Red, White, and Blue Jello Cups (A simple Festive Treat)
These Red, White, and Blue Jello Cups are a fun treat made with colorful layers, topped with whipped cream and festive sprinkles. The vibrant colors make them an eye-catching addition to any dessert table, while the simple ingredients keep them easy enough for anyone to make.
These dessert cups are perfect for Patriotic holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. They're one of those nostalgic Jello desserts that both kids and adults get excited about, and serving them in individual clear cups makes them easy to grab and enjoy.
If you enjoy our Red, White, and Blue Dessert Lasagna and Red, White and Blue Dump Cake, these patriotic desserts are another fun way to celebrate summer holidays.
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Ingredients
A few simple ingredients create the colorful layers that make this easy dessert so much fun.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Blue Jell-O: Blue raspberry works beautifully and creates a bold blue layer, but any blue-flavored gelatin will work.
- Red Jell-O: Cherry Jello and strawberry are both great options for the red layer.
- Whole Milk: Creates the creamy white layer that separates the red and blue colors. The milk mixture helps create that classic patriotic look.
- Unflavored Gelatin: A packet of unflavored gelatin helps the white layer set firmly enough to support the next layer.
- Whipped Cream: Added just before serving for a light, creamy finish.
- Red, White, & Blue Sprinkles: The perfect finishing touch for patriotic holidays.
You'll need spouted measuring cups, a small saucepan and small clear serving cups (about 3 ounces).
Variations
- Use Different Flavors: Cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and blue raspberry all work well depending on your preferences.
- Add Star Shapes: Cut small cubes or stars from extra gelatin using a star cookie cutter and use them as a garnish.
- Make Mini Cups: Small dessert cups are perfect for larger parties where guests may want several dessert options.
- Create Extra Layers: If you have leftover gelatin mixture, you can create additional layers for taller dessert cups.
How to Make Red, White and Blue Jello Cups
These layered dessert cups come together one layer at a time, but the actual hands-on work is minimal.
To make it easier to move the serving cups throughout this recipe, arrange them on a small baking sheet.
In a spouted measuring cup, dissolve the blue Jell-O according to the box and pour into serving cups until they are ⅓ full; you should be able to fill about 8-10. Place in the fridge to set fully.
In another spouted measuring cup (at least 1 cup in size), add ½ cup of cold milk then sprinkle the gelatin throughout and allow it to bloom for about 5 minutes.
Heat the remaining half cup of milk to before boiling and stir into the cold milk until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
Allow it to cool slightly and slowly pour over the blue Jell-O layer. It is important to not pour it when it is hot, so the layers do not blend. Set in the fridge again to cool.
Make the red Jell-O according to the package, cool it a little and then pour over the white layer. Allow it to chill and set in the fridge one more time.
Top with whipped cream and sprinkles as desired.
Hint: Allow each layer to set fully. Rushing the process can cause the colors to blend together instead of forming distinct layers.
Recipe Tips
- Cool the Jello Slightly Before Pouring: Pouring hot gelatin onto a set layer can soften it and create uneven lines.
- Use Clear Cups: A clear cup allows the red, white, and blue layers to really shine.
- Pour Slowly: Gently pouring each next layer helps maintain clean separation between colors.
- Plan Ahead: The full recipe typically needs about 3-4 hours of chilling time before serving.
If you're planning a patriotic dessert table, our Berry Trifle is another crowd favorite that pairs perfectly with these colorful cups.
More 4th of July Recipes
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Before Serving: Add whipped cream and sprinkles just before serving for the freshest presentation.
Serving Suggestions
- Patriotic Desserts: Fresh Fruit Cups, Red, White, and Blue Pretzel Salad, M&M Cookies, M&M Cookie Cake, Jello Poke Cake, Layered Cheesecake, Red, White and Blue Bark.
Red, White and Blue Jello Cups Recipe FAQs
Usually this happens when the next layer is added before the previous one has fully set. We always recommend letting each layer become firm before moving to the next step.
Absolutely. The colors are the most important part here, so feel free to use your favorite red and blue flavored gelatin varieties.
Yes. In fact, we often do. Making them the night before allows plenty of time for all the layers to set properly.
Whole milk produces the creamiest white layer, but other milk varieties will generally work as well. Just keep in mind that the texture may vary slightly.
This happens fairly often depending on the packet size. We usually pour extras into mini cups for bonus desserts or cube them up later for fruit salads and trifles.
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Red, White, and Blue Jello Cups
Equipment
- Spouted Measuring Cups
- Small Saucepan
- Clear Cups about 3 ounce
Ingredients
- 1 3-ounce pack blue Jello berry or blue raspberry
- 1 3-ounce pack red Jello strawberry or cherry
- 1 cup whole milk divided
- 1 7 gram pack gelatin unflavored (.25 ounce)
- boiling water see recipe notes
- whipped cream optional
- sprinkles optional
Instructions
- To make it easier to move the serving cups throughout this recipe, arrange them on a small baking sheet.
- In a spouted measuring cup, dissolve the blue Jell-O according to the box and pour into serving cups until they are ⅓ full; you should be able to fill about 8-10. Place in the fridge to set fully.
- In another spouted measuring cup (at least 1 cup in size), add ½ cup of cold milk then sprinkle the gelatin throughout and allow it to bloom for about 5 minutes.
- Heat the remaining half cup of milk to before boiling and stir into the cold milk until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
- Allow it to cool slightly and slowly pour over the blue Jell-O layer. It is important to not pour it when it is hot, so the layers do not blend. Set in the fridge again to cool.
- Make the red Jell-O according to the package, cool it a little and then pour over the white layer. Allow it to chill and set in the fridge one more time.
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkles as desired.
Notes
- Cool the Jello Slightly Before Pouring: Pouring hot gelatin onto a set layer can soften it and create uneven lines.
- Use Clear Cups: A clear cup allows the red, white, and blue layers to really shine.
- Pour Slowly: Gently pouring each next layer helps maintain clean separation between colors.
- Plan Ahead: The full recipe typically needs about 3-4 hours of chilling time before serving.
- Set Fully: Rushing the process can cause the colors to blend instead of forming distinct layers.
- Refrigerator: Store covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Before Serving: Add whipped cream and sprinkles just before serving for the freshest presentation.
Nutrition
I'd be so grateful if you left a rating and review after trying this recipe, it helps me and helps other readers discover it!
These are such a fun addition to any part, with any combination of colors! The kids just love them.