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You are here: Home / Make Food / Dessert / Rainbow Jello Cups

Dessert

Rainbow Jello Cups

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Jell-o layered dessert cups
Jell-o layered into cups in a rainbow

Rainbow Jell-o 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 Jell-o cups look even more irresistible.

Layered Jell-o rainbow cups

Rainbow Layered Jell-o Cups

Rainbow treats are great for St. Patrick’s Day, unicorn parties, or any special celebration.

You can change the colors of the Jell-o to match your party theme or holiday. (Like these galaxy Jell-o cups.)

Rainbow Jell-o 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.

Rainbow Jell-o cups on a table
Jell-O Gelatin Sampler
Jell-O Gelatin Sampler
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Creating Layers of Jell-o

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 Jell-o 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 Jell-o 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 Jell-o during your 15 minute time period.

Make the Jell-o, 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 Jell-o ends up sitting to cool for 30 minutes.

Cups of rainbow Jell-o layers on a table

Rainbow Jell-o Cups Ingredients

  • 1 small box of each color Jell-o – 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
Steps to make layered Jell-o cups

Rainbow Cups Directions

  1. The first thing you want to do is clear a space in your fridge.
  2. It’s easiest to place the cups onto a baking pan, so make room for that.
  3. Add plain gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water to a bowl.
  4. Let set for 5 minutes.
  5. Add 1 1/2 cups of boiling water and mix well until dissolved completely.
  6. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and mix well.
  7. Set aside to cool and start to make your first color.
  8. Mix grape Jell-o with 1 cup of boiling water and stir for about 2 minutes.
  9. Pour a small amount into your cups.
  10. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  11. Pour a small amount of white gelatin onto the purple and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  12. While that layer sets, make your second color.
  13. You can let your Jell-o colors sit on the counter for 30 minutes. They will not set up.
  14. Repeat the layering process until you reach the last red color.
  15. Once the final layer is poured, refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.
Spoonful of rainbow layered Jell-o

Rainbow Jello Recipe Notes and FAQ

What is the best container to make Jello in?

Glass cups work best because the Jello is least likely to stick to them. 

Why would Jello 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 Jello 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 Jello. warm it up until dissolved, and mix in more Jello.

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
  • Unicorn party mix
  • Rainbow popcorn
Continue to Content
Yield: 10 servings

Rainbow Layered Jell-o Cups

Layered Jell-o rainbow cups

A creamy and delicious rainbow dessert. Rainbow Jell-o cups are great for any party, holiday, or event.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Fridge time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 oz cherry Jell-o
  • 3 oz orange Jell-o
  • 3 oz island pineapple Jell-o
  • 3 oz lime Jell-o
  • 3 oz berry blue Jell-o
  • 3 oz grape Jell-o
  • water, divided
  • .5 oz unflavored gelatin, 2 packets
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 can

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Mix grape jello 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.
  4. 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 jello colors sit on the counter for 30 minutes. They will not set up.
  5. 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.
  6. When complete with the red layer, refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Sweetened Condensed Milk 
    Sweetened Condensed Milk 
  • Jell-O Gelatin Sampler 
    Jell-O Gelatin Sampler 
  • Unflavored Gelatine Dessert Mix
    Unflavored Gelatine Dessert Mix

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1 serving

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 285Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 134mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 2gSugar: 51gProtein: 7g

Nutrition facts are an estimate only.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to see your recreation. Tag me in your photos!

Cuisine: Dessert / Category: Dessert

There was some leftover Jello, so stained-glass Jello cubes were born! Be sure to check them out.

Please let me know if you make these rainbow Jell-o cups.

Jell-o layered into cups in a rainbow

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Where will you serve these rainbow layers of deliciousness?


About Jennifer

Jennifer is the founder of A Magical Mess. She is married to a wonderful man, and together they live with their three rescue dogs. Jen is an entrepreneur at heart. Hobbies and interests include working, reading, playing word games, and learning new things.

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Comments

  1. Lisa Joy Thompson says

    December 11, 2019 at 6:46 pm

    These are sooo fun! My kids would love them! These would be perfect for a party!

    • Jennifer says

      December 16, 2019 at 9:20 am

      Thank you!! Hope you make them!

  2. Randi says

    December 18, 2019 at 2:18 pm

    Those are beautiful! What a fun treat for a party or for St. Patrick’s Day!

  3. Angie Agerter says

    February 10, 2020 at 3:50 pm

    These are so fun! They are almost too pretty to eat.

    • Jennifer says

      February 10, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      Thank you, Angie!! Yes, but there is something very satisfying about breaking into those layers. 🙂

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