These Jello cups are pretty simple to assemble and have a creamy white layer made from sweetened condensed milk. You do need time for them to set, so plan accordingly. They're served in individual cups and can be made ahead.
Course Dessert, sweet snacks
Cuisine American
Keyword patriotic jello cups, red white blue jello cups
Arrange dessert cups on a tray or baking sheet that will fit in your refrigerator. I use 2-ounce clear disposable glasses, about 20.
Blue layer:
In a medium bowl, dissolve 4 ounces berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. It's important to dissolve it well. Add 1 cup cold water and stir to combine.
Divide the mixture evenly among the dessert cups, filling each about one-third full.
Refrigerate until mostly set but still slightly jiggly, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
White layer:
In a medium bowl, sprinkle 5 teaspoons unflavored gelatin over ½ cup + 1 teaspoon cold water. Let stand for 3 to 5 minutes until softened. See Notes below.
Add 1 cup boiling water and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
Whisk in 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can) until smooth. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes. It should no longer feel warm but still be pourable.
Carefully divide the white mixture among the cups, pouring it over the blue layer.
Return the cups to the refrigerator and chill until mostly set, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Red layer:
In another medium bowl, dissolve 4 ounces red Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved.
Add 1 cup cold water and stir well. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes before using.
Carefully pour the red gelatin over the white layer, dividing it evenly among the cups.
Refrigerate until fully set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
To serve:
Before serving, top each cup with whipped cream or Cool Whip topping and decorate with sprinkles.
Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
Important: Unflavored gelatin needs to absorb cold water before it's heated. This process, called blooming, helps it dissolve evenly and prevents lumps. Flavored gelatin mixes are formulated differently and are designed to be dissolved directly in boiling water before adding cold water.Layering tip: If you're unsure whether a layer is ready, gently touch the surface with a fingertip. It should feel set and leave no residue on your finger, but still have a slight wobble underneath. This helps the layers adhere to each other while staying distinct. If in doubt, let each layer fully solidify before pouring the next one. They might not adhere as much, but you'll make sure to get clean and defined colored stripes.