Kid favorite straight ahead 
Inspired by The Food Librarian’s Valentine Jello, I created a 4th of July version: 6 layers of Red White and Blue Finger Jello. Remember those popular little treats called Knox Blox (back in the day?) These are similar, though not quite as firm. The white layer isn’t actually a jello layer at all, but rather a “milk” layer created by mixing sweetened condensed milk with gelatin & water. If you’re lucky enough to find Pina Colada Jell-O (which they do carry sometimes), then you can use that in place of the milk Jello layer if you’d like. The milky layer though is rather sweet, and turns out to be a yummy layer to add to the fruity flavors.
Here’s the How To:
Follow recipe instructions for making the red jello layer. Pour it into a 9×13 pyrex pan & refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up the 1st layer. It’s important that you test out your fridge to make sure that the shelf you’ll be using is FLAT and level. If it’s tilted in any way, you’ll get a tilted-looking pattern for your Jell-O!
The white/milky layer comes next… it’s poured onto the firmed up red layer. Back to the fridge for another 15 minutes.
Blue jello is poured on next, and then YEP… back to the fridge.
Red again and then… you get the idea, right?
Let the whole thing set up until firm. Then you’re ready to cut. I made mine in the morning and then cut into it a couple of hours after the last layer set.
The only tricky part I found with this recipe is finding a way to get the jello out of the pan intact. I cut all around the sides & cut the whole thing into squares, and then used a sharp metal spatula to scoop underneath and did my best to slide out the squares so the bottom layer wouldn’t get messed up. Most of them came out just fine (with a few scraps for tasting). Then my friend made the recipe and had great success with spraying a small amount of cooking spray on the bottom of the pan. She had no trouble at all getting the jello out (why the heck didn’t I think of that?) I also cut one square larger and used a star cookie cutter to cut out a fun shape for the middle of my platter. If you turn some of the squares upside down then your platter will have some red and some blue… makes for a prettier display!
The kids at our bbq LOVED these. I put the platter on the counter, went outside for a few minutes, and when I came back inside they were completely gone. The kids liked peeling them apart, and I think they were genuinely intrigued with all of the layers involved. Mom’s were asking me for the recipe too. If you have kids around on the 4th, this is a good one to make.
This recipe can be found HERE.
—————————————————————
Other fun Jell-O recipes on the blogs:
The Food Librarian: Broken Glass Jello
Use Real Butter: Margarita Jello
Delicious Days: Cubed Coffee (Espresso Jello)
Eating Out Loud: Coconut- Mango Jello
Do Better: Rainbow Jello
42 Comments
Wow these are great, thanks for the great idea!
[Reply]
Aww that reminds me of my childhood and visiting my aunt. And I can’t believe it’s almost 4th of July!! It doesn’t even feel like summer yet!
[Reply]
I think the kid in all of us, will like this!! Super idea, thx so much!!!
[Reply]
This looks like so much FUN!!!!!! I need to find some natural food coloring, what do you recommend? I am so sorry I missed some of your posts recently = (
[Reply]
RecipeGirl Reply:
June 18th, 2009 at 5:10 AM
Hi Girl Japan, no food coloring was used~ just flavored gelatin!
[Reply]
HOW FUN!!!! They are perfectly layered, too. Great job.
[Reply]
I would like this myself. I love the layers and colors!! I think I need to try!
)
[Reply]
Who knew jell-o could be so cute? I love this idea.
[Reply]
Perfect for the upcoming holidays! I usually do a red/white/blue jello thing in a trifle dish with strawberries and blueberries, but I think that just got usurped.
[Reply]
That looks fantastic! The colours reminds me of the red, white and blue posters that come out round election time!
[Reply]
What a fun idea! I remember seeing layered jello before, but never knew how it was done. Love your step-by-step instructions!
[Reply]
I love these! That white layer looks so pretty and I bet it is good with the jello! I’m sure my big kid would love these! Great instructions, too. Thanks.
[Reply]
These finger treats look very festive and tasty!
[Reply]
I am totally going to make that for my kids!
I loved “knox blox” growing up. And it’s so much healthier/less calories than ice cream.
I didn’t even know they had pina colada jello, I will try to find that too.
Thanks for sharing the recipe, yours turned out great!
[Reply]
Ready for the 4th of July, are we? Fun!
[Reply]
Incredible beautiful!! They seem like coloured-glass pieces but totally edible, a gorgeous work Lori
Cheers!
Gera
[Reply]
This is beautiful!
[Reply]
Amazing, Lori! You have such patience and it paid off.
[Reply]
Add booze = GOOD TIMES!
[Reply]
This looks like fun! I love your “pouring” pictures!
[Reply]
Do we have to wait til the 4th to conjure up such a delight? I do believe even I can attempt to put this together. Your instructions are clean-cut and easy to understand. Thanks for that, Lori. Ya know, I’m having an online picnic at my blog which began today in celebration of Picnic Day. I sure wish you would consider “bringing” these childhood delights. We’re playing the Picnic Game. “I’m going on a picnic & I’m bringing…” There may even be a “dish” of Haute Jell-O there…Thanks for sharing…
[Reply]
AWESOME! I’m so glad you made this! I’m thinking of making red, white and blue jello for the 4th. It’s a perfect combo! I love those step-by-step pouring photos!
And I’m soo happy everyone loved them! How could you not?!
[Reply]
My friend makes this and it’s delicious. The kids love it.
[Reply]
Pretty!
[Reply]
wow, the colors. was attracted to this recipe because of the colors. i’ll try it. thanks for the post
[Reply]
LOVE it. I’ve been making this jello for a number of years. My friend “taught” me. She does a 12 layer one! Everyone loves it. I love your spirited colors! I did reds, pinks and whites for Valentines. The possibilities are endless. So fun!
[Reply]
I love it! Such fun for kids- actually for everyone!
[Reply]
Stunning and festive!
[Reply]
This looks soo cool! I’m gonna make these NOW!
[Reply]
RG,
I saw these on tastespotting and had to comment.
They are pieces of art!
[Reply]
Lori, I bet it made a beautiful presentation. The colors are wonderful. And to think that you can adjust the flavors (colors) of jello to suit any occassion is such a cool idea. Thank you my friend.
[Reply]
Oh, then consider me a kid as well! Love gelatin desserts! Here we use either almond jelly with milk for the white or plain sweetened milk jelly
[Reply]
Oh, man, wow! Your kids must be happy. My son would have loved it if I made anything like that.
[Reply]
Wow you are inspired. My kids would love this.
[Reply]
It looks so cool and pretty!
Thanks for sharing
[Reply]
How cool! You’ve elevated jello to a whole new level!
[Reply]
They look so cute and yummy! I am sure this will be a huge fave around the house. And it really does look intriguing.
[Reply]
Oh this just looks like a masterpiece, so whimsical! I can’t believe it looks this easy to make!
Also, I meant to thank you for your prune-banana bread, I made it with fantastic results at home: no butter and no sugar, I couldn’t believe it was that delicious!
[Reply]
Looks amazing. not a jello person, but I’m sure my daughters will love this one.
[Reply]
This is totally bitchin’!!!! I love it!
[Reply]
I love the look of these but my kiddos just don’t care for jello. They are weird like that.
) They aren’t into “kid friendly” foods.
~ingrid
[Reply]
I made this, but instead of usig condensed milk, I used cream of coconut. YUMMY!
[Reply]
I wish I caught this recipe over the summer.
Instead, I’m going to change the blue to green and try this for Christmas. I’m also going to put a light layer of coolwhip on the top.
[Reply]