This Layered Christmas Jello recipe features a layer of green lime jello, creamy white gelatin, and red cherry jello, each including a delicious mix-in to make it extra delicious. It’s an easy no-bake dessert that’s bright, fun, and is so festive for Christmas celebrations!
This is not your basic Christmas jello recipe! Each layer has a surprise ingredient, like pineapple mixed with the green lime jello and whole-berry cranberry sauce in the red layer. You get a little bit of everything in each bite! And it’s so easy to make too. The only thing it requires is a bit of time, as each layer needs to set before adding the next.
This is definitely a dessert to prepare a day in advance, which is perfect at holiday time. For a similar concept with a boozy twist, check out my candy cane jello shots.
What’s in this Layered Christmas Jello Recipe?
Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need for this layered chill recipe. You can find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Green Layer
- Lime jello – I like to use lime for the green layer because it pairs great with the pineapple and then I can use lime zest as a garnish. However, there are other flavors of green jello, like green apple and the Starburst watermelon flavor.
- Boiling water – Needed to dissolve the jello powder.
- Pineapple – You’ll need both pineapple juice and crushed pineapple for this layer. I like to use the pineapple juice from the crushed pineapple since it needs to be drained but keep in mind you’ll want to chill the juice ahead of time or the jello won’t set properly.
White Layer
- Unflavored gelatin – Unflavored gelatin doesn’t have a color so it’s easy to use to take on the white color of the sour cream.
- Ice cold water – For preparing the gelatin.
- Sour cream – Adds the white color and creamy texture to the white layer.
- Whole milk – Helps achieve the right consistency in this layer. 2% would likely also work but avoid skim milk because it will be too thin.
- Vanilla – Adds a bit of flavor to this layer, since the gelatin is unflavored.
Red Layer
- Cherry jello – You can swap this for any other flavor of red jello too, like strawberry, raspberry, or cranberry. They all work well with the cranberry sauce.
- Boiling water – Needed to dissolve the jello powder.
- Cranberry sauce – You’ll want whole-berry cranberry sauce for this layer. It should be chilled.
For Serving
- Whipped cream – I like to use homemade whipped cream but the kind in the can that you pipe on or Cool Whip works too.
- Lime zest – Adds a festive bright green color to the top and pairs nicely with the jello flavors.
What Size Pan Should I Use?
Using the right pan is important for making this Christmas layered jello. I use a deep 11×7 glass dish which is the perfect size. A 9x9x2 pan will also work. However, don’t use anything 8×8 or smaller than that as the liquid will overflow. A standard 9×13 will also work, but the layers will be thinner.
Tips for Success
- Use boiling water. With the exception of the unflavored gelatin which first needs to sit on ice cold water, you want to make sure to whisk the jello into boiling water. This ensures that all of the jello dissolves and that it sets properly.
- Use chilled add-ins. Conversely, the add-ins like pineapple juice and cranberry sauce should be chilled. This cools the mixture down and helps it set properly.
- Let each layer set. Layered Christmas jello takes a few hours to prepare. Not because it’s a lot of work but because each layer needs to set before you add the next. They do not need to be completely firm but they do need to be set enough that the next layer won’t mix into the layer underneath.
- Chill overnight. Once you add the top red layer, I recommend covering the layered jello and letting it chill overnight. Each layer needs to firm up completely before you try to slice it. 6 hours is the minimum but overnight is best just to be sure.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this layered jello at parties. Just slice the jello into squares and serve on plates. I like to add some piped whipped cream and lime zest to give it a fancier and more festive appearance. I’ll sometimes offer this on a dessert spread next to other holiday favorites like my 4 layer Christmas cake, Reindeer Chow, Christmas Jello Poke Cake, and Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board.
How To Store Christmas Layered Jello
Store leftover layered Christmas jello in the fridge, covered tightly with plastic wrap. It’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days of preparing. I recommend only adding the whipped cream to the portions you’ll be enjoying immediately.
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Layered Christmas Jello
Ingredients
GREEN LAYER
- 1 box (3 ounces) lime jello
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/3 cup pineapple juice , chilled
- 1 cup crushed pineapple , drained
WHITE LAYER
- 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
- 3 tablespoons ice cold water
- 8 ounces sour cream , chilled
- 1/3 cup whole milk , chilled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
RED LAYER
- 2 boxes (3 ounces each) cherry jello (or strawberry, raspberry, or cranberry)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 can (14 ounce) whole-berry cranberry sauce , chilled
FOR SERVING
- piped whipped cream
- lime zest
Instructions
- Coat a deep 11×7-inch glass dish with nonstick spray (see note below.)
- In a small mixing bowl, dissolve lime jello in the boiling water. Stir in the cold pineapple juice. Carefully pour mixture into the prepared dish then transfer to the fridge for 45-60 minutes – it should be set, but not completely firm.
- In a small pot, sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over the ice cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Then heat over low, stirring until the jello dissolves. Transfer to a bowl along with the sour cream, milk, and vanilla. Whisk until combined and smooth. Spread over the lime layer and place back in the fridge for another 45-60 minutes.
- In a medium mixing bowl, dissolve cherry jello in the boiling water. Stir in cold cranberry sauce. Carefully spoon mixture over the sour cream layer, then transfer to the fridge until completely set, at least 4 hours.
- Cut into squares. Serve with fresh pipped whipped cream and a sprinkle of lime zest.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Notes
I plan to make this, but only have a 9×13. Do you think doubling up would be way too much, or maybe just 1.5 of each? thanks! Love all your recipes, so fun and everyone LOVES them!!
Hi Katrionaa! Yes, doubling everything will probably overflow, but I think you could get away with 1.5x. I haven’t tested it that way, though.
I only doubled up on the white part, followed recipe exactly for green and red part. Worked perfectly
Love this one. I’m gong to make for our Christmas dinner. I’ll change and add strawberries. Love all your recipes and your videos as well. You make cooking fun.
What could I substitute for the can of cranberry sauce?
You could sub finely chopped up cherries, but you should cook them down first and allow them to cool completely before adding them in. Or buy maraschino cherries in the jar and chop them up finely. Or finely chopped up strawberries would be great, too.
I haven’t made this, but I will. I make ribbon jello, easy but time consuming. I love your recipes!