Layered jello, also called finger jello, is a colorful jello dessert layered with different colors. When you cut into it, you can see all the layers. It’s such a festive dessert and kids love it.
It’s a finger jello because it’s like the old fashioned Jell-o jigglers that you may have made when you were young. This layered jello recipe is special in a few ways: it’s made red and green for Christmas – and it’s a faster recipe than most, meaning you’ll have your layered jello cut in squares in no time!
If you love Christmas desserts like we do then you need to make our Christmas bundt cake. It’s layered colors on the INSIDE, and have red and green icing. It’s an amazing and super easy dessert.
Layered Jello
Christmas jello is a classic – maybe your grandmother made it. It used to take all day to make, but we’ve developed a way to make it SUPER quick!
By getting the jello made ahead of time and slightly cooled (using the freezer) each layer sets in 5 to 10 minutes, thus cutting your overall time.
Some people make rainbow jello and use multiple flavors of jello. The process is the same, just use less of the white layer in between because you’ll have more colors. The sky is the limit with this dessert. Kids favorite color? Just add white in between and serve for a birthday party. Valentine’s Day use red and white. You get the idea.
Layered Jello Ingredients
cherry jello – you can also use strawberry jello, but I like the cherry because it’s a deeper red and perfect for Christmas.
lime jello – this is the best green color and is really bright and festive for Christmas
unflavored gelatin – we used Knox brand.
sweetened condensed milk – do not substitute evaporated milk. The sweetened condensed milk is needed for the sweetness. This gives the jello layers of richness between the regular jello layers.
water – be sure to pay attention to the hot (make sure it’s boiling water) and really, really, cold water. If you use luke warm water the jello won’t dissolve properly and you’ll have specs inside the finished jello layers
Is it Hard to Make Layered Jello?
It’s not hard, but it’s a process and you need to be patient. We’ve sped up the process significantly, which helps make it easier than the old fashioned versions of finger jello.
Just save some space in your freezer so you can set the pan in to chill each layer.
How Long Does It Take for Jello to Set?
If you’re just making a regular bowl of jello from a 3 ounce package of gelatin mix, it will take at least two minutes to set. Then you’ll need to put it in the refrigerator to fully firm for several hours.
Can I Put Jello In the Freezer to Set Quicker?
Yes, this layered jello recipe uses the freezer to quickly set the jello so you can move quickly with each layers.
You don’t want to freeze the jello though. Be sure to check on the jello layers after each pouring. We recommend freezing for 5 minutes for the jello layers, and up to 10 for the white cream layer.
If you’re making regular jello you can freeze a metal bowl before you make the jello. Jello sets faster in metal bowls than in glass.
How to Make Layered Jello
- Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and gently blot away excess oil. We recommend a glass pan.
- Get out 5 small bowls to use for making the jello mixtures.
- In the first small bowl, combine 1 box cherry jello, one package unflavored gelatin and one cup boiling water. Stir until dissolved and set aside to cool.
- In the second small bowl, repeat with the second box of cherry jello. Having separate bowls allows the measurements to be even when pouring onto the layers.
- In the third small bowl, combine 1 box lime jello, one package unflavored gelatin and one cup boiling water. Stir until dissolved and set aside to cool.
- In the fourth small bowl, repeat with the second box of lime jello.
- In the fifth small bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and one cup boiling water.
- Mix 2 packages of unflavored gelatin into the ¼ cup cold water, then pour into the sweetened condensed milk mixture. Separate into three separate bowls so they are equally measured.
- Pour one bowl of the lime jello into the baking dish. Place in the freezer for about 5 minutes, or until the gel is set.
- Pour one bowl of the sweetened condensed milk mixture over the lime jello, and return to the freezer. The sweetened condensed milk layers will take slightly longer than the plain jello. Keep in the freezer until it is set.
- Pour one bowl of red jello over the sweetened condensed milk layer and return to freezer. Continue this pattern, using white between each color until you end with a final layer of red.
- When all the layers are set, you can gently separate the jello from the baking dish, and flip upside down to remove.
- Cut into small squares. You can top with whipped cream or other decorations.
Layered Jello Tips
- Flat pan – I recommend using a glass pan for this recipe to ensure it’s level. If you use a metal pan, make sure it’s even on the bottom or you’ll end up with different sized jello squares at the end.
- Freezer space – clean out a shelf in your freezer to lay the pan flat to ensure level setting.
- Pre-determine how many white layers you’ll use (we had three layers) and measure the white mixture into three separate bowls so you know you have equal amounts. This will ensure the white layers will be the same thickness.
- Cool liquid – as you freeze a layer, immediately begin the jello for the next layer. This will allow for it to cool for a minute or two before you need to pour it on the set layer. If the jello is too hot it will melt the previous layer and the colors will mix together.
- As you are pouring the jello layers, move the bowl/cup around the layer to evenly spread the jello.
- Bubbles – if you see any bubbles in the jello, try to pop them with the tip of a knife or fork.
Layered Jello Variations
Red, pink, and white for Valentine’s Day — use strawberry or watermelon, and cherry
St. Patrick’s Day – use lime and white
Red, white and blue for Fourth of July – use cherry and blueberry
Orange, white, and purple for Halloween – use orange and grape
Rainbow – use blueberry, lime, lemon, orange, cherry or strawberry, grape with thin layers of white in between
How to Store Layered Jello
A layered jello salad like this will last about a week. It should be stored in the refrigerator.
If serving at a party. Cut the jello into squares and keep refrigerated until ready for serve.
If you’re looking for another fun Christmas dessert – especially one that kids love, try our stacked Christmas tree sugar cookies.
Layered Jello
Ingredients
- 2 boxes 3 oz. cherry jello
- 2 3 oz. lime jello
- 6 packages gelatin unflavored
- 1 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
- 6 cups water boiling
- 1/4 cup water cold
Instructions
- Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and gently blot away excess oil.
- Set out 5 small bowls.
- In the first small bowl, combine 1 box cherry jello, one package unflavored gelatin, and one cup boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- In the second small bowl, combine 1 box cherry jello, one package unflavored gelatin, and one cup boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- In the third small bowl, combine 1 box lime jello, one package unflavored gelatin, and one cup boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- In the fourth small bowl, combine 1 box lime jello, one package unflavored gelatin and one cup boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- In the fifth small bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and one cup boiling water.
- Mix 2 packages of unflavored gelatin into the ¼ cup cold water, then pour into the sweetened condensed milk mixture. Separate this mixture into three equal amounts (more bowls!)
- Wait until the jello mixes have cooled slightly before proceeding.
- Pour one bowl of the lime jello into the baking dish. Place in the freezer for about 5 minutes, or until the gel is set.
- Slowly pour a thin layer of the sweetened condensed milk mixture over the lime jello, and return to the freezer. The sweetened condensed milk layers will take slightly longer than the plain jello, about 10 minutes. Keep in the freezer until it is set.
- Pour one bowl of red jello over the sweetened condensed milk layer and return to freezer. Continue this pattern, using white between each color until you end with a final layer of red.
- When all the layers are set, you can gently separate the jello from the baking dish, and flip upside down to remove.
- Cut into small squares and top with whipped cream and sprinkles if desired.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Pam Asplund says
I really wish I had seen your tip regarding cooling gelatin. The directions implied I should prepare all 4 bowls of jello before I started the 1st layer in the freezer. The last two bowls were almost jelled solid and made for a messy presentaion. My fault, I guess. Should have read more than your recipe. Perhaps you could add a note to step 3 to *see cooling tips. thank you.
cindy says
the jello sets before it can be transferred to the dish. Waste of money, jello and time.