Red, White, and Blue Jello Squares

By Megan Cooley

Updated 10/29/18

4th of July Dessert, Jello Recipe, 4th of July Jello, red white and blue dessert, red white and blue
Megan Cooley
  • Total: 20 mins
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Chill time: 7 hrs
  • Yield: 36 to 48 bars (36 servings)

Looking for an eye-catching 4th of July dessert for kids? Make red, white, and blue finger Jell-O bars.

Jell-O's bright colors make this treat pop out on any dessert table, and it's familiar flavor is sure to be a hit with children.

This Jello recipe is easy to make, but a bit time consuming because you must wait for each layer to set before adding the next. (To save time, make three layers instead of the seven layers you'll find instructions for here.) The effort is worth it, though, when you see the reaction to this patriotic treat.

Tools You'll Need: You will need a 9-inch by 13-inch glass baking dish, a small mixing bowl, a measuring cup with a pouring spout, and a whisk, in addition to the ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 7 cups water (boiling, divided)
  • 2 (3-ounce) packages Jell-O (cherry-flavored)
  • 2 (3-ounce) packages Jell-O (blueberry-flavored)
  • 7 packets gelatin (unflavored)
  • 2 cans sweetened condensed milk (divided)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Combine 1 cup of boiling water with 1 package of cherry Jell-O and 1 package of unflavored gelatin. Whisk together until dissolved.

  3. Pour into the baking dish and place in refrigerator for 1 hour or until the Jell-O is firm. Wash and dry the whisk and bowl.

  4. Once the red layer is firm, combine 1 packet of unflavored gelatin with 1 cup boiling water in the mixing bowl, whisking until dissolved.

  5. Add 1/2 of one of the cans of condensed milk and stir until combined.

  6. Pour the milk mixture into the measuring cup with the spout and set it in the refrigerator for 5 minutes to let it cool a bit. (You don't want to pour hot liquid on top of another layer of Jell-O at any time during the process. Doing so will turn the white layer pink or light blue.)
    Note: each layer is made up of about 1 1/2 cups of liquid.

  7. Remove the baking dish and the cup of milk mixture from the refrigerator and gently pour the milk mixture on top of the red Jell-O layer.

  8. Place the baking dish in the refrigerator for another hour.

  9. Next, combine 1 cup of boiling water with package of blueberry Jell-O and 1 package of unflavored gelatin. Whisk together until dissolved.

  10. Place the hot Jell-O into the measuring cup and cool it in the fridge for a few minutes.

  11. Once cool, pour it on top of the other layers.

  12. Continue repeating the steps until you have the following layers, from bottom to top: red, white, blue, white, red, white, blue.
    Note: You will be left with an extra half can of condensed milk.

  13. Once the final layer is firm, slice the Jell-O into bars or squares.

  14. Remove them carefully from the baking dish with a small, metal spatula and serve them either cold or at room temperature.

  15. Enjoy!