Layered Christmas Jello

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This Layered Christmas Jello is a tried and true family favorite with colorful layers of fruity Jello and a creamy white filling! Also called Finger Jello, this classic layered Jello dessert is perfect for holiday gatherings and can easily be changed up for any occasion throughout the year!

A piece of layered Jello served on a floral plate with a fork.

This old-fashioned recipe has been in my family since I was a little girl, maybe even before! My mom makes both our Thanksgiving Jello and Christmas Jello every year as part of our holiday traditions. It takes a little patience while the layers set, but the end result is worth it! You can make it in a 9×13 baking dish or individual cups for parties and gatherings.

Quick Look: Layered Christmas Jello

Taste: Fruity cherry and lime Jello with creamy white layers.
Texture: Smooth, creamy, and jiggly with colorful red, green, and white layers that hold their shape when sliced.
Total Time: Several hours, including chilling between each layer.
Skill: Easy to make, but requires patience between layers. Kids can help prepare it!
Tools: Mixing bowls, whisk, and 9×13 baking dish.
Serving: A festive, kid-friendly Christmas Jello salad that works as a holiday side dish or dessert. Make it 1-2 days ahead to save time.

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Quick Look: Layered Christmas Jello
Ingredient Notes
How to Make Christmas Layered Jello
Jello Tips
Storage & Make Ahead
Christmas Jello Recipe FAQ’s
More JELLO Recipes To Try
Layered Christmas Jello Recipe

Ingredient Notes

Using simple ingredients, this Christmas layered Jello comes together for a festive sweet treat. See the printable recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step directions.

All the ingredients needed to make layered Christmas Jello.

Jello: I typically use cherry and lime Jello for the red and green layers, but sometimes add lemon for a yellow layer. Feel free to change up the flavors!
Hot Water: Use boiling water to dissolve the Jello mix completely.
Cold Water: Helps the Jello mixture cool and set.
Milk: Adds creaminess to the white filling layers. Sweetened condensed milk is another option, but will make the filling sweeter.
Sugar: White granulated sugar works best.
Unflavored Gelatin: I use Knox, but any brand of unflavored gelatin works.
Sour Cream: Creates the creamy white layers. I’ve tried cream cheese, but find it tends to get lumpy, so sour cream is my go-to.
Vanilla Extract: I prefer pure vanilla extract over imitation for the best flavor.

Recipe Variations

Layers: Make 2, 4, or more layers depending on your preference.
Flavors: Mix and match cherry, strawberry, lime, lemon, black cherry, and other Jello flavors. If you love fruity Jello desserts, my Strawberry Pretzel Salad is another family favorite with a creamy filling and strawberry Jello topping!
Finger Jello: Use cookie cutters to cut the finished Jello into fun shapes.
Substitutions: Try sugar-free Jello or vanilla yogurt in place of sour cream, keeping in mind the flavor and texture may change. Top with whipped cream if desired.
Other Holidays: Use red, pink, and white for Valentine’s Day; green and white for St. Patrick’s Day; red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July; or orange and white for Halloween. You can even make rainbow Jello with blueberry, lime, lemon, orange, grape, and cherry flavors!

How to Make Christmas Layered Jello

Milk and sugar simmering together in a saucepan.

Step 1. Lightly butter or oil a 9×13 baking dish. To prepare the creamy filling, bring 2 cups of milk to a boil, then stir in 1 cup of sugar until dissolved.

Unflavored gelatin combined with cold water in a mixing bowl.

Step 2. In a small bowl, combine ½ cup cold water with 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin.

Gelatin mixture added to a milk mixture in a saucepan.

Step 3. Add the gelatin mixture to the warm milk and stir to combine. Place the sour cream in a separate bowl, then slowly stir in the milk mixture until smooth.

Sour cream folded into a gelatin mixture in a glass mixing bowl using a whisk.

Step 4. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Cover the bowl and keep the white filling mixture on the counter while preparing the Jello layers.

Red jello prepared in a glass mixing bowl.

Step 5. Prepare the first package of Jello using 1 cup boiling water and ½ cup cold water, stirring until completely dissolved.

Red jello mixture poured into a prepared 9x13 baking pan.

Step 6. Pour the Jello mixture into the prepared 9×13 baking dish and refrigerate until set but still slightly tacky to the touch, about 20-30 minutes. This helps the next layer stick without the colors mixing together.

A sour cream mixture poured evenly on top of the red jello mixture in a 9x13 baking pan.

Step 7. Gently pour 1 ½ cups of the white filling over the set Jello layer. Return the pan to the refrigerator until the white layer is set.

Green jello prepared in a glass mixing bowl using a whisk.

Step 8. Prepare the next package of Jello using 1 cup boiling water and ½ cup cold water, stirring until dissolved.

Green jello poured in an even layer over a sour cream mixture in a prepared 9x13 baking pan.

Step 9. Gently pour the cooled green Jello mixture over the set sour cream layer and refrigerate until slightly tacky. Add another 1 ½ cups of white filling, then repeat with the remaining Jello and filling until all layers are complete.

A piece of layered Jello served on a decorative Christmas plate.

Step 10. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Jello Tips

Don’t Rush the Layers: Make sure each layer is set but still slightly tacky before adding the next. If you pour too soon, the colors can mix together.
Cool Before Pouring: Let each prepared Jello mixture cool before adding it over the white layer so it doesn’t melt the filling underneath.
Pour Gently: Slowly pour each mixture over the back of a spoon to help keep the layers from mixing.
Keep Layers Even: Measure out 1 ½ cups of the white filling for each layer so they are all about the same thickness.
Speed Up Chilling: You can briefly place the pan in the freezer to help each layer set faster. Check every 5 minutes and remove it before the Jello freezes, as freezing can affect the texture.

Storage & Make Ahead

Refrigerator: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also cut the Jello into squares and transfer them to an airtight container.
Make Ahead: This layered Christmas Jello is perfect for preparing 1-2 days before your holiday gathering. Keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing the finished Jello, as it can become watery and lose its texture once thawed.

Layered Christmas Jello in a 9x13 baking pan with slices removed to show layers.

Christmas Jello Recipe FAQ’s

Do you need condensed milk to make layered Jello?

No! My family has always made the creamy white filling with regular milk, sugar, sour cream, unflavored gelatin, and vanilla. No condensed milk is needed!

Why are there bubbles in my Jello layers?

Bubbles can form while stirring or pouring. If you notice any on the surface, gently pop them with a toothpick or the tip of a knife before refrigerating for a smoother finish.

More JELLO Recipes To Try

This Layered Christmas Jello has been a family tradition for years, and I hope it becomes one in your home, too! Whether you’re making it for Christmas dinner or bringing it to a holiday party, it’s always a fun addition to the dessert table.

Tried this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and let me know what you think in the comments! You can also follow me on Pinterest for even more easy, family-friendly recipes.