Red, White and Blue JELLO Cups

These Red, White and Blue JELLO Cups work are perfect for your summer BBQ or get together. Swap out the colors to make them festive for any holiday year round! 

close up of patriotic jello cups with gold stars


 

JELLO Cups

Before today, I hadn’t had JELLO since I was a child. My mother used to make the orange flavor with mandarin oranges mixed in and I couldn’t get enough of it. 

As I’ve gotten older, that same gelatin concoction lost its luster. Now, I’m bringing it back and making it very patriotic with red, white and blue gelatins. Perfect for Memorial Day, 4th of July or Flag Day celebrations! 

angle red, white and blue dessert cups

White JELLO

By far, the most frequently asked question is how to make white JELLO.

JELLO doesn’t have any white flavors, but you can achieve that signature layer using unflavored gelatin and milk. It really is that easy. Unflavored gelatin will be located in the baking aisle near all the other flavors and usually on the top shelf. We add vanilla and sugar to give it a little flavor.

side view of red, white and blue jello shots

How to Make Layered JELLO Cups

Making the layers is easy as long as you take your time. They require setting between each layer so they don’t mix. If you are making them with straight layers, just set them upright. If you want them to be angled, set tall shot glasses in a muffin tin to get the tilt.

  1. You’ll be making each layer at separate times, first start with the blue. Pour into tall, small shot glasses (8) or short, wide glasses (4). Chill until it sets, approximately 20-30 minutes.
  2. After the blue sets, make the white layer, place on top of blue and then set again, another 20-30 minutes.
  3. Lastly, the red, pour in and allow to set.
  4. Garnish with whipped cream, gold star sprinkles or fresh fruit.
how to make angled jello shots

JELLO Shots- The Adult Version

Having an adult only party?? Make your Red, White, and Blue JELLO Cups vodka laced.

For the red and blue JELLO layers, use 1/2 cup boiling water to mix gelatin. Allow to cool before stirring in 1/4 cup vodka. If the liquid is too hot, it will burn off the alcohol, thus negating the purpose of making JELLO shots.

gold spoon in a jello shot

PRO TIP: Use disposable shot glasses with a lid for JELLO shots. Keep them in a cooler to stay cold. 

For boozy fruit, soak fruit in vodka in an airtight container for 12 hours, drain. You can also purchase spiked whipped cream.

close up of whipped cream with gold star sprinkles

Make Ahead & Storage

Easy to make and easy to clean up, they are sure to please a crowd. They can be made up to a day ahead of time, but for best results be sure to garnish with whipped cream and fresh berries, or other fruit, right before serving. 

Store chilled until ready to enjoy.

red, white and blue jello cups for pinterest

More Patriotic Recipes:

A close up of 4th of july cupcakes

Mini 4th of July Cupcakes

5 from 8 votes
These mini cupcakes are dotted with red and blue fireworks and made with one secret ingredient to amp up any boxed cake mix.
See The Recipe!
overhead of cherry pie with stars

Red, White and Blue Cherry Pie

5 from 2 votes
Red, White and Blue Cherry Pie is an easy cherry pie recipe using cookie icing, blueberries and cookie cutters to make a stunning and cute pie perfect for any patriotic holiday!
See The Recipe!
overhead shot of bowl of all american strawberries

All-American Strawberries

5 from 42 votes
Chocolate dipped strawberries sporting an all-American theme!
See The Recipe!
red, white and blue jello shots for pinterest
red white and blue jello cups

Red, White, and Blue JELLO Cups

4.48 from 19 votes
Red, White, and Blue JELLO cups are a simple and festive addition to any 4th of July celebration.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Empty the contents of blue JELLO into a small bowl. Stir for 2 minutes with 1 cup boiling water. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  • Place tall glasses into a muffin tin tilted or on a baking sheet this just makes it easier to move them in and out of the refrigerator.) Equally, divide blue JELLO mixture between four cups. Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes or until it sets.
  • Meanwhile, start preparing white layer by mixing one packet unflavored gelatin in a small bowl with ¼ cup cold milk. Heat remaining milk, ¾ cup, over high heat until just before boiling, remove. Do not scald. Add the sugar and vanilla. Stir until dissolved and mix with cold milk and gelatin mixture. Stir until well mixed and allow to cool.
  • Evenly pour white gelatin over blue layer. Place back into the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes or until it starts to set.
  • Next, mix the cherry JELLO with 1 cup boiling water. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. When white layer has set, equally divide red over the white layer. Return to refrigerator to set for 3-4 hours.
  • Do not garnish until ready to serve, especially if it is a hot day!
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

Notes

Having an adults only party?? Make your Red, White and Blue JELLO Cups vodka laced. To modify, soak fruit in vodka in an airtight container for 12 hours, drain. For red and blue JELLO layers, use only 1/2 cup boiling water to mix gelatin. Allow to cool slightly before stirring in 1/4 cup vodka. You can also purchase alcoholic whipped cream if you so choose.

Nutrition

Calories: 236 kcal, Carbohydrates: 50 g, Protein: 5 g, Fat: 1 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 6 mg, Sodium: 231 mg, Potassium: 80 mg, Sugar: 48 g, Vitamin A: 100 IU, Calcium: 73 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 236
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: JELLO Cups, patriotic recipes, Red white and blue desserts
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Jessica Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and food lover behind Savory Experiments. She is obsessed with butter, salt and bacon and spends all her time in the kitchen and behind a camera. Jessica is a contributor to PopKitchen by Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal Food + Travel and more!

Read More About Jessica

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    These jello cups are so much fun! The colours are perfect for the 4th of July and the layers are so creative!

  2. 5 stars
    I am planning my desserts for July 4th and I added this to my list. It is tasty and easy to make!

  3. 5 stars
    The kids helped make these and absolutely had a great experience in the kitchen truly a fun recipe and family project

    1. It makes four cups. If you use smaller cups, then 8. These are the standard plastic wine cups.

    1. 5 stars
      I made these using condensed milk for the white layer.
      Super yummy and strawberry jello

      1. That sounds great Barbara! I’m glad you enjoyed them and stopped by to tell us about it!

  4. I wish I’d seen these before! Still, I am going to pin them for our next patriotic holiday!

  5. OMG these are perfect!! I haven’t had a jello shot in who knows how long! I am aaaaaaalllll over this!

  6. I’ve always used whipped cream for the middle layer, but now I’ll try this. Pinned it and YUM!

  7. So perfect for the holiday and they look delicious. My kids would love them, I already know. 🙂

  8. I can’t remember the last time I had jello! Probably because jello always equaled sick food to me. This looks good and fun and festive!

  9. These look stunning! I love that they are single serve so it can be implemented at parties and be less messy than an entire dish of dessert!

  10. Oh those are such awesome Red, white and blue cups! So festive and a lot of fun too! I love it!