Jello recipes aren’t just for kids. This Star Spangled Layered Finger Jello recipe is a red white and blue dessert great for all ages!
Updated June 28, 2018
I’m sort of a sucker for red, white and blue recipes when it comes to July 4th celebrating. I love a great grilling menu but patriotic colors make me cheery and are great to punctuate the holiday spirit.
Today I have a fun addition to your holiday and summer menus: a Star Spangled Layered Finger Jello recipe! This red white and blue finger jello recipe may be served cut into small squares or rectangles or adorned with miniature edible stars (making the Star Spangled Layered Finger Jello) as shown and cupcake topped that fit the holiday.
The red white and blue dessert jello can be easily picked up to be eaten or eaten with a fork. It is light, cool, fun addition to your party menu and I’m sure your guests will agree!
What Is Finger Jello?
Finger jello, as the name suggests, can be eaten with your fingers. It has extra gelatin added to give it a firmer texture. It can be picked up and eaten without a mess!
How to Make Finger Jello: Is it Difficult to Make?
Finger jello is very easy to make. Making this jello recipe is similar to making regular jello; super easy. It has an extra step of adding unflavored gelatin which makes it firmer.
The steps are simple though there is a waiting period in between adding the layers to allow them to fully set before adding the next layer to keep the colors separate.
How to make White Jello
Sweetened condensed milk, unflavored gelatin and water are all that is needed to make white (delicious) jello! The instructions are in the recipe below.
Is this Finger Jello recipe Gluten-Free?
Yes! It is made with regular jello mix (red and blue), unflavored gelatin, water and sweetened condensed milk.
How Long Does it Take to Make Star Spangled Layered Finger Jello
Making layered jello is easy but does take time. Each layer has to be poured and chilled until it fully sets before adding the next layer. The second and third layer must cool before adding to the prior layer to ensure the colors don’t mix.
The active time of the recipe is short. Three sessions of about 10 minutes spaced between cooling and chilling time. I allocated 7 hours though it might become firm more quickly.
How Long will Finger Jello last?
Kept covered and refrigerated this layered finger jello recipe lasts from 7-10 days.
Over time jello recipes can lose their flavor a bit, can release liquid and take on flavors from the refrigerator if not tightly sealed. It’s always best to eat jello desserts when they are freshly made.
How to Store Finger Jello
Tightly covered in the refrigerator.
NOTE: do not cover the jello with plastic wrap before it has been completed and chilled until firm. If covered before all the layers have chilled, condensation can develop and drip onto the surface of the jello leaving marks.
How to Get Finger Jello out of the Pan
The pan is sprayed with non-stick cooking spray before the jello recipe begins. Running a knife around the outside, making the slices and lifting out with a pie server works great.
Expert TIP: spray the knife with non-stick spray before cutting the jello recipe to make cutting smoother.
Cutting Finger Jello recipes into Different Shapes
Cutting into squares or rectangles is just the start! You can use cookie cutters to make fun shapes like stars too!
TIP: spray the inside of the cookie cutter with non-stick spray before cutting shapes for a cleaner cut.
How to Make Star Spangled Layered Finger Jello – Worth the Wait!
I love the colors of this jello recipe especially with the light coming through the layers. The ruby red is cherry flavor and the ocean blue is berry. The middle sweet creamy white layer is made with sweetened condensed milk.
The recipe is very easy to make though there is waiting time involved for the layers to fully set and to ensure the distinct layers. I found some tricks along my testing batches that are included in the recipe.
A 13-inch by 9-inch baking pan is prepared with non-stick spray. Blue jello is heated with water to dissolve. In parallel two packets of unflavored gelatin are combined with water to dissolve.
Once the jello has dissolved it is removed from the heat. The unflavored gelatin and some cold water are added. The blue jello is poured into the prepared pan and chilled until firm.
The white jello is made with unflavored gelatin, sweetened condensed milk and both cold and boiling water. It cools to room temperature (to not blend with the blue jello), poured on the first layer and chilled until firm.
The top, red layer, is made the same as the blue jello layer. Once cooled to room temperature it’s added and the layered finger jello is chilled until firm or overnight.
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How to Make Start Spangled Layered Finger Jello- Step by Step:
Star Spangled Layered Finger Jello
Finger jello is more stiff than regular jello so can be picked up to eat. It can be cut into smaller sizes or with cookie cutters in addition to squares or small rectangles.
Ingredients
- 1 6-ounce package Berry Blue Jello
- 1 14-ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 6-ounce package Cherry Jello
- 6 1-Tablespoon packets Unflavored Gelatin
- Optional: Wilton Edible Stars , patriotic cupcake toppers
Instructions
- Prepare a 13 by 9-inch baking dish by spraying with non-stick spray and wipe around the bottom and side of the pan with a paper towel to coat evenly.
Layer 1/Bottom (blue layer):
Dissolve 2 packages unflavored gelatin in 1 cup of cold water. Set aside.
In a small saucepan bring 1 cup of water to a boil; add the Berry Blue Jello. Return to a boil, stirring to dissolve the jello and remove from heat.
Add the gelatin mixture and ½ cup cold water to the saucepan and stir to fully combine and dissolve any solids.
- Pour into the prepared pan and place in the refrigerator on a level surface to ensure even layering. Allow to set.
Layer 2 (white jello):
In a small mixing bowl combine ½ cup cold water and 2 packets of gelatin; stir. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the sweetened condensed milk and 1 cup boiling water. Stir to combine.
- Add the gelatin and an additional ½ cup of boiling water. Allow to cool to room temperature (15-20 minute approximately). Note: if this layer is poured onto the first layer prior to cooling it will release some of the jello into the white layer.
Once cooled, pour onto the first layer of blue jello and allow to set in the refrigerator (again on a level surface).
Layer 3/Top (red jello):
Dissolve 2 packages unflavored gelatin in 1 cup of cold water. Set aside.
In a small saucepan bring 1 cup of water to a boil; add the Cherry Jello. Return to a boil, stirring to dissolve the jello and remove from heat.
Add the gelatin mixture and ½ cup cold water to the saucepan and stir to fully combine and dissolve any solids.
Allow to cool to room temperature pour onto the second layer of white jello. Allow to fully set for a few hours or overnight (on a level surface).
Cutting the Layered Finger Jello:
- Spray a sharp knife with non-stick spray and cut the jello into squares or rectangles (spraying with non-stick spray allows smooth cutting); 6 horizontal rows each cut evenly into 5 pieces. Use a metal spatula to life jello out of the pan. Sprinkle with edible stars just before serving.
- Store any extra jello in the pan, covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
- Be sure the pan with the jello is on a flat in the refrigerator to ensure the layers are straight and even.
- Do NOT cover the pan with plastic wrap until it has completely set. Adding plastic wrap over the individual layers will cause condensation as the jello layer cools and will drip on top of the layer.
- Before slicing, coat a sharp knife with non-stick spray for easier slicing.
- The majority of the total time is for cooling.
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
These are so pretty. On top of looking super pretty, I bet they are tasty! Yummy!
Katrina Gehman says
This is awesome. I have some star silicone molds. I have to do this with them.
Lena Burkut says
Coolest. Jello. Ever! I love all the colors and absolutely want to try this myself.
Rachel says
I remember when Jello Jigglers were all the rage and everyone made them for parties. I like the holiday themed one.
Kelly Reci says
Your layered Jell-o is absolutely perfect! How did you get the squares to be so perfect? This makes me and my perfectionism so happy!
Toni Dash says
You know cutting this is super easy. And I spray a sharp knife with non-stick spray so it zips right through.
I agree, the perfection of it is very satisfying!
Reesa Lewandowski says
I’ve never had anything like this before! I would love to try to make it for 4th of July!
Becca Wilson says
This jello dessert looks like it is so good. My kids would really love this!
Amy says
These are so perfectly made! I cannot believe how seamless each layer stacks onto the next!
Danielle Smith says
You always have some of the most creative and decorative food and treats ideas I’ve seen. I love the decor of these. Perfect for the 4th of July.
Bill Sweeney says
What better way to celebrate our independence than with red, white, and blue treats? These look flawless.
Mitch Chaitin says
What a fun recipe! What a festive idea for the coming July 4th holiday. This would look so pretty at a picnic or barbecue!
Melissa Chapman says
Making that jello takes a lot of talent and your July 4th jello looks amazing. You have no mixing of the layers so I will try to recreate that look.
Carol Cassara says
A super easy dessert that people will definitely love. I like that you can eat it with your hands without making a mess! I think I know what to make for dessert this 4th of July or at least what to add to the dessert menu!
Monica says
Only you can manage to make everything (including Jello!) look like absolute perfection! This is another recipe that I totally think that I can swing at home but I know it won’t look like your flawless masterpiece!
Toni Dash says
Monica! Will you please come live at my house and start EVERY day like this for me?! You are too kind. AND you absolutely can do this and make it look like this. The secrets (and they aren’t secret) is making sure the pan is on a flat surface AND making sure the first and second layers are totally set and the next layer is not boiling hot when you pour it in. That’s it. The jello and the refridgerator take care of the rest.
Stacie says
That is so cute! I love how simple and colorful it is. Plus, Jello is always a great summer treat. This is going on my 4th of July table, for sure.
robin rue says
I love that you called it finger jello. Back in the day we called them jello jigglers! My kids are going to love this.
Toni Dash says
Are jello jigglers the same thing? As I was writing this I wondered about the difference but I thought they were more ‘jiggly’. It’s been a looooong time since I’ve had them so don’t fully recall!
Nicole Escat says
Wow! I’m sure kids would love it! That’s a brilliant idea!
Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says
This takes the place of my “treat for the day”! Using jello is ingenious, it just shows the color in a very bright and presentable manner and it’s perfect for a yard fiesta. I’d gladly make some of these any day of the year.
Liz Mays says
Oh these are adorable. They look great with those little flags. I’d love to make some of these.
Amy says
I love the addition of these flags too! The white stars are so pretty too! I wish I had the patience to craft these beautiful dessert.
Pam says
What a fun and patriotic dessert! I love layered desserts like this. They just look so fun.
Jeanine says
These are so amazing! I’m in Canada but would love to do something like this for Canada Day here next year! So much fun and they look delicious!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
These came out great! I love how colorful they are, and I know how cool and tasty jello can be on a hot day.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
These are so cute Toni! I remember the days of wisdom teeth – no fun at all! But these beautiful treats look wonderful. Happy 4th! Pinning 🙂
Toni Dash says
My only memory of my own wisdom teeth was eating a burrito later the same day! She also came down with a case of Strep Throat on post op day 5 which was a reaction to the surgery so says her surgeon so the jello goes on! Happy 4th to you Tricia! Always great to hear from you.
Rosey says
Yeeouch to the wisdom teeth. That’s never fun! This Jello came out so nice though!! I’d love to serve it (or have it served to me, lol) on the 4th!
Susan says
This jello does sound like fun. I feel for your daughter with her wisdom teeth, because i just finally had my lower ones removed on July 1 (the uppers came out probably 50 years ago). So I’ve been living on smoothies and while it started out nice, I got really sick of them after less than two days. Wish I’d thought of jello…
Toni Dash says
Oh Susan I feel for you. Smoothies and milkshakes have been the main faire graduating to yogurt. In my daughter’s case she started getting a sore throat about day 5 post operation and we learned she’d developed a horrible case of Strep Throat in reaction to the surgery. So she went back to eating nothing and almost drinking nothing. We are back to milkshakes until the antibiotics kick in. Here’s hoping you skip this step in your recovery!
Susan says
Thank you, Toni. I seem to be healing very well. I’m sorry your daughter is having to deal with strep throat. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in quickly and clear that up.
Toni Dash says
Thank you too. Tomorrow will be day 3 on the antibiotics so hopefully it will be a turning point! Enjoy your holiday…..with patriotic colored soft foods!