A process is provided for preparing soft, gummy candies that retain their physical shapes well and have a pleasant bite and chew when employed in ice cream. The process entails preparing a first premix of sucrose, glycerin, corn syrup and water and blending it with a hydrated gelatin/pectin solution. The resulting combined solution is then cooked at elevated temperature and pressure to form a candy melt. The resulting candy melt is reduced in moisture content and mixed with color, flavor and acid prior to forming the candy melt into discrete, soft candy pieces, e.g., by depositing in starch moulds. The candies are mixed with ice cream to form a soft candy and ice cream confection.