Fun way to jazz up Jello with a retro twist. Cute blast from the past!
There are some recipes that just scream childhood to me. Jello is one of them. My mom used to make jello all the time. We ate it constantly as kids. Sometimes it was plain, sometimes it had fruit cocktail mixed into it and other times she would layer it. This recipe reminds me of my mom. I love recipes that make me think of her. I have so many wonderful memories of her that revolve around food, and around jello.
This was fun to make but a bit of a pain in the rump. It takes a lot of layering, then waiting, then layering, then waiting. This goes on all day. So if you plan to make this make sure you do it a day or two ahead. I also realized that you should divide one of the steps. There is a condensed milk mixture you layer into it. If you make it all ahead of time it will start to firm up before you finish. You can add a little hot water to loosen it up. My suggestion would be to divide it and make up smaller batches every couple of layers. That way it stays liquid enough for the layers. By the time I got to the top layer the mixture was not smooth enough for my liking. Live and learn.
Learning is a big part of cooking and baking. You will do things that you shouldn’t do. You will occasionally forget an ingredient. You may over-mix something. There may even be a time where you read directions wrong and completely mess up a recipe. Then there are days you might do silly things like tip over a glass full of layered jello you spent all day making. That glass might break and you might be left with only one parfait glass full of the layered jello left to photograph. So for any of you who think us food bloggers are perfect and never make mistakes I’d like to show you some proof we can be giant doofuses just like everyone else.
Told you! Doofus city. I am nothing if not completely honest. But I want you to realize anyone can cook, bake or make layered jello. Just have fun and when crapola like this happens don’t sweat it. Laugh it off and move on. There’s no use crying over spilled jello people.
I used Momofuku for 2’s recipe for Rainbow Jello. It is simple and you can always trust a Momofuku recipe to be amazing. Not that one needs a recipe if you are just layering jello but when you add in the condensed milk layers it’s good to make sure you know what you are doing. Which I did not. I mean I am the chick who knocked over an entire glass of this stuff after spending all day making it. Did you really expect me to know how to make creamy milk layers in jello. I have limits people. Apparently my limit is condensed milk recipes. Who knew?
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- 6 packages of Jello ( I used grape, berry blue, raspberry, lemon, lime, orange)
- 5 tablespoons of gelatine (I used Knox, works really well)
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- In a bowl (or a large measure cup with spout to make transferring the liquid easier) mix your first flavour of Jello with ½ tablespoon of gelatine. Add 1 cup of boiling water. Pour into desired serving cup so it makes a thin layer. Pop this in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes to set.
- Mix ½ can of condensed milk with ½ cup of boiling water. Set aside.
- In a bowl place 1 tablespoon of gelatine and pour ¼ cup of cold water over it. Now let it rest for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add ¼ cup of boiling water to the bowl of gelatine you set aside to bloom. Stir it really well. Then add milk mixture to it. Mix again. Allow to cool to room temperature before attempting to fill any dishes with it. If you pour it over the jello the heat will make a mess of your layers.
- Once the milky portion is cooled pour it over the first jello layer. Stick in the fridge to set for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Repeat with next 2 batches of jello and milky portion alternating them in thin layers.
- Make your second batch of the milky portion. Doing it later like this will keep it from becoming too firm too early. So you are repeating steps 3 and 4. If you don't want to scroll here's the instructions for your lazy butt- In a bowl place 1 tablespoon of gelatine and pour ¼ cup of cold water over it. Now let it rest for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add ¼ cup of boiling water to the bowl of gelatine you set aside to bloom. Stir it really well. Then add milk mixture to it. Mix again. Allow to cool to room temperature before attempting to fill any dishes with it. If you pour it over the jello the heat will make a mess of your layers.
- Repeat layering process with each Jello package until you use it all up. Make sure you let each layer set for 20 to 30 minutes in the fridge before the next layer.
- Allow to firm up completely.
- Stuff your face!
Make sure you plan ahead.
If you want to get them out of the little dishes just place them carefully in a shallow pan of warm water and they will loosen up and come free.
You can also spray the pan or glasses with non stick spray if you like.
You can leave out the milky portion. I did two with the milky portion and then a bunch of little glasses with just straight up Jello.
I would be more careful about the colours you layer than I was if you make it with straight up jello. I put the green and yellow next to each other and there wasn't enough contrast for my liking so think about which ones you want where before making it.
I did two glasses with the milk mixture layered in it. Then I did 6 mini glasses with just straight up Jello layers. I knew mini-me would turn her nose up at the milky one so I busted my hump for her benefit. You’re welcome mini-me. Always here to make your food extra special you little pain in the…Jello. Good for kids and adults. Ya, that’s where I was going with that.
Make sure you stop by all the other Sunday Supper crew’s sites to see what they whipped up for you.
Sunday Supper Retro Appetizers:
- Irish Cheddar-Whiskey Fondue by girlichef
- Retro Football Party: Fondue, Deviled Chicken Wings & Lemon Chiffon by Zest Florida Foodie
- She Devils: Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs by Ruffles & Truffles
Sunday Supper Retro Salads:
- Coca-Cola Salad by Magnolia Days
- Salmon Salad | Retro Tuna Salad by Family Foodie
- Ambrosia Salad by Simply Gourmet
- Romaine “Wedge” Salad with Hot Maple Bacon Dressing by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Carrot & Raisin Salad by The Roxx Box
- Sweet & Smoky Broccoli Salad by In The Kitchen with KP
Sunday Supper Retro Breads and Sandwiches:
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- Creamed Chipped Salmon Jerky on Toast by Pescetarian Journal
- Grown-Up Tuna Melts by Home Cooking Memories
- English Muffin Pizzas by Comfy Cuisine
- Patty Melt, Hand Cut Fries, & a Shake by Mooshu Jenne
SundaySupper Main Dishes:
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- Chicken Pot Pie Topped With Bacon Cheddar Biscuits by Chocolate Moosey
- Tuna Noodle Casserole by Country Girl in the Village
- Nana’s Marinated Beef Roast by Supper for a Steal
- Chorizo Scotch Eggs by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Chicken Maryland by Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Mushroom Stroganoff by Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Dairyfree Toast Hawaii by Galactosemia in PDX
- Porcupine Meatballs by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Chicken Kiev by The Urban Mrs.
- Salmon Quiche with Preserved Lemon by Shockingly Delicious
- Fried Chicken only in the Oven by In the Kitchen with Audrey
- Hambak Steak a.k.a. Salisbury Steak by Kimchi Mom
- Retro-Redo: Homemade TV Dinner by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Kicked Up Meatloaf by Curious Cuisiniere
- Shrimp Scampi (a lighter version) by Kudos Kitchen
- Old-Fashioned Pork Chops by My Trial in the Kitchen
- Jägerschnitzel by Sustainable Dad
- Healthier Hamburger-Corn Noodle Casserole by The Weekend Gourmet
- Tuna Noodle Casserole by Cookistry
- Chicken-N-Biscuits Pot Pie Casserole by The Messy Baker Blog
- Meatloaf that will make you swoon and Datz the truth by Midlife Roadtrip
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Sunday Supper Retro Sides and Veggies:
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- Smokey Braised Red Cabbage by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
- Classic Green Bean Casserole Redux by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Mem’s Broccoli Casserole by Momma’s Meals
- Tator Tot Casserole by Neighbor Food Blog
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Sunday Supper Retro Desserts and Cocktails:
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- Peachy Keen Tutti-Frutti Jello by La Cocina de Leslie
- Old School Boozy Rum Cake by Webicurean
- Individual Baked Alaskas by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake by Noshing with the Nolands
- Refrigerator Strawberry Cheesecake by There and Back Again
- Frozen Pineapple Upside-Down Cake by Juanita’s Cocina
- Boston Cream Pie by Gotta Get Baked
- Coca-Cola Cupcakes by Daily Dish Recipes
- Jello Poke Cake by Flour On My Face
- Devil’s Food Cake by Maroc Mama
- Bread Pudding with Pecans by Basic and Delicious
- Victoria Sponge Cake by The Lovely Pantry
- A Chocolate Twist on the Classic Japanese Strawberry Shortcake by Ninja Baking
- Post War Apple Pudding by My Cute Bride
- Spaghetti with Currywurst Sauce by Masala Herb
- Layered Mini Chocolate Banana Cakes by Big Bears Wife
- Raspberry Jam Cakes by Pippis in the Kitchen Again
- Cocktail: Moscow Mule by Crazy Foodie Stunts
Make sure you help yourself to an extra slice of cake today. It’s my birthday so I’m whooping it up today. Heading out to see a movie then probably home for takeout. Might just hang out and watch movies all night long. No work. No cooking. No chores. Why oh why can’t every day be my birthday.
Toodles and smoochies! xx
The Ninja Baker says
Bravo, Kim. Despite the challenges, you pulled off brilliant jello desserts!
Sherron@SimplyGourmet says
Oh I love those little shots of jello! I remember my Mom making layered jello for dinners and special events. I can’t wait to introduce my kids to this–believe it or not–my kids have only had jello a handful of times in their 18+ years. Time to change that.
Helene Dsouza I Masala Herb says
Maybe it took sometime to make your rainbow jello but it was well worth it. Looks stunning and the layers are so perfect (mathematically and the choice if shades). I am not sure if I had the patience, but I imagine that it would be a great treat to surprise some kids for their birthdays. thanks for sharing Kim!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Girl, I feel yah!! Just when I have everything perfect and ready for a photo, I either knock it over, get my arm in it or forget a main ingredient, sit down to eat and realize I forgot to put something on it! I hate that!! Glad you were able to save one parfait! It looks amazing! I totally forgot about jello layer parfaits! Awesome recipe!
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says
I speak rainbow, and these are gorgeous!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
This is a great project for a lazy day, or a kids party. And condensed milk makes dessert a bit better! I like the colors in the small glasses Kim!
Katie says
This recipe is SO MUCH FUN! I love it!
Tara says
Nicely done and great post as always. You make the most fun stuff!! Love it!!
Sarah says
It always looks so pretty I never want to eat it!
Kate | Food Babbles says
Loving this! I just recently made these for my girls birthday party which was rainbow themed. These were devoured in mere minutes!
john@kitchenriffs says
We used to have Jell-O for dessert all the time when I was a kid. Haven’t made any for ages, and never did the layer bit. Looks like fun! Good stuff – thanks.
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
I love love love this! The colors are great. My mom used to make this too. I forgot how much I loved this. Thank you for sharing!
Conni Smith says
OH MY GOSH!!!!!! I haven’t thought of these since I was a kid. I remember seeing them in commercials on tv! LOL Way to go!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Dream: I’m going to dream about this jello until I get me some. This is one impressive jello mold.
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) says
I love jello…and the little ones would make really fun jello shot drinks for an adults-only party! You’re making me so excited to visit Momofuku Milk Bar in April!!
Donna says
I had an aunt who was the queen of the jello molds. Very retro. Yours look more edible. Hers sort of scared me.
Laura Hunter | Small Wallet Big Appetite says
This looks like a labour of love recipe. I love how colourful it is
Susan says
You’re a champ Kim! That’s all I have to say. Also I’m with mini-me. I’ll take the plain Jello ones. 🙂
Bea says
They are so cute 🙂 My kids would love it!!!
Renee says
What? You didn’t tilt the glasses to the side so the layers would be at an angle? (Giggling) I saw that once and thought about how many glasses I would probably break in the process.
Beautiful layers though. I’d like the ones with the milk layers. Just plain regular Jello does not appeal to me.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
This is totally awesomely groovy! I haven’t had layered jello in ages. When I first started dating my husband, his dad used to always make little individual cups of jello with canned fruit inside. I loved it! Your layered jello is gorgeous, like a work of psychedelic art. I’m glad you didn’t give up when the glass broke (I would’ve thrown a tantrum).
Hezzi-D says
This was one of my favorites as a child. I loved the colors and the layers in between the jello.
Amanda @ MarocMama says
These are totally retro!