Red White and Blue Jello

Patriotic jello with red, white, and blue layers.

Red White and Blue Jello is a fun dessert to make for the 4th of July. This layered jello recipe is easy, festive, and delicious. You'll love the patriotic colors in this finger food, aka Jello Jigglers or Knox Blocks.

Author Amber Brady

Prep Time 10

Chill Time 3 30

Total Time 3 40

Yields squares

Ingredients

6 oz (170 g) Berry Blue Jell-o, (get 2 small boxes)
6 oz (170 g) Strawberry Jell-o, (get 2 small boxes)
1 oz (7.2 g) unflavored gelatin, (4 envelopes) Knox
14 oz (396 g) can sweetened condensed milk
6 cups (1420 ml) boiling water, divided

Instructions

NOTE: Prepare the next layer of jello immediately after placing the previous layer in the fridge to set, so it has time to cool down slightly. (Lukewarm to touch.)

FOR THE BLUE JELLO:

In a large bowl, whisk together one box of Berry Blue Jello with 1/2 a packet of unflavored gelatin (about 1 1/2 teaspoons or 1/2 Tablespoon). Add 1 cup of boiling water and whisk until dissolved.
Pour into a clean and dry 13×9-inch clear glass pan. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or until gelatin is set.

FOR THE WHITE JELLO: (NOTE: This mixture will be divided into thirds, about 1 cup each.)

In a large, 4-cup, microwave-safe measuring cup, whisk together 2 packets of unflavored gelatin and 2 cups of boiling water until dissolved.
Add one can of sweetened condensed milk and whisk to combine. Allow mixture to cool to lukewarm temperature, while previous layer sets.
Gently pour 1-cup of the white jello over the blue layer. Set remaining white mixture aside. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or until gelatin is set. (PRO TIP: Pour slowly and close to the set jello, or pour the mixture over the back of a spoon so it spreads out as it pours and doesn’t drill a hole into the previous layer.)

FOR THE RED JELLO:

In a large bowl, whisk together one box of Strawberry Jello with 1/2 a packet of unflavored gelatin (about 1 1/2 teaspoons or 1/2 Tablespoon).
Add 1 cup of boiling water and whisk until dissolved. Allow mixture to cool to lukewarm temperature while white layer sets.
Gently pour the red jello over the white layer. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or until gelatin is set.

REPEAT PROCESS LAYERING THE JELLO WITH A LAYER OF WHITE IN BETWEEN EACH COLOR:

Blue (bottom)
White
Red
White
Blue
White
Red (top)
After all layers have been poured and chilled long enough in the fridge to set up, run a thin (non-serrated) knife around the edge of the pan and cut the red white and blue jello into 6x8 rows -- for 48 jello squares. Remove the patriotic jello with a serving spatula. Keep layered jello covered in the refrigerator up to 7-10 days.

Notes

Always pour the boiling water into the gelatin powder while whisking (not sprinkling the gelatin powder into the boiling water -- especially the unflavored gelatin) to ensure the mixture dissolves completely, without lumps.
Prepare the next layer of jello immediately after placing the previous layer in the fridge to set, so it has time to cool down slightly. (Lukewarm to touch.)

May need to nuke the white jello mixture for 15-20 seconds in the microwave if it starts to set up in the measuring cup. (Most likely on the 3rd/last white layer.)
May use a tea kettle or heat water in the microwave for boiling water.
Be sure to chill jello on a level shelf in your fridge for even layers.

Nutrition