From layered, rainbow cubes to creamy, fluffy fruit salads, these colorful, jiggly Jell-O recipes include vintage favorites and new, delicious dessert ideas.
1/35
Strawberry Jell-O Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
There's plenty of sweet berry flavor in this refreshing dessert. Made with sugar-free gelatin and a graham cracker crust, the summery strawberry pie with Jell-O is easy to fix and attractive enough to serve to guests. I sometimes substitute fresh peaches and peach gelatin. —D. Smith, Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania
2/35
Rainbow Jello Cubes
From the Recipe Creator:
These perky gelatin cubes are fun to serve and to eat! I vary the colors to match the occasion—pink and blue for a baby shower, school colors for a graduation party, and so on. Kids of all ages snap them up. —Deanna Pietrowicz, Bridgeport, Connecticut
3/35
Strawberry Cloud Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This dessert’s light and fluffy texture is perfect for those nights when you want something simple. The recipe uses strawberry applesauce and whipped cream to get that balance of subtly sweet and refreshing flavor that's not too heavy. —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
4/35
Seven-Layer Gelatin Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's an eye-catching salad that my mother makes for Christmas dinner each year. You can choose different flavors to make other color combinations for specific holidays or other gatherings. —Jan Hemness, Stockton, Missouri
5/35
Orange Tapioca Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh, fruity flavor makes this pretty salad popular with all ages. Our whole family really digs into its fluffy goodness. I can put it together in the morning or even the night before and pop it in the fridge until suppertime. —Denise Nebel, Wayland, Iowa
6/35
Jell-O Shots
From the Recipe Creator:
A flash from the past to your good ol' college days, these gelatinous shots are simple yet delicious. Only three ingredients are needed to make these sweet, fun drinks: vodka, water and berry-flavored Jell-O. —Ceara Milligan, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
7/35
Pretzel Gelatin Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my mother's absolute favorite desserts. The salty pretzel crust is the perfect complement to the sweet cream cheese filling. —Erin Frakes, Moline, Illinois
8/35
Mango Mousse Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
This light and moist cake's fruitful flavors will take you right to the tropics. Dallops of mango puree and a heavy whipping cream-based mousse make each bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious. —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
9/35
Pina Colada Jam
From the Recipe Creator:
If you like pina coladas, you’ll love this! But here’s the kicker: The secret ingredient is fresh zucchini. Spread the jam on crackers and cheese or add to a pan sauce to give chicken or pork chops a tropical twist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10/35
Stained Glass Gelatin
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids love this sweet, wiggly gelatin and whipped topping dessert. Use different flavors of gelatin to make color versions that are as wild as your imagination. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
11/35
Margarita Jell-O Shots
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone's favorite cocktail becomes a celebratory shot! Serve this margarita gelatin shot recipe in shot glasses garnished to look like mini margaritas or, for a fun twist, pour the mixture into hollowed-out lime halves, chill and then slice into wedges. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
12/35
Lime Gelatin Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Looking for a festive dish to light up the buffet? This pretty green gelatin salad is eye-catching and has a delightful, tangy flavor. —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa
13/35
Orange Creamsicle Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
The creamy, dreamy flavor of the creamsicle is perfectly captured in these orange creamsicle bars! The no-bake version of the ice cream truck dessert has orange and white layers with a blend of soft orange and vanilla flavors. —Nancy Mock, Southbridge, Massachusetts
14/35
Strawberry Jell-O Mold
From the Recipe Creator:
This refreshing salad has two layers - a pretty pink bottom that includes sour cream, and a ruby red top with strawberries and pineapple. For years, Mom has included this salad in meals she prepares for our family. -Gloria Grant, Sterling, Illinois
15/35
Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Salty pretzels pair nicely with the sweet fruit in this refreshing layered salad. It’s a family favorite that is a slam-dunk at potlucks. —Peggy Boyd, Northport, Alabama
16/35
Ribbon Jello
From the Recipe Creator:
Layers of red and green make this festive salad a favorite during the Christmas season. Kids are sure to find it fun to eat, and adults will enjoy the combination of sweet-tart flavors.
—Jenny Hughson, Mitchell, Nebraska
17/35
Apricot Fluff
From the Recipe Creator:
When we were young mothers, I asked my best friend if she had a recipe for an easy ambrosia salad that I could take to a cookout later that evening. She shared this recipe with me and it's become a must-have at every barbecue I attend. It's sublime with peaches and peach gelatin, too. —Melissa Meinke, Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania
18/35
Jellied Champagne Dessert
From the Recipe Creator:
This refreshing dessert looks just like a glass of bubbling champagne.—Vickie McLaughlin, Kingsport, Tennessee
19/35
Peach Bavarian
From the Recipe Creator:
Fruit molds are my specialty. This one, with its refreshing peach taste, makes a colorful salad or dessert. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey
20/35
Homemade Mango Marshmallows
From the Recipe Creator:
Homemade marshmallows are much better than bagged ones. I had yummy results when I flavored my recipe with mango nectar. Look for it in your store’s Mexican food section. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
21/35
July 4th Jell-O Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Almost as spectacular as the fireworks, this lovely salad makes quite a "bang" at our July Fourth meal. It's exciting to serve, and our guests loved the cool fruity and creamy layers. This salad really added to my patriotic theme. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
22/35
Rosey Raspberry Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I make this pretty raspberry salad, people talk! It's a festive side dish that works well for celebrations throughout the year. —Jane Vanderground, Macedonia, Ohio
23/35
Swedish Creme
From the Recipe Creator:
This thick and creamy dessert is my interpretation of my mother’s recipe for Swedish krem. It has just a hint of almond flavor and looks spectacular with bright red berries on top. Serve it in glasses to match the occasion. —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota
24/35
Grandmother’s Orange Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
This orange salad dessert is slightly sweet and tangy, too. It adds beautiful color to any meal and appeals to all ages! —Ann Eastman, Santa Monica, California
25/35
Peppermint Marshmallows
From the Recipe Creator:
The fluffy, airy texture of handmade marshmallows will remind you of glistening snowflakes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
26/35
Strawberry Pretzel Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This cool no-bake strawberry pie is the perfect cure for your sweet tooth, especially in summer. Made with pantry staples, it is as easy as pie to make and has become one of my most requested warm-weather treats. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
27/35
Raspberry Gelatin Jewels
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids love this jiggly salad, and honestly, so do the adults. It's always going to be on my holiday buffet. —Brenda Leonard, APO, AP
28/35
Pina Colada Molded Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
My gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
29/35
Green Flop Jell-O
From the Recipe Creator:
Get ready for fluffy lemon-lime goodness. My family calls it "flop Jell-O" because most of the time a clear gelatin layer that tastes like lemon-lime soda falls to the bottom of the dish. Try it with any flavor gelatin! —Michelle Gauer, Spicer, Minnesota
30/35
Strawberry Lime Pretzel Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
I gave a classic summer salad a holiday twist by making green, white and red layers. The combination of salty, sweet, creamy and fruity is always a hit! —Renee Conneally, Northville, Michigan
31/35
Red, White ‘n’ Blue Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Our striking "flag" salad drew plenty of attention at our Independence Day party. The shimmering stripes are formed with distinctive gelatin layers. It makes you want to salute before spooning some up! —Laurie Neverman, Green Bay, Wisconsin
32/35
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Meringue Roses
From the Recipe Creator:
Eat these pretty treats as is or crush them into a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. Readers of my blog, utry.it, went nuts when I posted that idea.—Amy Tong, Anaheim, California
33/35
Apricot Salad
From the Recipe Creator:
Colorful gelatin salad adds a spot of brightness to any table. It blends well with this holiday feast. We children didn't know if it should be a salad or dessert, with its smooth texture and delicate flavor.—Fae Fisher, Callao, Virginia
34/35
Red-White-and-Blue Berry Delight
From the Recipe Creator:
Loaded with fresh strawberries and blueberries, this luscious JELL-O is perfect for any Fourth of July celebration! —Constance Fennell, Grand Junction, Michigan
35/35
Mango Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
Cheesecake is my mom's favorite dessert. I made this especially for her on Mother's Day to thank her for being such an awesome mom. Decorate to your own taste! —Elizabeth Ding, El Cerrito, California
Jell-O Recipes FAQ
What can you make with Jell-O for a party?
Party-friendly Jell-O recipes range from large, sliceable, multi-layered rainbow-colored desserts, pies and cheesecakes to delicious gelatin fruit salads and bite-sized treats. For an adults-only gathering, Jell-O shots remain a classic favorite that can be made with many different flavors of gelatin.
Can you bake with Jell-O?
You can bake with Jell-O by adding the dry powder to a cake or cookie mix to add flavor and color, depending on the variety of Jell-O used. Remember that gelatin melts at high heat, so it won’t retain its wobbly, jiggly texture in a baked recipe. For the best of both qualities, try a Jell-O poke cake, where prepared gelatin is poured over a baked cake, then chilled until the colorful stripes set within the cake.
What are popular, old-school Jell-O dessert recipes?
Retro Jell-O desserts include no-bake cheesecakes, fruity Jell-O salads, like cran-raspberry gelatin salad and peach Bavarian, and decorative, layered Jell-O molds. If using unflavored gelatin, homemade marshmallows are a classic treat that showcases the versatility of this pantry staple.
