12 Layer Christmas Jello Salad Recipe (2024)

I love Christmas Dinner! One of my favorite things my mom would make when we were growing up is her famous 12 Layer Jello Salad. We would often have it for any holiday dinner or special occasions. This jello salad not only tastes amazing, but it looks awesome too! And the kids will LOVE it! Just give yourself a few hours to make! But so worth it!

Serves: 20

Serves: 20

12-Layer Christmas Jello Salad Recipe

One of my favorite things my mom would make when we were growing up is her famous 12 Layer Jello Salad. We would often have it for any holiday dinner or special occasions. This jello salad not only tastes amazing, but it looks awesome too!

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Ingredients

  • 3 ounces lime Jello 1 box
  • 3 ounces lemon Jello 1 box
  • 3 ounces orange Jello 1 box
  • 3 ounces strawberry Jello 1 box
  • 3 ounces raspberry Jello 1 box
  • 3 ounces black cherry Jello 1 box
  • 16 ounces sour cream
  • 8 ounces cool whip 1 tub
  • 1 cup water divided

Instructions

  • Take a glass measuring cup and fill it with 1 cup of water. Boil the water in the microwave. After it is done boiling add one box of jello and stir with a fork until dissolved. Layer the jello in order listed in the ingredients starting with the lime.

Pour the jello into 2 bowls with equal amounts in each bowl.

  • Add 1/3 cup sour cream to one bowl and mix well. Then add 3 Tablespoons of Cold water to the other bowl and mix well.

  • After both are mixed pour the “sour cream mixture” into a 9X13 pan and put in the fridge. Leave the “water mixture” on the counter.

  • It usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes for the first layer to set up. After it is set slowly spoon the “water mixture” that was on the counter over the cloudy layer in the 9X13 pan. Put it in back in the fridge to set up.

  • After that layer is set, begin steps 1 through 5 again with the next color. The refrigeration time between layers is a lot less after the first 2 layers because it is colder.

  • Once you have completed all the jello layers and they are all set, spread the cool whip over the top and put in the fridge until ready to serve.This jello can stay in the fridge for a few days, keep covered.

Notes

Tips:

1. This jello looks best in the order listed in the ingredients..lime, lemon, orange, strawberry, raspberry, and black cherry. Black cherry is difficult to find, so just get a flavor that is darker than the raspberry red color. Maybe grape or blackberry fusion.

2. I have tried making this jello in all the flavors of red… and it didn’t taste very good. Just FYI. 🙂

3. I have used Walmart Brand Jello and it just doesn’t set up quite the same. So I suggest paying a little bit more for the Jello brand.

Happy Cooking!!!

Nutrition

Calories: 150 kcal · Carbohydrates: 26 g · Protein: 3 g · Fat: 5 g · Saturated Fat: 3 g · Cholesterol: 14 mg · Sodium: 163 mg · Potassium: 46 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 21 g · Vitamin A: 161 IU · Vitamin C: 1 mg · Calcium: 39 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Equipment

Recipe Details

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Ingredients:

6 (3 oz) small boxes of Jello, use the following flavors/colors: lime, lemon, orange, strawberry, raspberry, black cherry
16 ounces sour cream

8 oz tub of cool whip

1 cup water, divided

Directions:

1. Take a glass measuring cup and fill it with 1 cup of water. Boil the water in the microwave. After it is done boiling add one box of jello and stir with a fork until dissolved. Layer the jello in order listed in the ingredients starting with the lime.

2. Pour the jello into 2 bowls with equal amounts in each bowl.

12 Layer Christmas Jello Salad Recipe (1)

3. Add 1/3 cup sour cream to one bowl and mix well. Then add 3 Tablespoons of Cold water to the other bowl and mix well.

12 Layer Christmas Jello Salad Recipe (2)

4. After both are mixed pour the “sour cream mixture” into a 9X13 pan and put in the fridge. Leave the “water mixture” on the counter.

5. It usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes for the first layer to set up. After it is set slowly spoon the “water mixture” that was on the counter over the cloudy layer in the 9X13 pan. Put it in back in the fridge to set up.

After that layer is set, begin steps 1 through 5 again with the next color. The refrigeration time between layers is a lot less after the first 2 layers because it is colder.

12 Layer Christmas Jello Salad Recipe (3)

Once you have completed all the jello layers and they are all set, spread the cool whip over the top and put in the fridge until ready to serve.

This jello can stay in the fridge for a few days, keep covered.

*just a couple of sidenotes*

1. This jello looks best in the order listed in the ingredients..lime, lemon, orange, strawberry, raspberry, and black cherry. Black cherry is difficult to find, so just get a flavor that is darker than the raspberry red color. Maybe grape or blackberry fusion.

2. I have tried making this jello in all the flavors of red… and it didn’t taste very good. Just FYI. 🙂

3. I have used Walmart Brand Jello and it just doesn’t set up quite the same. So I suggest paying a little bit more for the Jello brand.

Happy Cooking!!!

Here are some more great salad recipes!
5 Minute Jello Salad
Mandarin Orange Cookie Dessert Salad
Orange Fluff Jello Salad
Snicker Apple Pudding Salad
Barbecue Macaroni Salad

If you like our recipes then you will LOVE ourCookbook!!!

12 Layer Christmas Jello Salad Recipe (4)

Our cookbook makes a wonderful gift (and it’s priced right at less than $18!) . . . you can check it outHERE.

12 Layer Christmas Jello Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make Jell-O measurements? ›

Whisk together 1 cup of hot water with 1 packet of jello in a large bowl. Add 1 cup of cold water to the mixture and whisk it in. Pour the mixture into a jello mold and add some fruit, if desired. Let the jello set in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, then serve.

What is the ratio of Jell-O powder to water? ›

The 3 oz. box of Jell-O (that's 1/3 cup) uses 1 cup of boiling water and 1 cup of cold water.

What happened to Jello salads? ›

Jell-O even introduced savory flavors, like celery, mixed vegetable, and "Italian salad," during the 1960s. By the mid-1970s, though, their popularity had declined so much that they were pulled from shelves.

Will Jell-O stick to a metal pan? ›

Metal pans work better than glass or ceramic. I am not sure why, but the Jello Jigglers are less likely to stick to a metal pan. If they don't easily remove, let the pan warm up in a shallow dish of warm water for a few seconds OR just leave the pan out of the refrigerator for a little bit to let the pan warm.

What is the ratio of water to gelatin in Jell-O? ›

A good ratio is 1 tablespoon (9 grams) of powdered gelatin to 2 cups (500 ml) of liquid. Allow the gelatin to "bloom" or soak for about 5 minutes. The gelatin will absorb the liquid and become soft and spongy. Heat the mixture gently, stirring constantly, until the gelatin dissolves completely.

How much gelatin for 2 cups? ›

As a general rule of thumb, David Lebovitz outlines the gelatin to liquid ratio in this blog post: “1 envelope of gelatin will firmly set 2 cups of liquid, enough to unmold a dessert. 1 envelope of gelatin will softly set 3 cups of liquid. You will not be able to unmold this type of dessert.”

How do you measure Jello powder? ›

– One envelope of powdered gelatin (about 1/4 ounce) is about 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 teaspoons. -If the recipe calls for packets (ie; 2 packets), use packets of gelatin for measuring. -If the recipe calls for a specific amount (ie: 2 teaspoons gelatin), open the packets and measure the gelatin granules with a measuring spoon.

What happens if you put too much liquid in Jello? ›

Usually there is nothing you can do or need to do because it doesn't cause serious problems. The jam or jelly is still safe to eat. You might notice that your jam or jelly is weepy (liquid seeps out of the jell and forms a puddle) or that the jell is stiffer than normal.

Will Jello powder dissolve in cold water? ›

"Gelatin is relatively insoluble in cold water but hydrates readily in warm water. When added to cold water gelatin granules swell into discrete swollen particles absorbing 5-10 times their weight in water.

Why is Jell-O no longer popular? ›

With Jell-O salads becoming less popular, the brand looked for its next hit. But it had a problem: With the increase in women entering the workforce, families weren't sitting down for as many meals and eating dessert like they once did. And new, ready-to-eat foods were hitting the market that were more convenient.

What ruins Jell-O? ›

If you like making gelatin for dessert, the box often recommends not adding certain kinds of fruit, including pineapple, kiwi, mango, ginger root, papaya, figs or guava. People have a hard time getting the gelatin to solidify when they add these fruits.

Why do hospitals always serve Jell-O? ›

Why do hospitals serve so much Jell-O? There are a few reasons: Jell-O is easy to swallow and digest, making it suitable for patients who have difficulty eating solid foods or have digestive issues.

How do you keep jello from getting rubbery on the bottom? ›

In my experience, the best way to avoid it is to not pour the mixture into the dish/es until it is cooled to nearly room temperature and considerably thicker. While it's cooling, you can stir it periodically to prevent layering, and then it should set quickly enough that it won't separate.

Do I need to spray pan for Jello? ›

Spray your mold: Make sure you spray your mold—no matter what type you use—with cooking spray before filling. This will make removing the gelatin easier. Take your time: Multi-layer molds take time to create. Each layer needs to set for about 45 minutes before adding the next.

Why is my jello gritty? ›

If the gelatin does not completely dissolve, it may give your finished dish a gritty texture. To chill your prepared gelatin more quickly, stir it over an ice bath until it thickens before adding it to the mold.

How much gelatin for 4 cups of water? ›

Many panna cotta recipes call for 1-packet gelatin for 4 cups liquid, but it various. 1- packet of Knox gelatin equals 1 tablespoon. Always soften or “bloom” the gelatin.

How do you measure jello powder? ›

– One envelope of powdered gelatin (about 1/4 ounce) is about 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 teaspoons. -If the recipe calls for packets (ie; 2 packets), use packets of gelatin for measuring. -If the recipe calls for a specific amount (ie: 2 teaspoons gelatin), open the packets and measure the gelatin granules with a measuring spoon.

How many packets of gelatin are in a cup of liquid? ›

1 pouch is about 2 1/2 teaspoons (7g) unflavoured gelatine. If a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon, use 1 pouch of unflavoured gelatine. Each pouch will gel 2 cups (500mL) of liquid and up to 1 1/2 (375mL) cups of solids.

How much liquid does 1 tbsp gelatine set? ›

Cooking Tips. ¼ oz (1 tablespoon / 7g) of powdered Gelatin will firmly set 16oz (2 cups / 475ml) of liquid.

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