20+ Easy Jello Dessert Recipes (2024)

These easy jello recipes are just the thing to satisfy your sweet tooth.

By: The Editors of RecipeLion.com

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20+ Easy Jello Dessert Recipes (1)

There was a time when Jell-O only conjured up images of hospital food trays and senior care centers. Today, home cooks and food lovers alike use Jell-O for so many easy recipes - from pies and cakes to dessert salads and cookies. This collection includes 23 of our favorite Jell-O dessert recipes, perfect for spring and summer parties.

We've included easy Jell-O cakes, pies, and other desserts in all kinds of delicious fruity flavors from orange creamsicle to strawberry and cherry limeade. No matter what Jell-O flavor is your favorite, you're sure to find something to love below. While these desserts certainly scream, "summer," there's really no one time to enjoy Jell-O if you're in the mood. When your food is as colorful as the rainbow, the possibilities often are too. Enjoy these easy jello recipes any day of the year for some fun and sweet nostalgia you can share with the whole family.

Table of Contents

  • Jell-O Salad Recipes
  • Jell-O Cakes and Pies
  • Other Tasty Jell-O Recipes

Jell-O Salad Recipes

Jell-O salad is a classic barbecue and potluck dish, and it's easy to see why!

There's something irresistible about a fruity blend of sweet Jell-O, whipped topping, and other goodies. Whether you're going for a smooth fluffy dessert, like Grandma Polly's Pink Stuff (shown here), or a layered Jell-O salad like this one, you really can't go wrong!

We've gathered a list of our favorite Jell-O salad recipes here for you to enjoy. Whether you're making these for a group or just for your household, you can be sure that everyone will be smiling.

Another thing we love about Jell-O salad is that it's really easy to make! You usually only need a few ingredients and then some time to let it chill in the fridge. It's the perfect summertime treat, and we're thrilled to be sharing these easy desserts with you.

Whipped Cream Raspberry Pretzel Salad

This delicious layered Jell-O pretzel salad is the perfect recipe to enjoy after a delicious meal! It's light and fruity, with an irresistible buttery pretzel crust.

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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

If you're a fan of strawberry pretzel salad recipes, then you're going to love this version. It's super easy to make, and it's packed with strawberry flavor!

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5-Minute Watergate Salad

Watergate salad is one of our favorite things to order at the deli counter. And now you can make a delicious version at home! This creamy Jell-O dessert is perfect for the summertime.

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Mom's Easy Orange Jello Salad

Orange Jell-O is such a great match with whipped topping. It basically tastes like a creamsicle! So, it's good that this recipe is easy, because you're going to want to make it all the time.

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Perfect Strawberry Jello Salad

This pretty strawberry Jell-O mold might look really fancy, but we're here to tell you that it actually comes together in a flash. All you need to do is allow time for it to chill, and you'll have a beautiful dessert with minimal effort!

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Pistachio Pudding Jello Salad

This easy pistachio jello is a perfect dessert to bring for a potluck and it's super easy to make. If you love pistachio desserts, check out this delicious version of your favorite flavor.

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Jell-O Cakes and Pies

Jell-O is such a versatile ingredient. It actually tastes delicious and adds tons of flavor to baked goods like cake and pie!

These delicious Jell-O cake recipes are easy to make, and they're full of sweet-and-tangy fruity flavor. You'll wonder why you never added Jell-O to a cake recipe before!

We also love the creativity in these recipes. Many of the cake recipes are have delicious toppings or add-ins that go perfectly with the fruity cake flavor.

This Strawberry Shortcake Cream Cake, for example, combines the lush texture of a whipped Jell-O salad with the sweet and crisp flavors of shortcake. The result is a desser that you will want to make again and again.

Try one of these amazing Jell-O dessert recipes this week!

Heavenly Banana Cream Eclair Pie

If you like banana cream pie, then you're going to love this version. It's rich, creamy, and full of banana flavor. It's the perfect retro dessert for a special occasion!

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Shirley Temple Poke Cake

This poke cake recipe is inspired by the flavors in the Shirley Temple drink. Our theory was that 7-Up and cherry flavors always taste great together, and we're happy to say that we were right!

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Frozen Orange Creamsicle Cake

We can't believe how amazing this dessert looks, and we know that anyone you make it for will feel the same way. The layers of Jell-O fluff look simply stunning!

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Summer Strawberry Cake Mix Cake

Strawberry desserts just say "summertime" to us, and this cake is a perfect example. It's fresh, fruity, and made for eating at a picnic table on a beautiful summer day!

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Raspberry Cream Jello Poke Cake

Look at how pretty this dessert is! It's so simple to make, and yet it looks crazy impressive. If you bring this one to a barbecue, get ready to be asked for the recipe.

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Other Tasty Jell-O Recipes

Finally, we'd like to share some additional creative Jell-O recipes! These delicious desserts are easy to make, and they're full of vibrant fruity flavor.

From delicious Jell-O cookies to this Cherry Limeade Layered Mousse, these recipes are sure to put a smile on your face.

You'll be surprised by some of the genius solutions that our favorite bloggers, and our test kitchen, have some up with!

4-Ingredient Cranberry Fluff

This light-and-delicious Jell-O dessert isn't just for Christmas! When an ingredient list is only 4 items long, we think that's the perfect excuse to make that recipe as often as possible.

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1950s Magic Jell-O Dessert

This retro dessert will bring a little of the magic of yesteryear into your kitchen! The colors in this Jell-O dessert are very groovy, and the flavors are even better.

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Creamsicle Jell-O Mold

We've featured creamsicle recipes a few times in this list so far, and it's because they are just that good! This version looks so pretty in its mold shape. It's perfect for impressing dinner guests.

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Jello Cookies

Who knew you could make cookies using Jell-O? This adorable recipe is sweet and flavorful, and it's also ready in literally 20 minutes. So simple!

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Mermaid Tail Jell-O Cups

If you (or someone you know) is still into the mermaid trend, then these Jell-O cups are the perfect dessert. We love how creative this recipe is, and it also tastes fantastic!

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Amazing Jello Fruit Roll Ups

Did you know you can make fruit roll ups at home? You can! This clever Jell-O dessert uses fresh fruit to create a snack that is light, flavorful, and perfect for all ages.

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Stained Glass Jello

How pretty is this recipe? We love the colors in this Stained Glass Jell-O, and we know it will impress anyone you serve it to.

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Red, White, and Blue Jell-O Parfaits

Jell-O is a great ingredient for making themed desserts, because it comes in so many different colors. In this case, you can make a beautiful dessert inspired by the stars and stripes. What a smart idea!

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Lemon Sugar Cookie Recipe

We're such a fan of Jell-O cookies that we couldn't end this list without sharing another one. If you like lemon desserts, then you are going to love these delicious cookies!

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Cherry co*ke Jello

If you're looking for an easy dessert recipe for the summer, this is it! The delicious flavor of cherry co*ke and the fun finger food everyone loves make this the perfect dessert.

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Up Next:

Our Best Easy Cake Recipes

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20+ Easy Jello Dessert Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to make Jell-O better? ›

It's important to use the right amount of water, as using too much or too little can affect the taste and texture of the Jell-O. Additionally, you can add fruit, whipped cream, or other ingredients to enhance the flavor.

Is sugar free Jell-O a good dessert? ›

Sugar-free Jell-O is low in calories, but it is usually made with artificial sweeteners, which can be unhealthy in large quantities. It also does not provide any vitamins or minerals, which are essential for good health. If you enjoy Jell-O, it is best to eat it in moderation and supplement it with other healthy foods.

How to make packaged Jell-O? ›

Whisk together 1 cup of hot water with 1 packet of jello in a large bowl. Add 1 cup of cold water to the mixture and whisk it in. Pour the mixture into a jello mold and add some fruit, if desired. Let the jello set in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, then serve.

What is the ratio of Jell-O to water? ›

The Right Amount of Gelatin to Use

Soft Set: Use 1 teaspoon of unflavored powdered gelatin for 1 cup of liquid. Medium Set: Use 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin for 1 cup of liquid. Firm Set: Use 1 tablespoon of unflavored powdered gelatin for 1 cup of liquid.

Why is Jell-O no longer popular? ›

Jell-O shifted to single-serve cups and more convenient options as competition for snacks and desserts grew. Kraft in the early 2000's shifted the focus of Jell-O's advertising away from kids and toward adults. It pitched sugar-free Jell-O, for example, as a treat for Atkins dieters.

Can you make jello with milk instead of water? ›

The milk jello will, however, be a little less creamy if you use lowfat or nonfat evaporated milk. Heavy whipping cream – adds to the creaminess and also helps keep the carbs down in the recipe.

Is it OK to eat a lot of sugar-free Jell-O? ›

As discussed earlier, Jello often has artificial sweeteners like aspartame. These can lead to inflammation, cell damage, and possible brain issues. Sugar-free Jello should be eaten carefully, as too much might increase these health risks.

Does eating Jell-O have any benefits? ›

Gelatin is a protein that may promote skin, joint, hair, nail, and gut health. It also provides essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which can provide potent health benefits. The protein and amino acids in gelatin can help the body build more collagen, a vital element in healthy skin.

Can you eat too much Jell-O? ›

Gelatin has no side effects when consumed in moderation. However, eating gelatin in large quantities could lead to oral issues like mouth sores. Some people also experience an upset stomach after too much gelatin, although it's uncommon. However, eating commercial gelatin preparations may increase the risk.

How to make Jello instant pudding? ›

For pudding:. Add 2 tablespoons dry mix to 1/2 cup cold milk. Either shake or stir the two ingredients together. Chill until firm (about five minutes).

How to make Jello sweeter? ›

For a sweeter result, you can replace the boiled water with an extra 1/2 cup of juice that has been heated to a boil in a small saucepan. (So you'd use 4 cups juice in total.)

What happens if you don't use cold water for Jello? ›

The boiling water is important because it helps to fully dissolve the Jello powder and ensures that it will set properly. On the other hand, if you were to use only cold water, it would not dissolve the Jello powder as effectively and could result in a mixture that doesn't set properly or has lumps in it.

What happens if you put too much liquid in Jello? ›

Too much liquid will make it soupy. The ideal ratio of gelatin to liquid is 2 tablespoons (1 envelope) of gelatin per cup of liquid. With this ratio, the gelatin will thicken the liquid, but it will still be smooth and easy to eat.

Does eating jello count as drinking water? ›

First, I'll answer your question, YES, the water in Jello does count towards your water intake, and so does water in anything else you consume such as foods, edibles, and beverages. Some more than others but there's usually a considerable net gain in water consumption in beverages considered diuretics.

How do you make Jello stronger? ›

The gelatin made with salt was stronger than the powdered milk but not as sturdy as the sugar. The average weight sugar was able to hold was 40.95 grams. Overall, sugar was the additive that created the sturdiest gelatin.

Why do you add cold water to Jello? ›

In conclusion, the science behind gelatin's need for cold water when mixing is all about preserving its unique gelling properties. By hydrating the gelatin in cold water first, you can ensure a smooth, lump-free solution that will form a perfect gel upon cooling.

How to speed up Jell-O? ›

Tips for Making Jello Set Faster

If you want to speed up the jello setting process, the effective way is to put your plastic serving bowl of gelatin jello mix in ice-cold water. Then, stir the bowl in the cold water and ensure the water doesn't get inside the container while dipping it in water.

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