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

What is the ratio of Jello powder to water? ›

Whisk together 1 cup (240 milliliters) of hot water with 1 packet of jello in a large bowl. Keep whisking until no powdery granules remain, about 2 to 3 minutes. If you are using a larger, 6-ounce (170 grams) packet of jello, use 2 cups (475 milliliters) of hot water instead.

What happened to Jello salads? ›

Jello salad fell out of fashion in the 1960s and 70s. The rise of Julia Child and the popularization of French cooking in the United States made the jello salad appear less elegant, and dieting trends eventually turned against sugary food like Jell-O.

Is it Mould or mold for Jello? ›

There is no difference at all in meaning, though I think some Americans like myself prefer to use mould when not talking about the fungus. I generally like continuity within my articles so I went with the spelling found on the overwhelming majority of my recipes for Jell-O salad, which are 'u'-less.

How much gelatin powder for 2 cups of water? ›

Use 1 envelope (1 tablespoon or 1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin to 2 cups of water for standard firmness. Decrease or increase water or other liquid for your particular needs. One (3-ounce) package of flavored, sweetened gelatin needs 2 cups of water.

Will Jello powder dissolve in cold water? ›

-Both sheet and powdered gelatin should be dissolved in cold water. If hot water is used, granules of gelatin will swell on the outside too quickly, preventing the water from getting into the center. -Don't boil things made with gelatin.

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 should not be added to gelatin salad? ›

Fresh raw pineapple shouldn't be used in Jello salad because it contains protease enzymes. These will prevent the gelatin from gelling and will leave you with a liquid jello salad. Citrus fruits are fine. For example it is quite common to add mandarin oranges.

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.

Can you spray a jello mold with Pam? ›

Spraying the mold with Pam or some other cooking spray is another common trick, but one that may leave a residue and flavor on the Jell-O, which you may not want depending on what you are making. Certain molds, including newer plastic ones and some vintage molds, also come with removable seals to help with unmolding.

Does putting jello in the freezer work? ›

Freezing prepared Jell-O gives it a totally new texture that makes it even more fun to eat. The clear, jiggly gel transforms into a cloudy neon color that's almost entirely opaque. The texture is still soft and chewy, but it's lighter and more airy, even when completely frozen.

Should you cover jello while it chills? ›

To hasten chilling, chill the mold a few minutes in a pan of ice and water before placing in refrigerator. For storage overnight or longer, it's wise to cover the gelatin to prevent evaporation and drying. To make one serving, dissolve 1 3/4 tablespoons Jell-O Gelatin in 1/2 cup boiling water. Chill until firm.

Can I reheat jello that didn't set? ›

Yes you can reheat the times you need, just take in account that you don't exceed the temperature that I think it's 60 or 70 °C.

How do you mix gelatin powder with water? ›

Pouring water into gelatin powder is more likely to generate lumps and leave some gelatin undissolved. To dissolve gelatin powder, place over a warm water bath or pour into warmed liquid. Gelatin powder does not set at high temperatures. Be sure to use with liquid that has been warmed to between 50 and 60C.

How much is 3 oz of jello powder? ›

the small pkg is 3 oz which equals 1/3 cup.

How much water is needed to bloom 1 oz of powdered gelatin? ›

Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the top of the water. It will begin to absorb the water and swell in size. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes before proceeding with the recipe. You will need about 1/4 cup of water per 1/4 oz of gelatin (one packet of powdered gelatin).

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