If you're looking for a unique dessert idea, try making your own rainbow Jello. Although it takes a lot of time, the process of making this dessert is very simple, and the result will look very lively and appealing to both children and adults. All you have to do is coat different colors of Jello on the cake pan, wait for it to harden, then cut it into squares, and serve it to your guests!
Ingredients
- 1 box of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple Jello, size 84 grams
- 1-2 cups whipped topping (optional)
- 1 tube plain unflavored gelatin, 450 grams (optional)
- 1-2 cans of sweetened condensed milk, 400 ml (optional)
Recipe for Jello size 23 x 33 cm (9 people serving)
Step
Part 1 of 2: Making Jello
Step 1. Prepare some Jello squares in different colors
To make a real rainbow, you will need 1 box each of 84 grams of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple Jello. However, you are free to use any color and order you want.
- You may need to double or triple the amount of Jello you purchased and use a larger pan if you plan to prepare dessert for a large number of people. You can also reduce the portion of the recipe by using only part of the contents of each box of Jello.
- Rainbow jello is not only a lively and delicious dessert, it's also inexpensive. This recipe shouldn't cost you more than a few tens of thousands of dollars!
Tip:
Look for interesting flavor alternatives for each color. For example, you could use watermelon for the red instead of cherry, or pineapple instead of lemon for the yellow layer.
Step 2. Boil a pot of water
Fill the pitcher with water and boil it on the stove over medium-high heat. While the water is cooking, you can start opening Jello boxes and collecting supplies and other materials to use.
Jello is most soluble and hardens in boiling water. However, you can also use a hot water dispenser if you don't want to wait long for the water to boil
Step 3. Pour the first color of Jello into a medium sized bowl
Tear the Jello pack and pour the contents into the bottom of the bowl. To create a realistic rainbow in the order of the original colors, start with a red or purple Jello and work your way up the color spectrum.
Make sure the bowl you use is large enough to hold 470 ml of water along with the Jello powder. This allows you to mix ingredients more easily
Step 4. Add 250 ml of boiling water and mix well
Use a spoon or an egg beater to mix the hot water and jello powder until evenly distributed. When stirred, the powder will dissolve and form a watery, colorless liquid. Check to make sure there are no bubbles, lumps, or air pockets in your liquid Jello mixture.
- Pour the hot water into the measuring cup before putting it in the bowl to make sure you're using the right amount.
- Allow the Jello mixture to cool for 3-5 minutes before continuing.
Step 5. Add additional 180-250 ml of cold water and stir
When you add cold water, the liquid Jello mixture will begin to thicken. Keep stirring until the Jello is completely mixed with this second cold water.
- You can also put some ice cubes in cold water to make the Jello harden faster. If you do decide to do this, be sure to use only 180 ml of water in anticipation of additional volume.
- Be careful not to add too much water as this will affect the taste and texture of the Jello.
Part 2 of 2: Layering and Cooling the Jello
Step 1. Transfer the melted Jello to a casserole dish or lined cake pan
Pour the mixture into the container slowly so it doesn't fall apart. This is your first layer of Jello. For best results, choose a 23 x 33 cm baking dish so that each layer can be 1-2.5 cm thick.
- You can also pour Jello into a drinking glass, parfait cup, or other small container to make one serving that doesn't need to be cut. For this recipe, you will need 12-15 individual containers.
- Be sure to use a clean bowl or rinse the bowl you used to mix the Jello thoroughly, so the colors don't blend into each other.
Step 2. Chill the first layer of Jello in the refrigerator for 25-30 minutes
Place the casserole dish or cake pan on one of the top shelves in the refrigerator so you can keep an eye on it. Make sure the selected shelf is completely flat so that the Jello layer is perfectly even.
- You don't have to wait until the Jello hardens completely. You just have to wait for the Jello layer to solidify enough so that the next layer can be poured over it and the colors don't mix.
- If the plate or pan is placed on a sloping rack, the Jello layer can be thicker on one side and thinner on the other, which will spoil the Jello rainbow look.
Step 3. Apply whipped topping between each layer if you want to add contrast
If you want, you can apply 450-700 ml of whipped cream to each layer of Jello once it has hardened. This trick will make the rainbow colors stand out even more and result in a sweeter and softer dish.
- For efficiency, use a tube-type whipped topping instead of a spray.
- You can also use plain, unflavored gelatin to create a white coating that blends better with the Jello. Mix 55 grams of gelatin with 120 ml of sweetened condensed milk, 120 ml of hot water, and 120 ml of cold water to make one layer. Allow each layer to harden for 20-30 minutes before adding the next color.
Step 4. Repeat the process with another Jello color
Once the first layer of Jello has hardened, mix it with the next color and pour it directly over the first color or whipped cream layer. This process will be repeated for each color you want to include.
- Don't forget to alternate the whipped cream or white gelatin if you want to separate the layers of Jello.
- To save time, start mixing the next Jello color while the previous layer is chilling in the refrigerator.
- You can create as many layers as you want. A full rainbow has 6 layers of color, but you can stack up to 12, as long as the container is big enough or just use the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) to make a simple Jello.
Step 5. Put the Jello in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours until it hardens
Once you have all the layers stacked, cover the container with plastic wrap and return it to the refrigerator one last time. This time, let the Jello sit for the time stated in the instructions for use on the packaging.
You can also leave the finished rainbow jello in the refrigerator until it's ready to serve, as Jello needs to be kept cold anyway
Step 6. Cut the rainbow jello into squares before serving
Use a kitchen knife to cut the Jello into perfect squares. Try to cut the Jello into equal-sized squares so you don't get a thin, odd-shaped layer. Enjoy!
- If you are making Jello for an older child or adult, cut the Jello into 5-7.5 cm squares. For small children, give a portion size of 2.5-5 cm.
- Cover the leftover Jello and refrigerate it so it can last up to a week or more.
Tip:
Use cookie cutters to cut Jello into a variety of interesting shapes. Remove the edges of the Jello, or eat it alone when it's cooked.
Tips
- Add some real fruit in the Jello to make it more nutritious.
- If you are vegan, replace Jello with a plant-based gelatin, such as jelly, carrageenan, or vegetable gummy.
- Rainbow jello is perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, pool parties and other lively events.
- Don't beat too fast so the Jello won't get too soft or won't stand up properly.
