Broken glass Jell-o is a fun recipe for any occasion! Different colors of Jello float in a sour cream and condensed sweetened milk gelatin mixture. It is called “broken glass” because it looks like stained glass when cut into. It’s the perfect no-bake dessert for too-hot-to-handle days!
This classic make-ahead dessert recipe looks lovely on a buffet table and is always a hit at holidays, potlucks, and luncheons! Depending on the event or holiday, you can change the jello flavors to create your color scheme.
Jell-O flavors ( and color) options:
There are so many options you can make with different colors and flavors! Have fun with it 🙂
- Tropical Paradise: Use pineapple, mango, and orange. Dissolve the unflavored gelatin in coconut milk, then top with a condensed milk mixture infused with a hint of lime zest for a refreshing tropical twist.
- Berry Blast: strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry-flavored gelatin for a fruity explosion, complemented by a creamy condensed milk mixture for a delightful balance of flavors.
- Citrus Delight: Choose orange, lemon, and lime-flavored gelatin and accentuate the zesty citrus notes with a touch of lemon juice in the condensed milk layer for a bright and tangy treat.
- Lemon Cream Delight: Alternate layers of lemon-flavored gelatin and creamy vanilla-flavored gelatin to create a delightful contrast. Top it off with a condensed milk mixture infused with a hint of lemon zest for an extra burst of citrus goodness, beautifully complemented by the smooth and creamy texture of the cream layer.
- Christmas colors: green apple, green watermelon, lime, cherry, strawberry, and or raspberry
- Easter: you can use various colors: orange, raspberry, blue raspberry, strawberry, all-pink starburst, peach, lemon, and grape.
- Fall festive: orange, peach, cherry, lime, green apple
- Birthday parties: choose colors to match the theme for the party!
- Fourth of July: raspberry and blue raspberry flavored Jell-O
Broken glass Jello is perfect for any occasion and is one of our go-to summer desserts! It’s great for summertime barbecues, family gatherings, or any special event you have going on. It’s delicious and fun to eat and makes for an eye-catching addition to any dessert table
“Have you ever tried Broken Glass dessert? It’s a classic recipe that has been popular for decades. I have early memories of my mom making broken glass Jell-O for our birthdays and how much we loved it! Doesn’t it look beautiful? It resembles a mosaic or stained glass window. Although it may seem like a lot of work, it’s effortless! It’s delicious and fun to eat and makes for an eye-catching addition to any dessert table for various occasions.
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What is Broken glass Jell-O?
Broken Glass Jell-O (aka Stained Glass Jell-O) consists of different flavors of Jell-O cubes submerged in a condensed milk-gelatin mixture. It chills in the refrigerator until solid and then is cut into squares. It’s so colorful and delicious. When served, it mimics the look of beautiful church windows.
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Ingredients for broken glass jell-o
mix each pack of jello with 1 cup of hot water
- 3 oz lemon Jell-o
- 3 oz orange Jello
- 3 oz raspberry Jello
White Jello
- 2 envelopes Knox original Gelatine unflavored.
- 2 cups of hot water ( or milk)
- 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
Step 1 – set the flavored Jello-o
You’ll need several colorful gelatin packets in different flavors of your choice.
Prepare the first layer: Dissolve one packet of colorful gelatin (flavor of your choice) in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir well until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Then add 1/2 cup of cold water. Stir, then pour into a pan: Pour the mixture into a rectangular pan and let it cool. I made my jello about 1 1/2 inches thick, but you can make them whatever thickness you prefer. Place the pan in the refrigerator to allow the gelatin to set. It usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour.
Repeat the same for each additional flavor of gelatin. I recommend using at least two different flavors.
Step 2 – Make the Sweetened Condensed Milk Mixture
Once the flavored Jell-o is ready, make the sour cream and sweetened condensed mixture. First, mix the unflavored gelatin with 2 cups of hot water or you can also use milk. (It doesn’t need to boil; it’s just hot. I microwaved the milk for 2 minutes) Let the mixture cool a little while you’re doing the next step.
Then, add the sour cream and condensed milk into a large bowl and mix using a hand mixer until well combined.
While mixing, slowly drizzle in the unflavored gelatin with the water and mix to incorporate. Pour the gelatin through a sieve to make sure that no bits of dry gelatin get into the cream. Set aside.
Once all your jello is ready, it’s time to create the broken glass effect. Cut the jello into small blocks that are 1 inch big. Using a flipping spatula, carefully layer half of each color into a deep glass dish (or cups), then pour half of the white jello over it ( it is okay if it breaks a little). Lastly, place the rest of the jello cubes on top and pour the rest of the white jello over it. Ensuring it fills the cracks and crevices.
Step 3 – Chill and Set
Return the broken Jell-o to the refrigerator and let the dessert chill for 2 hours or until the condensed milk layer is set.
Serve!
Top it with whipped heavy cream, white chocolate, fresh fruit, or lemon curd.
Jello Tips
- Do not add too much water to the jello. You want the jello to be firm and hold its shape well without falling apart.
- Make sure you let it set all the way. If you cut it too soon, it will not hold its shape.
- To make this into a lesser-calorie dessert, opt out for sugar-free jello.
If you are using a bundt pan
If you would like to make a tall broken glass jelly-o, double this recipe to fill the bundt pan to the top.
Follow the recipe as written above; layer the jello into a bundt pan. Once the jello is set, fill the sink with hot water. Carefully hold the bundt pan in the hot water for 30 seconds. This will help the jello loosen up, and when you flip it over, the jello won’t tear. Be careful not to hold it for too long, as you don’t want the jello to melt. Hold a large flat plate over the pan, hold the plate and the pan, and then gently flip it over. Serve the broken glass Jell-o immediately. Enjoy!
How to Store Your Jello
To store your jello, cover the broken Jell-o with plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator to keep it chilled to maintain its firm texture.
Broken glass jell-o
Equipment
- hand mixer
- 2 or more conatiners to set the jello in
- a vessel to make the jello in (deep baking tray, cups, bundt pan)
- knife and a spatula
Ingredients
mix each pack of jello with 1 cup of hot water
- 3 oz lemon Jell-o
- 3 oz orange Jello or pineapple
- 3 oz raspberry Jello
White Jello
- 2 envelopes Knox original Gelatine unflavored.
- 2 cups hot water or milk
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
Instructions
set the flavored Jello-o
- you’ll need several colorful gelatin packets in different flavors of your choice. Prepare the first layer: Dissolve one packet of colorful gelatin (flavor of your choice) in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir well until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Then add 1/2 cup of cold water. Stir, then pour into a pan: Pour the mixture into a rectangular pan and let it cool. I made my jello about 1 1/2 inches thick, but you can make them whatever thickness you prefer. Place the pan in the refrigerator to allow the gelatin to set. It usually takes around 30 minutes to an hour.Repeat the same for each additional flavor of gelatin. I recommend using at least two different flavors.
Make the Sweetened Condensed Milk Mixture
- Once the flavored Jell-o is ready, make the sweetened condensed milk mixture. First, mix the unflavored gelatin with 2 cups of hot water (or milk if youd .like a creameir jello) It doesn’t need to boil; it’s just hot. I microwaved the milk for 2 minutes. Let the mixture cool a little while you’re doing the next step. Then, add the sour cream and condensed milk into a large bowl and mix using a hand mixer until well combined. While mixing, slowly drizzle in the unflavored gelatin with the milk and mix to incorporate. Pour the gelatin through a sieve to make sure that no bits of dry gelatin get into the cream. Set aside. Once all your jello is ready, it’s time to create the broken glass effect. Cut the jello into small blocks that are 1 inch big. Using a flipping spatula, carefully layer half of each color into a deep glass dish (or cups), then pour half of the white jello over it ( it is okay if it breaks a little). Lastly, place the rest of the jello cubes on top and pour the rest of the white jello over it. Ensuring it fills the cracks and crevices.
Chill and Set
- Return the broken Jell-o to the refrigerator and let the dessert chill for 2 hours or until the condensed milk layer is set. Serve!Top it with whipped heavy cream, white chocolate, fresh fruit, or lemon curd.
Notes
If you are using a bundt pan
If you would like to make a tall broken glass jelly-o, double this recipe to fill the bundt pan to the top. Follow the recipe as written above; layer the jello into a bundt pan. Once the jello is set, fill the sink with hot water. Carefully hold the bundt pan in the hot water for 30 seconds. This will help the jello loosen up, and when you flip it over, the jello won’t tear. Be careful not to hold it for too long, as you don’t want the jello to melt. Hold a large flat plate over the pan, hold the plate and the pan, and then gently flip it over. Serve the broken glass Jell-o immediately. Enjoy!Like this recipe? Try my other desserts
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