28 Simple Homemade Jell-O Recipes

A humble pack of Jell-O has so much potential to create a memorable dessert. From a Peach Bavarian to a Strawberry Parfait, or even cheesecake.

They can be created quickly too so if you are struggling with something for a party or potluck, grab a packet and boil up some water. 

In this guide, we will look at 28 simple homemade Jell-O recipes with a bonus section for some creative and colorful designs. 

Homemade Jell-O Recipes

1. Peaches And Cream Jell-O

Peaches and cream make a great combination and you can have it in Jell-O too. First, create your Peach Jell-O with ice cold water and pour it into a greased casserole dish to refrigerate until set.

Next up is your cream layer which is unflavored gelatin with boiling water, stirred until dissolved with ice cold water added.

Add condensed milk then stir until blended and allow to set at room temperature then pour onto the set Jell-O. 

The cream layer should only take around five minutes to set in the fridge so top with peach slices before fully set.

Create another layer of Peach Jell-O then allow it to sit at room temperature and pour over the peach slices, though make sure it is not warm. Leave to firm and serve up.   

2. Peach Bavarian

A classy dessert that will wow your guests does not have to take too much effort, like the Peach Bavarian (see also ‘33 Awesome Peach Desserts‘) .

Drain the peaches and chop them up but keep two-thirds of a cup of juice. In a bowl, dissolve the sugar and gelatin in boiling water then stir in the juice and chill until thickened.

Separately add almond extract to the whipped topping then fold into the gelatin mix with the peaches. Pour it all into an oiled mold, chill overnight and serve with a garnish of peaches. 

3. Jell-O Pie

Some pies do not require baking or an oven, which includes this Jell-O Pie. Whisk together a Jell-O mix with boiling water until dissolved then whisk in ice cold water until thickened.

Blend in whipped topping until you have a pastel color which you can refrigerate for around 15 minutes.

Create a pie crust from blitzed Graham crackers and melted butter to make a base layer in a greased pie plate. Pour in the gelatin mixture then refrigerate for at least four hours until set.

4. Truly Homemade Jell-O

Sure, you can make your own Jell-O without the artificial flavorings and colors you would find in the regular packages.

Bloom some grass-fed gelatin by sprinkling over fruit juice then whisking until smooth and thickened.

Whisk in boiling water, add more fruit juice and combine then pour the mixture into a lined or greased pan and leave to set for a couple of hours. Once firm, cut it up into bite-size pieces.

5. Pineapple Pretzel Salad

Pineapples and cream can be a great combination in summer but also during holidays.

Create a base layer in an ungreased baking dish of crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter then bake for ten minutes at 350°F (175°C) and leave to cool.

Meanwhile, create the topping by sprinkling gelatin over boiling water and stirring until dissolved.

Add crushed ice and stir that in until dissolved, press out the liquid from the pineapple slices and stir them in then refrigerate for around 15 minutes until partially set.

Combine whipped topping with sugar and cream cheese then beat until smooth and spread over the pretzel crust.

Spoon the gelatin mixture on top then chill overnight, or until firm. Cut into squares and garnish with more whipped topping.   

6. Orange Creamsicle Jell-O Whips

Orange Creamsicle Jell-O Whips are a quick and ludicrously sugar-free dessert. Create Orange Sugar-Free Jell-O to form a thickened Jell-O.

Blitz the Jell-O in a blender with yogurt then pour into glasses and chill for a couple of hours. 

7. Classic Blueberry Pie Jell-O Salad

That classic blueberry pie taste can be recreated using Jell-O and it’s far easier than baking. Create the filling by stirring Grape Jell-O into boiling water until dissolved then stir in ice cold water.

Add blueberry pie filling and drained pineapple, stir and pour into a large rectangular dish to chill for around four hours. 

The topping is just as easy. Beat together sour cream, softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth then spread on top of the filling.

Top with chopped pecans and leave in the refrigerator until serving time.

8. Jell-O Slushy

If you want to make something different with your Jell-O mix but keep the taste then make a slushy. Combine your favorite Jell-O mix with boiling water and stir until dissolved.

Throw in freshly squeezed lemon juice with juice or soda and freeze in a baking dish for around four hours. Scrape the mixture out into a glass and add more soda or juice before serving.

9. Raspberry Pretzel Jell-O

Pretzels make a great flavorful layer underneath Jell-O, especially in this Raspberry Pretzel Jell-O.

Crush pretzels and mix with melted butter and sugar in a saucepan then press into a baking dish to bake for ten minutes at 350°F (175°C).

Meanwhile, mix together Raspberry Jell-O with boiling water and leave to cool to room temperature. Now you can make the cream cheese layer by beating with sugar until combined and mixing in whipped topping. 

Spread the whipped topping over the pretzel layer and refrigerate for half an hour. Place raspberries over the partially set layer then pour over the raspberry Jell-O and refrigerate until set. 

10. Raspberry Cream Cheese Jell-O

Another raspberry recipe is this Raspberry Cream Cheese Jell-O which may as well be a mousse. Drain a can of pears and keep a cup of the juice in a bowl then set aside.

Add a cup of water to the juice and microwave until boiling. Add Raspberry Jell-O mix to the liquid and stir until the mix has dissolved and allow to cool in the refrigerator for around ten minutes. 

Blitz the pears and cream cheese then add the Jell-O and whipped topping. Once combined, pour into a pan and leave to completely set. Garnish with whipped cream and raspberries.

11. Raspberry Jell-O Lasagna

If you need a dessert pronto then try this Raspberry Jell-O Lasagna. Create a base layer from blitzed Graham crackers and melted butter then chill for around 15 minutes in a glass dish.

Meanwhile, combine the powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and whipped topping and spread over the crust. 

Whisk together Raspberry Jell-O mix with boiling water then stir in lemon juice. Fold in frozen raspberries and spread over the cream cheese.

Top with even more whipped topping and chill overnight. Garnish with blitzed Graham crackers and fresh raspberries. 

12. Raspberry Fluff Jell-O Salad

Struggling to provide something for a potluck dinner? Quickly rustle up this Raspberry Fluff Jell-O Salad. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan then whisk in mixes for vanilla pudding, tapioca pudding, and Raspberry Jell-O.

Stir constantly, return to a boil for a minute then remove from the heat and leave to cool. Refrigerate overnight, fold in whipped topping with raspberries and return to the refrigerator until it is time to serve. 

13. Jell-O Poke Cake

For a festive take on Jell-O, try this Jell-O Poke Cake. Prepare a white cake mix for a baking pan then allow the cake to cool.

Poke holes in the cake in rows about an inch apart, hence the name poke cake (see also ‘28 Delicious Poke Cake Reecipes‘). Create a Lime Jell-O by dissolving the mix in boiling water and then allow it to cool but not completely set.

Pour the Jell-O over the cake so that it goes into the holes and refrigerate for up to an hour. 

Prepare frosting by beating together butter and cream cheese then gradually adding powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Frost the cake and pour cherry pie filling on top and refrigerate until serving time.

14. Blueberry Jell-O Salad

The great thing about this Blueberry Jell-O Salad is that it can be made from cherry or cherry fusion mix and it will still be tasty.

Dissolve the Jell-O mix in hot water then stir in blueberry pie filling and a can of crushed pineapple.

Refrigerate until firm then beat together softened cream cheese, sour cream, and sugar to layer on top with a sprinkling of chopped nuts.

15. Lemon Jell-O Salad

Smooth, velvety, and tangy, impress your guests with this Lemon Jell-O Salad. Whisk together a Lemon Jell-O mix with instant lemon pudding then whisk in water and cook in a saucepan.

Simmer until translucent, remove from the heat, and stir in the ice cubes then cool until thickened. Whisk in the whipped topping then leave to set in the refrigerator for a few hours. 

16. Lime Jell-O Salad

This Lime Jell-O Salad is a great way of infusing cottage cheese and pineapple which may have seemed implausible.

Create two cups of liquid by adding water to the reserved pineapple juice and bring to a boil. Add the Lime Jell-O mix and stir until dissolved then leave to cool. 

In a bowl, mix together the evaporated milk (see also ‘33 Great Recipes For Evaporated Milk‘) and mayonnaise then combine with the Jell-O mix. Stir in walnuts, crushed pineapple, and cottage cheese then chill until set in a casserole dish. 

17. Pina Colada Jell-O Salad

If you want an adult dessert that still makes you feel like a kid, try this Piña Colada Jell-O Salad. Drop Pineapple Jell-O mix in boiling water and stir until dissolved then beat some cream cheese until fluffy.

Blitz both mixtures together then incorporate the rum and pineapple soda, Chill for around 40 minutes, fold in a whipped topping, coconut, and pineapple then refrigerate until firm.

18. Strawberry Jell-O Fruit Salad

If you’re feeling retro then try this light and foamy Strawberry Jell-O Fruit Salad. In a large dish, mix the Strawberry Jell-O package with hot and cold water until dissolved.

Chill for around an hour until thickened then whisk up to become foamy and stir in a whipped topping with chopped strawberries and leave in the refrigerator for a couple of hours until firm. 

19. Strawberry Colada Jell-O Poke Cake

For a summery poke cake, try this Strawberry Colada Jell-O Poke Cake. This is a little more complex than the other Poke Cake recipe but even more rewarding.

Whisk together white cake mix, eggs, coconut milk, and coconut oil then bake in a baking dish for 25 to 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

Next, create the filling from Strawberry Jell-O mixed with boiling water and coconut milk.

Poke holes in the cake with a fork across the surface then pour over the Jell-O and refrigerate for up to an hour until completely set.

Beat softened cream cheese with vanilla extract, salt, and powdered sugar then slowly add heavy cream and beat until firm.

Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the cake, sprinkle with toasted coconut, and arrange strawberry halves on top. 

20. Strawberry Jell-O Parfait

For a stylish dessert, create some Strawberry Jell-O Parfait in dessert cups. To create the right angle, place plastic cups on top of a small ball of foil and prepare your Strawberry Jell-O mix with boiling then cold water.

Top the Jell-O with hulled strawberry slices and refrigerate to set.

Boil up lemonade and whisk in another pack of Strawberry Jell-O mix then blend and add cream cheese. When smooth, add cold lemonade and blend again.

Add whipped topping over the Jell-O then refrigerate until completely set and garnish with more strawberry slices or whipped cream. 

21. Whipped Jell-O Mandarin Orange Mousse

Low on carbs and with only four pantry ingredients, you may not be able to resist this Whipped Jell-O Mandarin Orange Mousse (see also ‘29 Deliciously Simple Orange Desserts‘).

Create two cups from water and the reserved mandarin orange juice then bring to a boil and stir in Orange Sugar-Free Jell-O mix until dissolved.

Pour the ice/water into the mixture and stir until the ice melts then refrigerate until it has partially gelled and holds its shape when put in a spoon.

Whisk together powdered sugar and whipped cream until firm peaks then refrigerate. Break up the Jell-O mix with an electric mixer then add half of the whipped cream mixture and most of the oranges.

Once blended together, pour into dishes and chill. Use a mandarin orange and whipped cream for a garnish. 

22. Jell-O Cloud Mousse

This Jell-O Cloud Mousse can be quickly prepared for a decadent dessert. Boil up water, add your favorite Jell-O mix then whisk until dissolved and remove from the heat.

Add a mixture of ice cubes and cold water then pour into the Jell-O and combine. Whip in whipped topping, pour into a bowl then leave to set for 90 minutes. 

Break up by whisking, fold in even more whipped topping and place in a piping bag. Pipe in Jell-O mix to fill a third of a cup, add on the whipped topping, repeat, and serve with more whipped topping on the top. 

23. Jell-O Cheesecake

This Jell-O Cheesecake is so light and airy, that it may become a fixture for your gatherings (plus it’s gluten-free).

Blitz pecans until fine, brown with almond flour, remove from the heat, and mix in melted butter with sweetener (see also ‘33 Tasty Pecan Recipes‘).

This is your base layer which you can press into the bottom of a springform pan lined with wax paper and refrigerate.

In a bowl, whip up whipping cream with cream cheese until stiff. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan then add the Jell-O mixes and stir until dissolved.

Blitz cream cheese with the Jell-O until smooth then incorporate with the whipped cream. Pour over the crust and refrigerate for an hour.

24. Root Beer Jell-O

If you have the taste for something moreish, try this Root Beer Jell-O. Sprinkle the gelatin over cold water and allow it to absorb then soften.

Pour in boiling water then stir until the gelatin is dissolved then add root beer and sugar, stir then pour into a baking dish to refrigerate.

After four hours, cut into cubes and transfer into a square baking dish to store in the refrigerator. 

Next, create your ice cream layer from unflavored gelatin softened in cold water then pour on boiling water and stir until fully dissolved.

Add sugar, stir and leave to set. Melt vanilla ice cream until liquified then stir into the gelatin mixture and leave to reach room temperature.

Pour over the root beer cubes and leave them in the refrigerator overnight then cut into cubes.

25. Pistachio Pudding Jell-O Salad

Green and festive, this Pistachio Pudding Jell-O Salad is ideal for the holiday season. Combine Pistachio Instant Pudding Jell-O with crushed pineapple then stir in whipped topping and add mini marshmallows.

Spread into a casserole dish, scatter on more marshmallows and chopped pecans then chill until it is ready to serve. 

Bonus: Colorful Jell-O

To show off your creative side, you can make colorful Jell-O for a memorable treat. From triple layered Christmas Jell-O Cups to Pastel Marshmallows and stunning Broken Glass Jell-O. 

1. Christmas Jell-O Cups

If some desserts around the holiday season seem a bit too filling, try these Christmas Jell-O Cups. For the festive green layer, create Lime Jell-O and pour it into a glass baking dish to refrigerate until set.

Top with a layer of Lemon Jell-O by adding boiling water to powdered gelatin, stirring to dissolve, and adding marshmallows.

Once dissolved, whisk in whipped topping and cream cheese until smooth then add drained pineapple.

Carefully pour the Lemon Jell-O mix over the set layer and allow it to set. Once firm, create the final red layer from Cherry Jell-O, pour on top then chop into squares once set. 

2. Pastel Marshmallows

There is a way to create marshmallows with Jell-O and the recipe dates to the 1970s.

Dissolve your preferred flavor of Jell-O mix in boiling water over a low heat then add sugar and stir until clear.

Blend in light corn syrup and refrigerate until thickened then beat until you can create soft peaks. Pour into a square, wax paper-lined and greased pan then chill overnight.

Turn out onto a board dusted with confectioner’s sugar, peel off the wax paper and cut into squares or shapes then roll in sugar. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to eat.  

3. Broken Glass Jell-O

Broken Glass Jell-O looks great and is not even that difficult to create. Grab some packs of your favorite Jell-O mixes and create each one in its own container then chill overnight.

Cut each Jell-O into square cubes and mix them together in a glass dish in one layer. In a bowl, dissolve unflavored gelatin in hot water, allow to cool then whisk in sweetened condensed milk. 

Once cool to the touch, evenly pour over the Jell-O cubes. Chill the mixture overnight and chop it up into squares to showcase the different colors and flavors.  

Final Thoughts

With just a packet of mix, and some boiling and ice cold water, you can create some delicious Jell-O. After that, think about how you incorporate the Jell-O into a dessert.

Whether you want it as a layer in a Parfait, blitz it all into a Mousse, or layer it onto some crushed Graham crackers for a cheesecake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Jell-O Recipes Called Salads?

These salad recipes should not be confused with green leaves and dressing tossed together. The definition of a salad is essentially a range of ingredients tossed together.

In the case of these Jell-O recipes that means Jell-O mix, fruit, cream cheese, and whipped topping. There are also layers involving blitzing Graham crackers or pretzels.

Can You Make Jell-O With A Liquid That Is Not Water?

Yes, if you want to make a really potent Jell-O then mix in juice instead of water. Condensed milk can also be used for a creamier flavor.