Description
Easy Layered Christmas Jello with beautiful red, white, and green layers perfect for holiday celebrations. Make-ahead dessert that serves a crowd and looks stunning on any table!
Ingredients
2 boxes (3 oz each) cherry or strawberry jello
2 boxes (3 oz each) lime jello
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
8 cups water (4 cups boiling, 4 cups cold) divided
Additional 2 cups water for cream layers (1 cup boiling, 1 cup cold)
Cooking spray (optional, for unmolding)
Whipped cream for serving (optional)
Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray if planning to unmold, or skip for serving from pan.
2. Prepare red layer: Mix 2 boxes cherry jello with 2 cups boiling water, whisk 2 minutes until dissolved.
3. Add 2 cups cold water to cherry mixture, stir well, and pour into prepared pan.
4. Refrigerate uncovered 30-45 minutes until set but slightly tacky to touch.
5. Prepare first cream layer: Sprinkle 1 envelope unflavored gelatin over 1 cup cold water, let bloom 5 minutes.
6. Add 1 cup boiling water to bloomed gelatin, whisk until dissolved, then add 7 oz sweetened condensed milk.
7. Let cream mixture cool to room temperature (10-15 minutes).
8. Gently pour cooled cream mixture over set red layer, pouring slowly over back of spoon.
9. Refrigerate 30-45 minutes until set but tacky.
10. Prepare green layer: Mix 2 boxes lime jello with 2 cups boiling water, whisk until dissolved, add 2 cups cold water.
11. Cool green mixture to room temperature, then pour gently over set cream layer.
12. Refrigerate 30-45 minutes until set but tacky.
13. Prepare second cream layer with remaining gelatin envelope, 1 cup cold water, 1 cup boiling water, and remaining condensed milk.
14. Cool and pour over green layer, refrigerate 30-45 minutes.
15. Optional final red layer: Mix 1 box cherry jello with 1 cup boiling water and 1 cup cold water, cool and pour over final cream layer.
16. Refrigerate entire dessert at least 4 hours or overnight until completely firm.
17. Cut into squares with hot knife, serve with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
Always let each layer set until tacky before adding the next to prevent blurred colors.
Cool each new liquid layer to room temperature before pouring to avoid melting previous layers.
Pour slowly over the back of a spoon to prevent breaking through set layers.
Make 1-2 days ahead for best results and easiest cutting.
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Do not freeze, jello becomes grainy and watery when thawed.
For cleaner cuts, dip knife in hot water and wipe clean between slices.
Sugar-free jello works perfectly but may set slightly softer.
Can omit cream layers for dairy-free version, just alternate colored layers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake/Refrigerated
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approximately 3x3 inches)
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: christmas jello, layered jello, holiday dessert, red and green jello, christmas dessert, make ahead dessert, party jello