More fun with Jello: making layers

by Nicole Weston, Posted Jul 3rd 2006 @ 12:02PM

After I made my Jello pie, I wanted to do more Jello desserts - by which I mean that I had an extra package of Jello left over. I decided that I would try my hand at making a layered dessert because some of them just look too interesting to pass up and I've never actually attempted one before.

As it turns out, they're very easy to make. Gelatin doesn't set up at room temperature, so the layers-to-be can sit out while you wait for things to set up. The initial time involved is about 2 minutes, after which you can do household things (or blog) while you wait to pour on the next layer.

Unlike the pie, this Jello dessert actually tasted pretty good. I attribute this to the facts that no blue Jello was used and raspberry is much less sweet than strawberry. I couldn't really taste any flavor from the yogurt, but the yogurt layer was somewhat milder in flavor than the pure Jello layer. I actually ate the whole serving - and rather enjoyed it. It seemed very nostalgic and was nicely cool on a hot (101°F+) day.

Yes, that is Cool Whip on top of the parfait, but I had extra left over from making the pie and it looked pretty in the photo. I don't necessarily recommend using Cool Whip as a dessert topping and can say with certainty that I won't be purchasing it again until my next Jello project - which could be some time from now. I will note, however, that it doesn't taste too bad with blueberries, not to mention that it added the crucial, 4th of July "white" element, to my red, white and blue dessert.

Raspberry Jello Parfaits
2-1/2 cups boiling water
1 lg pkg. or 2 sm pkgs. (8-servings) JELL-O Raspberry Gelatin (Sugar Free or Regular)
1/2 cup plain yogurt

Stir the boiling water into the raspberry flavor gelatin in a medium bowl (bowl #1) until gelatin is completely dissolved (2 minutes).
Pour half of the gelatin into another medium bowl (bowl #2)and refrigerate for 10 minutes, until slightly cooled. When cooled, stir in 1/2 cup yogurt and let the bowl sit on the countertop.
Pour half of the gelatin from bowl #1 into the bottom of four large glasses or dessert cups. Refrigerate until set, but not firm (15-20 minutes).
Pour half of the gelatin from bowl #2, distributing it evenly between cups, on top of the first layer. Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes, until set, then repeat with the remaining jello in bowl #1 and #2.
Refrigerate until firm and ready to serve. Garnish with whipped cream and berries.

Filed Under: Food Porn, Retro cookery, Feast Your Eyes, How To
Tags: 4th of july, berries, blue jello, cool whip, dessert, food porn, gelatin, jello, jello ribbon, july fourth of july, layers, nicole, parfait, recipe, recipes, red white and blue, retro, retro food, snack, summer

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-03-2006 @5:48PM Bruce Dearborn Walker said... I remember in the 60's Jello had a product line that would separate in the refrigerator, leaving gelatin on the bottom and some kind of white substance meant to remind people of whipped cream on top. They made a big advertising splash, and frankly, it did look pretty good, but once you started eating it you realized it was just Jello. It looked fun, and it gave working moms a false sense of creativity, (you could actually put it in stem glasses and, wait for it, you could put the glasses in the refrigerator at an angle so that when you took it out, the Jello was set in a crazy psychedelic angle, like going on an acid trip for dessert.) but everyone had seen it on the tube and it sank without a trace. I haven't thought of it in decades, and probably won't again.

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7-04-2006 @4:32AM TR Shuford said... i too remember this "magical" jello and have recently seen it for sell in vermont country store catalog. They also have a website...vermontcountrystore.com. Being kids, we didnt really care all that much about the "jello" factor....after all, it was MAGIC!
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