Easy Rainbow Jello Recipe

Updated on June 5, 2024

Rainbow Jello Recipe. Create this rainbow jello recipe in under an hour. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or a rainbow party.

Back in 2013, I posted a recipe for how to make rainbow jello, the long-set method. After I wrote that post, I vowed never to make rainbow jello again because it took so much time.

How to Make Rainbow Jello

It was not difficult to make, but I knew there had to be a better way to make this recipe quickly (or at least faster than the entire day it took me the first time around). So, I experimented and made this rainbow jello recipe in less than an hour!

Ingredients:

• 6 Packages of 3 Oz. Jello
  • Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple – any flavors
• 6 Cups Hot Water
• 6 Cups Ice
• Clear Plastic Cups

Colors and Flavors of Jello

Many of the flavors below also come in sugar-free varieties.

• ❤️ Red – Cherry, Cranberry, Raspberry, Strawberry Banana, Strawberry
• 🧡 Orange – Apricot, Mango, Orange
• 💛 Yellow – Island Pineapple, Lemon
• 💚 Green – Lime
• 💙 Blue – Berry Blue
• 💜 Purple – Black Cherry, Grape
• 💗 Pink – Watermelon

Make Quickset Jello

Start by adding the purple powdered gelatin mix into a bowl.

Add 1 cup boiling water. Then, stir to dissolve. (Approximately 2 minutes)

Add 1 cup of ice cubes and stir until they are melted. (Approximately 2 minutes)

Note: If your jello has a lot of foam on top or any remaining unmelted ice cubes, skim them off the top.

RELATED: More Rainbow Projects

Freeze Jello to Set

Add 2 – 3 tablespoons of the jello mixture into clear plastic cups. I found it easiest to transfer the cups back and forth to the freezer by setting them on a metal tray.

Freeze the jello cups for 5 – 8 minutes.

Repeat Steps for Each Additional Color

While you wait for the jello to set up, repeat steps 1 – 3 for the next color of the jello.

Take the jello out of the freezer after 5 – 8 minutes, and then add your next layer of jello – repeating steps 4 and 5. 

Repeat this process until you have all six colors of jello in your cups. 

Refrigerate Jello Cups

Place the cups in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for soft jello and 1 hour for firmer jello.

Since I could make each color while the previous layers were setting up, the process took under an hour rather than the 30 minutes per layer the first time I made this.

So now, we can have rainbow jello for St. Patrick’s Day or another Tie Dye Party!

Other Layered Jello Recipes

• Valentine’s Day – Watermelon and Strawberry
• Easter – Lime, Lemon, and Berry Blue
• 4th of July – Raspberry and Berry Blue
• Back to School – Strawberry, Pineapple, and Orange
• Halloween – Orange and Grape or Grape and Lime
• Thanksgiving – Lemon and Orange
• Christmas – Cherry and Lime

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can you mix jello colors?
  You can combine two powdered mixes to create any color you like. However, ensure each layer is set before adding the next color to create a layered look.
• How long does jello take to set before adding another layer?
  Using the quick set method above, you should allow 5-8 minutes per layer before adding the next layer.
• Can you put food coloring in jello?
  Yes! You can add food coloring to jello. If you use clear, unflavored gelatin, the jello will not be sweet or flavored, only the color you add. In a layered jello like this, adding one or two layers of food-colored gelatin should work fine since you have many layers with flavors.
• How do you make jello more firm?
  Use only boiling water and no cold water. The quick set method produces softer jello and doesn’t work well if you want to be able to cut the jello into squares.
• How long can jello be stored in the refrigerator?
  If stored properly, jello can last seven to ten days in the fridge. That makes this a perfect recipe to make ahead of a party or event. Store jello in a covered container.

Continue to Content

Rainbow Jello Recipe

Yield: 12

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Create this rainbow jello recipe in under an hour. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day or a rainbow party.

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Ingredients

• Six 3-ounce Packages Jello, any flavors
• 6 Cups Boiling Water
• 6 Cups Ice
• Whip Cream, Optional

Instructions

1. Dissolve one packet of jello in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir to dissolve (approximately 2 minutes).

1. Add one cup of ice cubes and stir until they are melted (approximately 2 minutes).
2. Add 2 - 3 tablespoons of the jello mixture to each cup.
3. Freeze for 5 - 8 minutes or until set.
4. Repeat the above steps, layering each color of jello until you have all six layers completed.
5. Place cups in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour until completely set.

Notes

You can use any flavors of jello that you like for this recipe. Purchase 1 box each of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 167Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 203mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 0gSugar: 36gProtein: 3.3g

Nutrition values are estimates only. Please read my full disclosure policy.

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