, as manufacturing facilities may process products with wheat.

Modified food starch can come from various plant sources, but in Brach's Jelly Hearts, it is specifically from corn. It is treated to improve its thickening and stabilizing properties.

Carnauba wax is used as a glazing agent to give the candy a shiny, attractive finish. For certain variants like the Jube Jel Cherry Hearts, it provides a smooth, protective coating.

Red 40 is a synthetic food dye that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, some studies have suggested a link between synthetic dyes and hyperactivity in sensitive individuals, especially children, so some people choose to avoid it.

The core ingredients for some flavors, like the Cinnamon Jelly Hearts, appear vegan as they contain no animal products. However, some varieties might have a carnauba wax glaze, which is plant-based, and it's always best to check the label for any cross-contamination warnings from the manufacturer.

The primary difference lies in the specific artificial flavoring used. Additionally, the Jube Jel Cherry Hearts often include glazing agents like carnauba wax and white mineral oil, along with citric acid and sodium citrate, which are not typically found in the Cinnamon flavor.

Cornstarch works with modified food starch to help create the desired chewy texture. It is also often used as a light dusting on the finished candy to prevent the pieces from sticking together.