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.
Questions & Reviews
I am going to make this as a side during birthday cake for my daughter’s Alice in Wonderland party — very colorful. <3
Thats a great idea!
Alishia–Ooh, that’s tricky. I’d just wait until it’s about room temperature–it shouldn’t be setting up by then.
Started making this last night with my 8 yr. old daughter, she is so excited to have this for dessert tonight. She’s at school now and I was finishing up making it with the milk mixture(I guess I am too impatient) I didn’t let it cool long enough. My colors started to melt. For perfection next time, how long do you let it cool for? Thanks for the recipe!
Trying this for desert tonight. For some reason, I’ve got the pickiest kids on the planet. They never have been fans of jello. but maybe the cool way it looks (if it turns out right) will help.
Looks good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I hope you are proud of yourselves…I have been on the computer for a whole hour and didn’t even realize it!!! I am now going to be one of your biggest fans. Everything I see on here I love!!! Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures and instructions I cannot wait to try some of these things out !!!!
Thx for the fun recipe. I made it for my girls’ birthday party & everyone loved it. It didn’t turn out looking as good as yours though. All my color cubes floated to the top & the white gelatin sank to the bottom. LOL… It was a hit none-the-less though.
Has anyone tried it with coconut milk yet? I’m not adverse to using the sweetened condensed milk, but I DO love coconut!!! Maybe half of each?
We made this recipe for Christmas in green and red, and it turned out wonderful. Tomorrow we are going to do all green for St. Patrick’s Day. Thanks!
I have to tell you guys that I made this last Christmas with friends. I substituted as much vodka as possible in place of water (I did my research on the internet. Those college kids have really got it down to a science!). Not only were they beautiful, but they sure packed a punch!!! It was the festively perfect way to get everyone into the ‘spirit’! (haha…sorry, had to do it) Anyway, thanks ladies, for the inspiration!
I love jello so when I came across this recipe I knew I was in heaven. How have I never seen jello like this before?! I can’t wait to make this.
Also, where do you guys get all of your recipes? Do you come up with them on your own?
this looks amazing! wondering though- the recipe calls for 4 boxes but the photos look like you used 5. blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Can you use the same recipe with 5?
Yep- sugar free jello is just fine, it's what I always use 🙂
Can you use sugarless jello?
I don't think it would matter but thought I'd check first.
Of course the sweetened condensed milk kinda shoots the calories way up there anyway 🙂
its awesome.. 😀
I'm not a huge jello fan, but my kids LOVE it… I'm sure this would be the hit of the week in my house… so fun!
I followed your recipe and made this for my students in the Bronx. They finished it all! thank you…
http://thevocalsokool.blogspot.com/2011/01/lot-to-be-thankful-for.html
Here is the specific post just in case you are interested.
You have just so totally rocked my Jello loving world.
I like the way Jello tastes, but I love all the wacky things you can mold it into. Feel free to check out my blog post relating to my traditional Thanksgiving 17 Layer Jello on my blog @ Thevocalsokool.blogspot.com.
I Can't wait to make this for my next holiday party. I love seeing people go ape over Jello.
just made this for new years and my kids loved it! fun and easy to make! thanks for the recipe!
OOh, I'm totally making this!! Kroger has their own brand of gelatin that comes in a big box w/ lots of those little pkgs. I just bought one yesterday! Hurray!
I love this! I love the way Jello looks. I have made some of the layered ones in bundt pans. They came out really nice but this is what I have to try next.
Here is what mine looked like.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1739690095081&set=a.1120237329149.19747.1323531330
and
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1789231933596&set=a.1789229653539.103345.1323531330
My wife is from Mexico, and believe it or not Jello/Gelatina is very popular, probably more popular than here in the states, even in our Jello belt (Utah and Idaho) they have ones similar to this but the base is more beige in color so the colors don't pop as much as yours. Very striking! In some parts of Mexico it is more common to take a Gelatina to a birthday instead of a cake.
I love your blog, some of my friends have convinced me to start my own check it out if you like, it is only a couple days old.
http://canjohncook.blogspot.com
Great stuff thanks for your contribution!
I made this for our Christmas Eve party & it was a HUGE hit. I'm now making it again to take to another family party for Christmas day. I also made the bleu cheese stuffed potatoes for the second time & they were delicious. You guys have the greatest blog. I've been a fan for a long time but I never comment. I'll be making this recipe for every holiday. The color possibilities are so much fun! Thanks!!!
Sorry Kate, I am not the best proof reader… left out the "e" in my last comment! I know what your name is and how to spell it! LOL You should see my facebook posts! LOL
I had an idea for Sara and Kat. One of your followers Lizzie, her husband has an issue w/ milk, well being so involved w/ the hispanic community for the last 8 years, (thanks to my awesome husband Oscar & serving as a full time missionary), there are the hispanic jellos & 1 is Nuez (nut), it's the same color as what you are using and it's nice a sweet! LOVE IT! I have used it making jello cups for my kids' b-day parties in NC. Hope that helps someone! Just have to go to a hispanic store or food section to find it! Love you guys!
Just made this in red & green for our Christmas Eve party. They look so cool!!!!
What brand of sweeten condensed milk did you use? I used bordens and it turned a slightly yellowish color… not white like yours!
Kate! So, I have been reading your blog for a year now after finding it through Karen Callister's blog. And only this month I realized that we were in the same freshman ward!! You are very popular, you know? Even in Japan!!! I live in Japan right now, and there are lots of ladies here that are in awe with your recipes. I bet this particular one will be my husband's favorite to make for kids (he is a pro at layered jello, so this will be a new thing to conquer-haha). Keep up the good work, and we'll keep on reading!!
OH my gosh I was too impatient to wait for my condensed milk mix to cool enough now I have 'special holiday mess jelly' grrrrr I was too excited to show off…. will try again once I brave the shops for more Jelly thanks
Linda–The only concern with putting the lids on the containers is that there will be condensation and it may drip down onto your jello and make it not as pretty. But if you let it cool to room temperature before putting the lids on, the condensation will be minimal.
Hope that helps!