Back in 2013, I posted a recipe for how to make rainbow jello. After I wrote that post I vowed to never make rainbow jello again because it took so much time. 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 did some experimenting and was able to make this rainbow jello recipe in less than an hour!
This post contains affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a portion of your purchase will go to support this site and help keep the content free. Please read my full disclosure policy here.
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
Step 1: To start with you will add your purple powdered gelatin mix into a bowl.
Step 2: Add 1 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve. (Approximately 2 minutes)
Step 3: Add 1 cup 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.
Step 4: Add 2 – 3 tablespoons of the jello mixture into clear plastic cups. I found it easiest to transfer the cups back and forth by setting all the cups on a metal tray.
Step 5: Freeze the jello cups for 5 – 8 minutes.
While, the jello is setting up, repeat steps 1 – 3 for the next color of jello. When the first layer of jello has set up in the freezer, 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.
Place the cups in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for soft jello and 1 hour for firmer jello.
Since I was able to make each color while the previous layers were setting up, rather than the 30 minutes per layer the first time I made this, the whole process took under an hour. So now, we can have rainbow jello for St. Patrick’s Day or even another Tie Dye Party!

Rainbow Jello
A fun and festive treat to make for a rainbow party or St. Patrick's Day!
Ingredients
- 6 packages 3 ounce jello (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
- 6 cups boiling water
- 6 cups ice cubes
- Clear plastic cups
- Whip cream optional
Instructions
For each layer of jello:
- Dissolve one packet of jello in 1 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve (approximately 2 minutes).
- Add one cup ice cubes and stir until they are melted (approximately 2 minutes).
- Add 2 - 3 tablespoons of the jello mixture to each cup.
- Freeze for 5 - 8 minutes or until set.
- Repeat the above steps, layering each color of jello until you have all six layers completed.
- Place cups in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour until completely set.
Recipe Notes
Optional: Top with whip cream.
Selena says
I love this idea
Laura Silva says
Thanks so much Selena!
Erika says
I am trying this for a party! Do you remember how many cups of rainbow Jell-O were made from those 6 packages? I need to make 50 individual cups :)
Laura Silva says
Erika,
I am so sorry, but I honestly don’t remember. I know each package of jello makes about 2 cups, so you would have a total of about 12 cups of jello. It would also depend on the size cups you use as to how many you could fill. You may want to try to make it in a couple of sheet pans instead and then cut it into squares. That may be a better way to make such a large number of servings.
xo,
Laura