Description
Easy Layered Christmas Jello is a chilled, no-bake dessert that features vibrant red and green gelatin layers with a creamy whipped center, making it perfect for holiday gatherings. I love making it with cherry gelatin, lime gelatin, and stabilized whipped topping for a festive color contrast and nostalgic flavor. It’s a simple recipe that holds together beautifully, with bright flavors and eye-catching presentation. This layered jello—sometimes called holiday jello squares or stabilized jello delight—is one I’ve tested in both classic casserole form and individual cups for parties, and both work beautifully. Among other Christmas desserts, Easy Layered Christmas Jello stands out because it’s easy to make ahead, visually stunning, and universally loved by kids and adults alike. Built with a red gelatin-fruit base, a creamy whipped layer, and a tangy lime top, it surprises guests with its joyful look while fitting perfectly on any holiday dessert table. I always serve it chilled and topped with whipped cream, a cherry, and a mint leaf. This deserves a spot in your Christmas recipe rotation!
Ingredients
2 boxes cherry flavored gelatin (3 oz each)
1 box lime flavored gelatin (3 oz)
2 cups boiling water (for cherry gelatin)
1 cup boiling water (for lime gelatin)
1 can fruit cocktail or halved maraschino cherries, drained
1 container stabilized whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Additional whipped topping, for garnish
Cherries and mint leaves, for topping
Instructions
1. Dissolve cherry gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved.
2. Stir in fruit cocktail or halved maraschino cherries.
3. Pour into a 9×13 glass dish and refrigerate until fully set (about 2 hours).
4. Once the cherry layer is firm, gently spread a layer of whipped topping evenly over the surface.
5. Chill again for 30 minutes to firm up the whipped layer.
6. Dissolve lime gelatin in 1 cup boiling water and let cool slightly.
7. Slowly pour the lime gelatin over the back of a spoon onto the whipped topping layer to avoid disturbing it.
8. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until completely set.
9. Just before serving, pipe or spoon dollops of whipped topping on top of each square.
10. Garnish each piece with a cherry and mint leaf.
Notes
Make sure each layer is fully chilled before adding the next to prevent mixing.
Use a butter knife dipped in warm water to slice clean, sharp squares.
Clear out space in the fridge ahead of time to avoid spills and tilting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Christmas Jello, Holiday Dessert, Layered Jello