Layered Rainbow Gelatin Cups
Rainbow gelatin cups are a colorful dessert to make for your next celebration. Isn’t there something extra delicious-looking about layered desserts?
I don’t know about you, but I find layers so visually appealing. Then, add the colors of the rainbow to make these gelatin cups look even more irresistible.
Rainbow Layered Gelatin Cups
Rainbow treats are great for St. Patrick’s Day, unicorn parties, or any special celebration. You can change the colors of the gelatin to match your party theme or holiday. (Like these galaxy gelatin cups.)
Rainbow gelatin cups are not hard to make but are time-consuming. Once you get into the groove of creating layers, it’s easy to make this dessert as you do other things.
The glasses used in this recipe are 4 oz. Of course, depending on the size of your glasses or dishes, you’ll want to adjust the size of your layers.
Next, give these watermelon Jello magic cups a try!
Creating Layers of Gelatin
If you make your layers a touch too big, you won’t have enough room for all the colors. Little layers are key.
You also want to make sure to pour on each layer gently.
The warm gelatin can easily melt the layer below it.
If you pour a fine stream, like from a spout, the more likely you are to break the layer.
Breaking a layer won’t destroy your dessert, but for the best appearance, you want to try to avoid doing so.
I suggest using a portion scoop to drizzle on each layer.
You can also use a spatula to help create layers.
Pour the gelatin onto the spatula to help guide the liquid gently onto the layer while breaking the stream a bit.
Once you have the purple and white layers in your glass, set a timer for 15 minutes.
Make each color of gelatin during your 15 minute time period.
Make the gelatin, pour the layer, reset the timer for another 15 minutes.
Add a layer of white and return to the fridge for 15 minutes.
With this process – pouring, refrigerating for 15 minutes, making a color, pouring the white layer, and then refrigerating another 15 minutes – the colored gelatin ends up sitting to cool for 30 minutes.
Rainbow Jelly Cups Ingredients
- 1 small box of each color gelatin – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
- Flavors used here: cherry, orange, island pineapple, lime, berry blue, and grape.
- Water
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
Rainbow Cups Directions
- The first thing you want to do is clear a space in your fridge.
- It’s easiest to place the cups onto a baking pan, so make room for that.
- Add plain gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water to a bowl.
- Let set for 5 minutes.
- Add 1 1/2 cups of boiling water and mix well until dissolved completely.
- Stir in sweetened condensed milk and mix well.
- Set aside to cool and start to make your first color.
- Mix grape gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water and stir for about 2 minutes.
- Pour a small amount into your cups.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Pour a small amount of white gelatin onto the purple and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- While that layer sets, make your second color.
- You can let your gelatin colors sit on the counter for 30 minutes. They will not set up.
- Repeat the layering process until you reach the last red color.
- Once the final layer is poured, refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.
Rainbow Gelatin Recipe Notes and FAQ
What is the best container to make Gelatin in?
Glass cups work best because the gelatin is least likely to stick to them.
Why would gelatin not set?
You might not have thoroughly dissolved the powder in boiling water. If gelatin isn’t completely dissolved before adding cold water, it won’t set.
Will gelatin set if you add too much water?
It won’t if you leave the ratio the same. However, you can add another packet of mix to your container, warm it up until dissolved, and mix in more gelatin.
More Rainbow Desserts to Make
Since this recipe is a lot of chilling, you can multi-task by making other rainbow treats for your party.
- Rainbow cookie dough dip
- Easy rainbow cake decorating
- Rainbow fresh fruit popsicles
- Unicorn party mix
- Rainbow popcorn
- Rainbow trifle dessert
- Rainbow candy bark
Rainbow Layered Gelatin Cups
Equipment
- 4 oz Glass Cups
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Ingredients
- 3 oz cherry gelatin
- 3 oz orange Jell-O
- 3 oz island pineapple Jell-O
- 3 oz lime Jell-O
- 3 oz berry blue gelatin
- 3 oz grape Jell-O
- water divided
- .5 oz unflavored gelatin 2 packets
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
Instructions
- Begin by finding a space in your refrigerator for all of your cups to refrigerate. I find it easiest to put the cups on a baking pan to bring them from fridge to counter to make these.
- Add gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in a bowl. Let set for 5 minutes. Add 1-1/2 cups boiling water and mix well until dissolved completely. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and mix well. Set aside to cool and make your first color.water, .5 oz unflavored gelatin, 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- Mix grape gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water and stir for about 2 minutes or until completely dissolved. Gently pour a small amount into cup. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.3 oz grape Jell-O
- Pour a small amount of white gelatin onto the purple and refrigerate for 15 minutes. While in the refrigerator, prepare your second color. You can let your gelatin colors sit on the counter for 30 minutes. They will not set up.3 oz cherry gelatin
- Repeat, layering colors and a white layer, refrigerating each layer for 15 minutes. Use a portion scoop to drizzle the layers. It ends up being about 1 tablespoon for each layer.3 oz orange Jell-O, 3 oz island pineapple Jell-O, 3 oz lime Jell-O, 3 oz berry blue gelatin
- When complete with the red layer, refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.
Video
Nutrition
There was some leftover gelatin, so stained-glass gelatin cubes were born! Be sure to check them out.
Please let me know if you make these rainbow gelatin cups.
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Where will you serve these rainbow layers of deliciousness?
These are sooo fun! My kids would love them! These would be perfect for a party!
Thank you!! Hope you make them!
Those are beautiful! What a fun treat for a party or for St. Patrick’s Day!
These are so fun! They are almost too pretty to eat.
Thank you, Angie!! Yes, but there is something very satisfying about breaking into those layers. 🙂
Can I use sugar-free jello for one of the layers?
Hi Maryn, I haven’t personally tried to use sugar-free Jell-O, but it should work just fine!