Patriotic jello is my go-to dessert for summer celebrations. I love how the red, white, and blue layers pop. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients. This colorful treat is perfect for July 4th or Memorial Day.
Contents
Patriotic Jello Recipe
Patriotic Jello is a festive gelatin dessert with the layers of red, white, and blue gelatin. It’s often served at celebrations like Memorial Day, Independence Day (4th of July), and Labor Day.
You can serve the jello in crystal glasses for an elegant touch or in plastic cups for kids’ parties. For larger gatherings, use a 9×13 dish for easy slicing, or cut it into fun shapes like stars with cookie cutters.
This treat goes great with whipped topping, fresh berries like strawberries and blueberries, or BBQ dishes like hamburgers and potato salad. It also pairs well with berry pies, red, vanilla ice cream, finger jello, and fruit cups.
These desserts are popular for potlucks, gatherings, BBQs, and holiday parties. They are colorful, easy to make in advance, and appeal to both kids and adults.
Here’s how to make the patriotic jello for the summer celebrations:
Patriotic Jello Cups
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 box (3 oz) cherry Jello or strawberry jello
- 1 box (3 oz) blueberry Jello
- 1 cup boiling water for each Jello layer
- 1 cup cold water for each Jello layer
- 8 oz whipped topping (like Cool Whip) thawed
- Fresh berries, strawberries, blueberries, sprinkles optional
Instructions
Make the Blue Layer
- In a bowl, mix blue Jello with 1 cup boiling water, stir until dissolved.
- Stir in 1 cup cold water.
- Divide evenly among 8 clear cups (about ⅓ full).
- Chill in fridge for 1 hour, or until firm.
Add the White Layer
- Spoon a layer of thawed whipped topping over the set blue layer. Smooth gently.
- Chill for 30 minutes to help it firm up a bit.
Make the Red Layer
- Mix cherry Jello with 1 cup boiling water, stir until dissolved.
- Stir in 1 cup cold water.
- Gently pour the red Jello over the whipped topping (tip: use the back of a spoon to pour slowly and avoid mixing).
- Chill until completely set, at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, top the jello with whipped cream and garnish with patriotic sprinkles (if desired)
Notes
- Freeze the whipped topping for 5–10 minutes before using. It spreads easier and sets faster!
- Mix 1 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt with 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin + ½ cup hot water for a creamy white layer.
- Use coconut-based whipped topping for a dairy-free version.
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Variations
There are many versions of the Patriotic Jello. Here are some suggestions:
- Condensed Milk “White” Layer Version adds a creamy texture contrast to the fruity gelatin layers.
- Star-shaped Jello cut into shapes using cookie cutters. This adds a fun, festive touch, especially for kids. Broken Glass or Mosaic Jello creates a stained-glass effect that is visually striking and patriotic. Red and blue gelatin are made separately, cut into cubes or shards, and then suspended in a white gelatin or creamy base.
- Jello Salads with Fresh Fruits incorporate fresh fruit like strawberries and blueberries layered or mixed into the gelatin for added texture, flavor, and natural color. These fruit-enhanced Jello salads are popular for picnics and barbecues.
- Jello Shots and Adult Versions add vodka or other spirits to the gelatin layers. These maintain the red, white, and blue theme but add an adult twist for parties.