Next time you flip through an old cookbook or lifestyle magazine, note how many Jell-O recipes you spot.
While they seem a little odd by modern standards, we admit that we get the appeal of gelatin-based recipes. They’re quick, cheap, and easy to make, especially if you're trying to prep for a big event. Plus, given how versatile and forgiving Jell-O is, you can easily whip up desserts that look fancy without major baking skills.
Although we’re past Jell-O’s heyday, we wouldn’t say no to these desserts.
July 4th Gelatin Salad
While gelatin salads almost disappeared from American consciousness in the 1980s, this patriotic incarnation still makes waves every July 4th. It’s also an easy dessert perfect for the summer.
You need a mold, strawberry and blueberry gelatin, sour cream, and sugar. The only planning you need for this dish is to ensure you make it the day before Independence Day. Like many other Jell-O desserts, this salad must sit in the fridge overnight.
Chocolate Banana Pie
Here's a chocolate and Jell-O creation perfect for everyone who feels dessert isn’t complete without the cocoa-rich addition. Combining chocolate, bananas, and unflavored gelatin, this treat is perfect for an important occasion and feels more luxurious than you’d expect for a Jell-O recipe.
You can serve this delicious pie with whipping cream and shaved dark chocolate on top or drizzle it with raspberry syrup or caramel sauce- but only if you have a seriously sweet tooth.
Molded Strawberry Salad
Molded Strawberry Salad usually has two layers, with strawberries and pineapple on top for a flavor explosion. Jell-O stars in the top layer and is added to the strawberries and pineapple to help them set.
There are different ways to present this sweet salad. It can be unmolded on a platter or served on individual plates. You can also increase its health food factor by adding extra strawberries on top for an extra fruit serving.
Strawberry Lemonade Poke Cake
Jell-O invented poke cake to revive its sales. If you’re wondering what poke cake is, it’s simply a cake that you poke all over the top with a fork or toothpick. Then, pour Jell-O all over the cake and let it set in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
There are many variations of poke cake. In this incarnation, you mix strawberry Jell-O with lemon zest and a bit of lemon juice for the ultimate pairing of fragrance and freshness. You can also add frosting to make the cake more sophisticated.
Rainbow Gelatine Cubes
The visuals of Rainbow Gelatine Cubes are stunning. Moreover, the recipe is dead simple to make. You'll need flavored and unflavored gelatin, condensed milk, and a bit of patience to create this striking dessert.
Patience comes in when you have to wait for each layer of Jell-O to set before moving on to the next layer. However, the wait is worth it. Your kids will love this colorful dessert, and to make it more fun, vary the colors to match whatever occasion you’re celebrating.
Orange Cream Pie
If you loved Orange Creamsicles as a child, you’ll love this twist on a classic favorite. Orange cream pie uses orange Jell-O, mandarins, and graham cracker crumbs to make a dessert full of nostalgia. Like most Jell-O desserts, it’s also easy to make.
Because this dessert is no-bake, you can make it on a whim or when you get unexpected company for lunch or dinner. Your guests will love a piece of this light and fluffy dessert.
7-Layer Gelatin Salad
The 7-Layer Gelatin Salad is an easy Christmas dessert option that allows you to spend more time with your loved ones. Choose festive Jell-O colors and flavors, and let this salad be the star of your table spread.
To bring the flavors to life, you can decorate with sliced strawberries and kiwi, which perfectly complement the colors of Christmas. Also, use whipping cream or Cool Whip for a “snowed-on” effect. Yum!
Fish Egg Salad
This one may not be a crowd-pleaser if you describe it as a “fish egg” dessert, but it’s worth a try if you like tapioca pearls and textured food. You can pick your favorite Jell-O flavor for this one, though we suggest going with raspberry or strawberry to achieve a pink color.
The final result showcases the tapioca, making the salad's texture intriguing. You can also ease squeamish would-be eaters’ minds by using Cool Whip or whipping cream to disguise the pearls and let the taste do the talking.
Pretzel Gelatin Dessert
This one pairs salty pretzels with Jell-O and sweet fruit for a final result that is surprisingly elevated, given the no-frills ingredients. You can combine orange Jell-O with pineapple, canned mandarins, and cream cheese.
You’ll have to use the oven to make the pretzel crust, but it will be worth it when you dig into this exotic-tasting dessert and taste the savory-sweet mix. If berries are in season, you can use them alongside strawberry Jell-O.
Trifle
Trifle is a classic English dessert that pairs whipped cream layers with sponge cake and fruit. Once again, the star of the show is Jell-O, which you add to the trifle to make it less dense.
You can use your favorite fruit and Jell-O flavors, but strawberries are one of the most common ingredients in trifles, so you can always fall back on this classic pairing of strawberries and whipped cream. Your tummy will thank you.
Pina Colada Jam
The best way to enjoy a pina colada outside of pouring yourself one is to try this pina colada jam, which works with sweet and savory meals thanks to its combination of pineapple gelatin, crushed pineapple, and zucchini.
You can serve this as a dip for chicken nuggets or co*cktail shrimp, or you can go the dessert route and use it as a cake filling or a quick after-dinner snack. The zucchini gives the jam a great texture, and the rum or rum extract you splash in adds to the unmistakable pina colada taste.
Strawberry Pie
This pie is as fluffy as they come. It’s also loaded with fresh strawberries, whipping cream, and — as you'd expect — Jell-O. It’s a no-bake recipe unless you make it with homemade pie crust.
Mixing strawberry Jell-O with whipped cream makes this dessert fluffy, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Because of the whipped cream, it doesn’t freeze well, but not to worry—there’s no chance you’ll have leftovers.
Stained Glass Gelatin Cake
When you make a stained glass gelatin cake, it’s up to you how many flavors of Jell-O you want to use or how many “stained glass” colors you want in each bite. The result is always better when you use as many colors as possible, so try a five-color cake and see what you think.
In addition to the gelatin, this simple recipe requires whipping cream and vanilla extract, letting the Jell-O flavors shine in this beautiful creation.
Broken Window Glass
Since we’re on this glass effect, the broken window glass cake you can make with Jell-O is worth mentioning. The main difference between this recipe and the stained glass cake is that firm gelatin is cut into cubes and added to a gelatin-whipped cream mixture to mimic broken glass.
You can pour the dessert into a mold and serve it in individual squares, maybe topped with extra whipping cream. Alternatively, you can make it into a pie and pour it into a graham cracker crust.
Lime Gelatin Salad
Many people experience nostalgia for their grandparents’ desserts, which were popular back in the 50s and 60s. This contender uses lime gelatin, crushed pineapple, cottage cheese, chopped walnuts, and a whopping cup of mayonnaise. Now, this last ingredient may give you pause, but many love this dessert enough to cook it for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so don’t give up yet.
The result should be fluffy, sweet, and crunchy from the walnuts. Its pretty green color is also festive and perfect for holiday celebrations.
Cherry Supreme Cheesecake
This desert has many incarnations as a salad, but given the end product, it qualifies as a cheesecake. It uses raspberry and lemon Jell-O, cream cheese, pineapple, marshmallows, and mayonnaise.
The cherry pie filling and slivered almonds, which give this recipe crunch, sweeten the deal. The cherries act as a base and are covered in a gelatin layer, making for a very presentable (not to mention mouth-watering) dessert.
Raspberry Cake
If you like red velvet cake, this one is right up your alley. You can improve the looks of plain red cake with raspberry gelatin and frozen raspberries. Add some raspberry mousse or Cool Whip on top, and you’ve got a quick dessert that your loved ones will go crazy for.
Serve topped with chopped nuts for an added level of sophistication or fresh raspberries for an extra helping of antioxidants with your dessert.
Pineapple Cheese Pie
If you’re wondering why so many Jell-O recipes use pineapple, we can hazard a guess that it’s because of its tropical taste and high sugar content. This pineapple Jell-O pie doubles as a cheesecake.
Use a ready-to-serve pie crust; you don’t need an oven to make this treat. However, because you’re mixing crushed pineapple with gelatin and cream cheese, your dessert must be set in the fridge for at least four hours.
Layered Christmas Gelatin
This gelatin dessert is versatile enough to serve topped with whipping cream in shot glasses for adults or cut into squares for kids to grab while running around the Christmas tree. Using the best Jell-O flavors for the Yule season, Christmas gelatin combines red, white, and green layers for a festive look.
The only things you need on hand to make this treat are Jell-O (lime, strawberry, and unflavored), condensed milk, whipped cream, and a Christmas decoration. We’re joking — the last one is optional, of course.
Peach Bavarian
A Peach Bavarian is a great way to use old-fashioned molds. The refreshing peach taste willentice even those who cringe when they hear about yesteryear’s desserts and their outdated presentations.
The recipe calls for canned peaches, but you can use fresh ones if they’re in season. You can use peach or apricot gelatin and serve your mold alongside sliced fresh fruit. Don’t forget to add almond extract to elevate the taste of your Jell-O!
Peach Panna Cotta
Peaches are refreshing enough, but when combined with Jell-O, grated lemon zest, peach nectar, and fresh mint, they’re the most refreshing no-bake dessert of the summer.
Panna cotta is a simple Italian dessert. You add gelatin to a cream-milk mixture and wait until it sets. Adding peach nectar elevates this dessert to the “all-time favorite” level. Don’t take our word for it — try it yourself!
Orange Cream Pops
Orange Cream Pops can replace calorie-heavy ice cream pops. Combine orange gelatin with vanilla yogurt and milk, which makes for a smooth texture you’ll crave whenever the weather gets hot.
If you don't have freezer pop molds, you can still make this recipe with paper cups. However, you must buy wooden pop sticks, or you’ll have to serve your cream pops in a bowl or glass, which can be messy with small kids.
Mango Marshmallows
Consider making this delicious marshmallow recipe if you’re a mango lover and often buy more mangoes than you can eat before they spoil. Although it works better with freeze-dried mangoes, this will still be a great treat without them.
The Jell-O star of this show is unflavored, yet it ensures that the marshmallows are fluffy and airy. Roll the mango marshmallows through coconut flakes to make their presentation stand out. Their texture will blow your mind.
Strawberry Pie
Jell-O makes it easier to turn your extra strawberries into an unforgettable dessert without much effort. All you need to do is combine it with water, cornstarch, and sugar and pour over your sliced strawberries.
If you use a prebaked pie crust, you only have to put the pie in the fridge and wait until the gelatin sets. We know waiting won’t be easy, though.
Swedish Creme
Swedish Creme is no-fuss to make, yet luxurious enough that it’s at home on the most elevated Christmas menu. Unflavored Jell-O combines whipping cream and sugar to make the base for this rich dessert. It then acts as a messenger to your taste buds for the almond and vanilla extracts that complete the taste of this treat.
Swedish Creme is best served with frozen raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries on top, but it’s also delicious on its own.
Lime Cheesecake
A cross between Key Lime Pie and lime cheesecake, this entry uses lime gelatin to make an easy, no-fuss dessert Key Lime Pie aficionados would die for. Key Lime yogurt, which may not be on every store’s shelves, may be the only ingredient that may cause you extra work.
The other ingredients are easy, including a no-bake graham crust that you just need to fill with your yogurt-gelatine mix. Easy peasy!
Lemon Snowball
Combining lemon and coconut flakes, this Jell-O dessert is a real eye-catcher. The unflavored Jell-O, which makes it airy and soft, doesn’t detract from the main flavors of this recipe: orange, lemon, and coconut.
Because it’s covered in coconut flakes, you don’t need a topping for this rich dessert. Just slice the snowball and serve it without any fuss. Whoever partakes in it will ask for seconds — and the recipe!
Lemon Chiffon Blueberry Dessert
This quick dessert is perfect for hot summer days, especially since it features refreshing lemon-flavored gelatin. To make these beautiful squares, use graham cracker crumbs for the base, fresh blueberries, and cream cheese.
You can garnish with extra blueberries, some graham cracker crumbs, and lemon zest to bring out the zing of this delicious summer guilty pleasure.
Creme de Menthe Squares
Creme de Menthe Squares are airy, creamy, crunchy bars that combine mint with chocolate, a rarity among Jell-O desserts. They use unflavored gelatin to let the creme de menthe and chocolate pudding shine in their own right.
The finished product is layered, placing the rich chocolate pudding between two layers of cool mint and over a bottom layer of crushed Oreo cookies. What’s there not to love?
Citrus Slush
Citrus slush is an awesome drink for all occasions, and it’s super easy to make, thanks to lemon and pineapple gelatin. The gelatin makes the mixture slushy, making the tastes of the other ingredients, like pineapple juice, lemonade, and ginger ale, more potent.
To serve this refreshing drink, garnish each glass or jar with lemon and lime slices and get ready to refill your guests’ glasses often. They’ll ask for more!
Bing Cherry-Amaretti Fool
Bing cherries are very sweet and demand their own dessert when they’re in season. The unflavored Jell-O helps the dark cherry flavor perfectly match the crushed amaretti cookies this recipe calls for.
To serve, you only need to add more of what makes this treat an absolute success — Bing cherries and some cookie crumbs. However, for a more elevated taste, try adding mint leaves.
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Meringue Roses
These treats are almost too pretty to eat. Strawberry Jell-O is once again the star of this dessert, and it combines with egg white to form the pink meringue that goes onto the base.
The most important kitchen tool for these roses is a #1M star piping tip, which allows you to gracefully pour the meringue and create dainty rose petals.
Apricot Salad
This light, fluffy apricot salad uses apricot gelatin to brighten crushed pineapple and cream cheese. The dessert has a pudding texture and works great as a quick treat or a last-minute addition to your table spread.
To serve, you can top each bowl with slices of canned apricots and fresh mint leaves. The mint contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the apricots, bringing a lot of freshness.
Red-White-And-Blue Berry Delight
Here’s another one for Independence Day if you’re stumped about what to make this year. This berry delight uses the sweetest berries of summer—blueberries and strawberries—and encases them in luscious unflavored gelatin and cranberry-peach juice.
You can top it with extra fruit or heavy whipping cream to make the ultimate summer treat your loved ones will clamor for every 4th of July and beyond.
Raspberry Bavarian
This recipe resembles the Peach Bavarian above but uses delightful raspberries as its centerpiece. Like all Bavarians, it looks a lot more time-consuming than it is and will elicit praise from even the fiercest Jell-O critics.
You need unflavored gelatin for this dessert. Mix it with raspberry juice and let it set before adding it to whipped topping and finishing the dessert. While you'll need to wait at least three hours, this raspberry treat will be worth your time, especially topped with whipped cream.
Molded Orange Salad
Orange gelatin salad packs a punch of flavor and couldn’t be easier to make. The recipe incorporates orange gelatin, crushed pineapple, and mandarins and puts a twist on other molded salads by adding orange sherbet to the party.
Molded salads don’t need many garnishes because they have a beautiful, shiny finish, but you could always serve with fresh mandarins or a dash of lemon or orange zest. Enjoy!
