These 4th of July Layered Jello desserts are sure to be the hit of the party!! A total crowd pleaser, make these kiddie friendly then make another batch for the grown ups by turning these into VODKA JELLO desserts!
Every time I make Jello, I wonder why I don’t make it more often. I always associated Jello with kids, but the truth is that the minute I take one bite, I can’t stop myself from scoffing down the whole thing.
AND I also noticed at the grocery store that there is LITE Jello! How did I not know this?? It’s practically zero calorie! I would have loved to make these guilt-free treats but I couldn’t find blue LITE Jello. Bugger!
I love the spirit of America for 4th of July! I live in Australia and we don’t have any public holiday that inspires quite as much patriotism as 4th of July does. My friends in the States are always bugging me to go over to see the celebrations and every year, I just miss it.
One day, I want to experience a real 4th of July IN the States!!
My readers always ask me for easy 4th of July dessert ideas around this time each year and I always forget. So I’m super excited to have had this opportunity to create something for Spend With Pennies.
The beauty of these Jello desserts are that you can make them kid friendly OR you can add a fun twist by turning them into vodka Jellos! It’s super easy – just switch out 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of vodka. Or gin. Whatever takes your fancy. :-)
I only add vodka to the red and blue layers because the middle layer is made with condensed milk and I wasn’t sure about adding vodka to that. I’d love to know if you try though! Or perhaps another type of liquor? :-)
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!
You can use any flavors of Jell-o to get the colors you’re looking for, we’ve used cherry Jell-o for the red layer and a blue raspberry for the blue layer. For those of you not familiar with the unflavored Gelatin, you can find it next to the regular Jell-o packages in the grocery store (or get it on Amazon, I use Knox brand).
Super Easy Patriotic 4th of July Layered Jello
Ingredients
- 1 package red Jello
- 1 package blue Jello
- 1 package unflavored Gelatin
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup vodka optional (if making "Vodka Jello)
- Whipped cream and silver balls for decorating if desired
Instructions
- Place red Jello in a jug and add 1 cup of boiled water. Stir until crystals are dissolved. Add 3/4 cup cold water. Divide between cups (I used 8 small glasses of varying sizes and shapes).
- Refrigerate for 1 hour until mostly set.
- Sprinkle unflavoured gelatine over ¼ cup of cold water, let stand for 1 minute. Add ¼ cup boiled water and stir until granules are dissolved. Add sweetened condensed milk and stir until smooth, then divide between glasses. Refrigerate 1 hour or until almost set.
- Make blue Jello following steps #1. Divide between glasses then refrigerate until fully set.
- Garnish with whipped cream and silver balls if desired, and serve!
- VODKA VERSION: Reduce water by ½ cup for the red and blue jello, and replace with vodka.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert
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I’m confused about how much unflavored gelatin to add. My little box came with 4 little bags inside so do I use all 4 to make 1 oz total or just .25 oz? Looks really yummy, though!
You would need just one packet within the box. Enjoy the recipe!
I am happy with how this recipe turned out. It is a labor of love. One suggestion – there are no sizes on the ingredients. I bought 2 large boxes of jello to be on the safe side but once I started making the recipe and comparing the water in the recipe against the jello box cups of water I realized small 1oz boxes of jello would have been all that was needed.
Agreed! Specific measurements would be more helpful. I had the same issue with the Jell-O, but also the unflavored gelatin & milk. Different brands have different amounts. Cans are not uniformly sized & there was 4 packs of unflavored gelatin in one box.
A little helpful tip so you don’t avoid mixed/oozy layers… with each new layer you add, starting with the milk layer, then again with the blue layer… you should let the new layers dissolved mixture come to a very ‘cooled’ room temperature before pouring onto the chilled previous layer… this will create a flawless, perfect layering technique without the possibility of any whoopsie-doopsies!
Great tip Clay! Thank you!
Love this dessert! Perfect for the kids at the 4th of July picnics.
I may have missed it, but when do you add the 1 cup milk?
The can of sweetened condensed milk is added in step 3.
These are definitely a step up from the Jello shots I had in college ;) These will be perfect for backyard BBQ’s next week!
Enjoy Megan!!
These layered desserts look so good! Really cute too. My family is going to love them since they are big July 4th fans!!
These look so fun! I don’t think I have had jello since I was a kid.
These are super cute and perfect for the upcoming holiday! I love the idea of adding vodka to turn them into Jell-o shots.
So festive! Looks so fun. :)