So a few days ago, I got a text from Sara saying that she noticed I had holiday Jello something on the calendar and was wondering if I was FINALLY posting my soon-to-be-world-famous Jello/cottage cheese/shredded carrot concoction. I texted her back that I was. And then I couldn’t stand myself any longer because if there’s one thing I never joke about, it’s cottage cheese and vegetables in my Jello and told her I was planning on doing this.
but you can adapt it for any holiday–red and green for Christmas purists, white and red for Valentine’s Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day, red, white, and blue for the 4th of July, the list goes on and on.
Clear out an entire shelf of your fridge. Take 4 small plastic food storage containers; you can use any shape and you can even mix and match. Spray them with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Bring about 5 cups of water (no need to measure right now) to a boil. When it has come to a boil, measure out 1 cup of water. Whisk in 1 package of Jello and stir until it’s dissolved.
Pour it into one of the prepared containers:
and repeat with the remaining flavors of Jello and boiling water.
Place these in the refrigerator (uncovered) for at least 4 hours, but overnight is really preferable.
When the Jello has set up, you’ll need to prepare the white “filling.” Sprinkle 2 packets of unflavored gelatin over 1/2 c. of cold water. In the meantime, bring 1 1/2 c. water to a boil (you could totally do this in the microwave in a large glass measuring cup). When the gelatin has stood for 4-5 minutes, add the boiling water and stir to dissolve.
Add in the can of sweetened condensed milk
and whisk the mixture until the milk is fully incorporated into the water/gelatin mixture. Allow the milk mixture to cool while you prepare the color cubes.
Remove the colored Jello from the fridge and carefully cut it into squares.
When I say “carefully,” I mean to try and not have too many jagged edges, but don’t worry about making the squares perfect. Part of the beauty of this Jello is a little variation!
Lightly spray a 9×13″ pan with non-stick cooking spray. Gently toss the cubes together in the pan.
Some of the blocks will float to the top. You may need to rearrange things a little so you don’t have all of one color in one area of the pan and so the cubes are evenly distributed. Also, poke down some of the floaters so they’re not COMPLETELY protruding from the white mixture.
Place the pan on a completely level surface in the fridge and refrigerate, (uncovered) overnight or at least 8 hours.
When you’re ready to serve, carefully cut these bad boys into squares or rectangles
or you could even use cookie cutters.
Prepare yourself for lots of “oohs” and “aahs“!
Glass Block Holiday Jello
4 3-oz. packages assorted Jello (in coordinating colors)
2 packets unflavored gelatin
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
Spray 4 small food storage containers (like Tupperware/Gladware/Rubbermaid) with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Bring 5+ cups of water to a boil. Combine 1 c. boiling water with 1 package of Jello, stirring until dissolved. Place the dissolved Jello in one of the prepared containers. Repeat with the remaining packages of Jello. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferable overnight.
When the Jello has set, bring another 1 1/2 c. of water to a boil. While the water is heating, sprinkle 2 packets of unflavored gelatin over 1/2 c. of cold water. Allow to stand for about 4 minutes. When the water is boiling, pour 1 1/2 c. boiling water over the dissolved gelatin and stir to combine. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix well. Allow to come to room temperature.
Lightly spray a 9×13″ pan with non-stick cooking spray. Carefully cut the colored Jello into cubes and gently toss to combine in the 9×13″ pan. Pour the cooled milk mixture over the colored Jello and, if necessary, rearrange some of the colored Jello to make sure it is evenly distributed and not sticking out of the white mixture too far.
Place the 9×13″ pan in the refrigerator and chill overnight. Cut into squares, rectangles, or various shapes with cookie cutters and serve.
I have been to Skipper's…. I completely love that place… I have many fond memories of going there on all-you-can-eat tuesdays, and my parents sharing the fish with my sister and me!!!! Man, I hate living so far away from home (right now!)
I can't wait to make these for my daughters class!!!!
You got linked to on Neatorama! How cool! 🙂
What a fun, fun idea!!
I am completely fascinated by these. I just keep staring at the screen… you ladies are amazing!
One question- the first description says 1 1/2 cups of boiling water, but the actual recipe says 2 cups. Which is correct?
Thanks!!
Blast from the past indeed! An aunt loved making these and at every birthday and type of party we had growing up there was always the colorful Jello. I've never tried it myself but since it seems pretty easy I'll have to give it a try! Thanks for sharing 🙂
K I read this yesterday and I seriously dreamt about making this…I'm off to the store for some jello.
I am a jello fan, so these will be great to make for the kids. I remember the layered one my mom used to make, but this seems way easier. Thanks!
This looks fantastic for such a little effort! My kids are going to love this one.
Thanks!
Do you think you could other non-milk substitutes? I can't use juice as we have two people who require tight carb counts, toss a milk allergy in there and we'll need to do something different, but I can't pass up this fun looking recipe.
What do you think? I know I can't use soy as that won't even set in pudding…what about some sort of coconut milk? Any ideas?
when I first saw the picture before reading the text I was like, oh cool, but odd, that OBB is doing a thing about soap! This is much better. Literally. Who wants to eat soap? I had to once when I was 6 because I said a curse word. Not good.
Miriam- One envelope of gelatin is 1/4 ounce, which is about 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 teaspoons
My mom made this for us as a kid all the time! She called it Rainbow jello and Haven't had it in years! My favorite part is the white jello! Thanks for letting me reminisce, It made me smile!
These look awesome!
How much gelatine is in an envelope? Here in Australia it comes all loose in a container. (and it's not even Knox!)
What you need is for people to post pictures of there jello's from this receipe, reading everyone's comments my first thought was "I'd like to see how most of these readers jello's turn out".
Oh so fun and pretty! I love pretty! I think we'll have them this weekend!
AMAZING!!! I'm so excited to make this 🙂
I have a ton of Jello in my cupboard, but for some reason, I never really make it. I should use some of it up in this recipe – how fun!!
Seriously, you AMAZE me with the things you come up with! Those are so beautiful!!!
This is really a great idea that I have to try! Thanks for the great inspiration!
Love it, love it, love it! And we have all this jello just sitting in our cabinets too! Gonna try this out!
This is two days in a row I have found your ideas most exquisite. Thank you for not being selfish and keeping these to yourself.
That looks way cool! I love it! It actually looks like those homemade glycerin soap bars!!! LOL I think my kids would love these! And oh yes, I remember Skippers, but I haven't eaten one let alone seen one in like 15-20 years??
This is amazing! I'll be making it for Christmas. My kids will love it and I'm sure I will too.
Probably the COOLEST looking food I've ever seen. I actually think you just became more popular just for posting this! 🙂
This is so cool and beautiful! I can't wait to make some for a family party or for my 3rd grade students. How fun!
That is so freakin' cool! My kids will flip! Thanks!
I'm ooh-ing and ahh-ing right now. This is stunning! Really! The jumbled pieces in the pan pre-milk addition remind me of Legos. 🙂
I love it!
This is cool! love this. need to make this for my boys, they will be thrilled! thanks.
I love this! I'm totally going to make these. So so cool. I just love your guys blog. You always are amazing me.