Patriotic Layered Jell-O Cups

These patriotic red, white, and blue layered Jell-O cups are a festive 4th of July dessert!

No matter how you celebrate the 4th of July or Memorial Day, these red, white, and blue Patriotic Layered Jell-O Cups are a fun and festive dessert! Packed with fruity flavor, these cups are always a crowd pleaser. Layering Jell-O can be a bit time consuming with having to wait for each layer to set, but there's actually not much work to do at all, and the result is definitely worth it!

To make these festive Patriotic Layered Jell-O Cups, you will need blue and red Jell-O, water, sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, and don't forget patriotic sprinkles! While this recipe is incredibly easy to make, it does take a bit of time with all of the waiting for the layers of Jell-O to set. You will also need some clear plastic shot glasses. 

The first layer is made of Berry Blue Jell-O. Dissolve the powder into boiling water, and then mix in some cold water. The mixture should be transparent free of any clumps.

Pour the mixture into the glasses, filling them up 1/3 of the way full. Place the glasses in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to allow this layer to set.

*You can use 6 oz glasses for 6 larger servings, or use as small as 1 oz shot glasses for a larger crowd.

For the white layer, we have to be a little more creative. Combine clear, unflavored gelatin and cold water and then let it sit for a few minutes to "bloom" (which basically just means to soften and rehydrate). Then, add in boiling water to dissolve the gelatin. To make the mixture white, add in some sweetened condensed milk and stir until combined.

With the blue layer already set, you can pour the white gelatin over the top without the two colors mixing together. Fill the cups another third of the way full. Return the cups to the refrigerator to set for another 2-3 hours.

For the final layer, dissolve strawberry or cherry Jell-O powder into boiling water, and then mix in some cold water. The mixture should be transparent free of any clumps.

Make sure that the white layer has set completely, and then pour the red Jell-O mixture to the top of the cup. Refrigerate this last layer for at least 2-3 hours - overnight will give you the best results. 

Just before serving, top the Jell-O cups with a dollop of whipped cream. Don't forget to add patriotic sprinkles for a festive finish!

Aren't these Patriotic Layered Jell-O Cups so festive and cute?! The Jell-O cups can be made well in advance, but just make sure not to add any whipped cream or sprinkles until it's time to serve.

If you've got an adult crowd, you can add a bit of alcohol to the recipe (see tips section below recipe) to celebrate America with patriotic Jell-O shots!

Patriotic Layered Jell-O Cups

Servings: 12 (3 oz glasses)

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Chill Time: 6-8 hours

Layered Jell-O Ingredients:

• 1 box of Berry Blue Jell-O
• 1 box cherry or strawberry Jell-O
• 2 packs unflavored gelatin
• 5 ½ cups water
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• Whipped cream
• Patriotic sprinkles

Layered Jell-O Directions:

1. Dissolve blue Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring well to make sure that there are no clumps.
2. Mix in 1 cup cold water and stir until combined.
3. Pour the room-temperature mixture into glasses, filling one-third of the way.
4. Place the glasses in the refrigerator for about 2-3 hours until set.
5. Sprinkle 2 packets of unflavored gelatin to ½ cup of cold water. Let it sit to "bloom" for a few minutes.
6. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
7. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until combined. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
8. Gently pour the white gelatin mixture over the set blue layer and fill the glasses another third of the way full
9. Return the glasses to the refrigerator and allow the white layer to set for another 2-3 hours.
10. Dissolve red Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring well to make sure that there are no clumps.
11. Mix in 1 cup cold water and stir until combined.
12. Slowly pour the red layer on top of the white, filling the glasses to the top.
13. Refrigerate until set for about 2-3 hours, or overnight for best results.
14. Just before serving, top each chilled Jell-O cup with a dollop of whipped cream.
15. Sprinkle red, white, and blue sprinkles over the whipped cream for a festive finish.

Tips: 

• Alternative Serving Suggestion: Instead of serving in single cups, you can use a single 9x9 inch baking dish instead. Pour the gelatin layers into the dish, one at a time and chilling in between each as directed in the recipe. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles, and then cut the Jell-O into squares for serving.
• Alcoholic Jell-O Shots: Add ½ cup vodka to both the red and blue Jell-O layers at the same time you add the cold water. Layer the Jell-O as directed in the recipe, but serve in 1 oz shot glasses.

Not only are these red, white, and blue Patriotic Layered Jell-O Cups a colorful and festive treat, but they really are easy to make and taste amazing. If you decide to give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear all about it! Please share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest!

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Check out this collection of OVER 100 creative 4th of July crafts and recipes!!

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