Layered Strawberry Jello Cups
We’re getting ready for Valentine’s Day by celebrating with a whole week of Valentine’s themed parfait recipes! That means every recipe we’re sharing this week will be served in a glass, which is pretty much my favorite way to serve anything – like french fries and pretzel sticks!
I adore parfaits for a few reasons.
1. they are served in glasses. Yes, this is totally obvious, but to me this means less of a mess.
2. they are already made into individual servings.
3. they are made up of layers upon layers of deliciousness.
And our first recipe for Valentine’s Parfait Week is just that – it’s all about the layers!
Layered Strawberry Jello Cups Recipe
If your Valentine is a fan of jello, I think they will be impressed if you make these layered strawberry jello cups! Or can you imagine the look on your kids faces if you were to surprise them with these jello cups?!
Usually I am all about chocolate on Valentine’s Day (just wait, a chocolate parfait will be coming) but jello is just so fun. Does it weird you out that you can mold it into any shape? That’s what I really like about jello!
In terms of Valentine’s Day treats, this one isn’t going to ruin your diet or send your kids into a chocolate induced sugar frenzy. Plus, it’s a great dessert for our non-chocolate loving friends, which is bizarre, how can you not like chocolate?!
Ingredients
- 5 boxes of strawberry jello mix, 3 oz each
- water
- cool whip
- strawberries
Total Time Required
Because each layer needs to set before you can add the next, this recipe takes a minimum of 11 hours, however that is based on estimating how long each layer will take to set. I found that it was easiest to make this recipe over the course of 2 days, just be sure to cover the cups in plastic wrap if they will be sitting in the fridge overnight.
You can easily switch out the strawberry jello for raspberry, mixed berry, or watermelon.. pick your Sweetie’s favorite!
WHAT SIZE GLASSES SHOULD I USE TO MAKE CHAMPAGNE JELLO CUPS?
The glasses I used are mongo BIG, 15 oz! That’s a whole lot of jello in one cup. You could definitely use smaller glasses, like these 5 oz ones I used in this white chocolate raspberry dessert mousse recipe, that way you’ll have more glasses to go around!
Valentine’s Day isn’t complete without mini oreo cheesecakes, maraschino cherry cookies, and peanut butter whipped cream.
Strawberry Jello Cups
Ingredients
- 5 boxes Strawberry Jello mix, 3 oz each
- Water
- 2 cups Cool Whip, plus more for topping (about 2 containers)
- Strawberries, to top each parfait
Instructions
Layer 1:
- Combine 1 cup boiling water in a bowl with a packet of strawberry jello mix. Stir until the mixture is dissolved. Add in one cup of cold water and stir. Evenly divide this mixture among the cups you’ll be using. Refrigerate until set, 1-2 hours.
Layer 2:
- Combine 1 cup boiling water in a bowl with a packet of strawberry jello mix. Stir until the mixture is dissolved. Add in one cup of cold water and stir. Add in 1 cup of cool whip, and stir until mixed. Evenly divide this mixture among the cups you’ll be using, layering on top of the previous jello layer. Separation may occur, causing a lighter and darker layer. Refrigerate until set, 1-2 hours.
Layer 3:
- Combine 1 cup boiling water in a bowl with a packet of strawberry jello mix. Stir until the mixture is dissolved. Add in one cup of cold water and stir. Evenly divide this mixture among the cups you’ll be using. Refrigerate until set, 1-2 hours.
Layer 4:
- Combine 1 cup boiling water in a bowl with a packet of strawberry jello mix. Stir until the mixture is dissolved. Add in one cup of cold water and stir. Add in 1 cup of cool whip, and stir until mixed. Evenly divide this mixture among the cups you’ll be using, layering on top of the previous jello layer. Separation may occur, causing a lighter and darker layer. Refrigerate until set, 1-2 hours.
Layer 5:
- Combine 1 cup boiling water in a bowl with a packet of strawberry jello mix. Stir until the mixture is dissolved. Add in one cup of cold water and stir. Evenly divide this mixture among the cups you’ll be using. Refrigerate until set, 1-2 hours.
- Before serving top each parfait with cool whip and a strawberry.
It’s been so long since I’ve had layered jello! This is such a fun idea!
I love the layers! Time consuming, but well worth it!
yrs ago-jello made a jello called 1 2 3 jello- kind of like this-never knew why they discontinued it- also when I don’t feel good-I just drink the warm jello in a glss.
Even at age 32 I’m obsessed with Jell-O. When I was in HS I would always take jello when it was offered at lunch…haha. Love the look of these layered parfaits. So pretty and perfect for V-day!
I think I will always love jello!!
I’M 67 AND JELLO IS MY FAVORITE. I AM TOLD I MAKE THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
Wooohhooo, you go!
Such a cute idea! I love anything layered :) I love food in glasses too- can’t wait to see what you come up with this week!
Thanks for being excited about parfait week Sherri! :)
These are SO cute!!! I love layered jello and it’s been years since I’ve had some! Great recipe!
Thank you Sheena!
I love layered Jello. I just wish it didn’t take so long. My kids like to ask for jello for dessert all the time, but usually as I’m putting the dinner on the table and then there’s just no time. They’d love this though!
If only jello could magically set in like 3 minutes, that would be great for your kiddos!
I haven’t had this layered jello in forever!!! You are right though…so worth it!!! Love the fun pink layers in these pretty cups!!!
This was my first time making layered jello, I love how it looks!
So very pretty Beth and I’m sure they’re absolutely delicious! Great job and gorgeous pictures too!
Heather
MySweetMission.net
Thanks for the sweet comments Heather!
These are so pretty, Beth! Love them.
Julie, thank you!!
My family always has strawberry Jello of some sort at our holiday celebrations. They would love this version!
Tonia, that’s fun to have a strawberry jello tradition!
My kids would flip for these cute little parfaits! After all, everyone loves Jell-O!
Let me know if you make these cups for them!
You can also mix Jello with hot water.then cold and then blend for.a little bit with mixer. This does a layer also
Beth, I’m coming over right now!! I LOVE jello and these jello cups look so DELICIOUS!! And your photos are gorgeous, girl! :)
Yes, come over! How fun would that be?!
I must be a kid at heart because I want these all to myself!! I love to make layered jello but my layers have never looked as good as yours! Lovely!
It’s all about the patience, haha
Can you imagine if you made these boozy?! OMG. ha. Too much?
Hahaha, do it!!
These jello cups had me at hello! I never would have thought to mix cool whip into jello. SUCH a great idea!
And I love the layering effect the cool whip adds!
These are beautiful, Beth! I love that there is a creamy layer too.
Thank you Andi!
I made these for dessert today and they were an absolute hit! I definitely will make them again and I might try green for St. Patrick’s Day!
Anita, I am so glad you enjoyed them! I think we have a green version up our sleeve for St. Paddy’s Day :)
If I have the larger packages of Jello (8.5 servings) – do I just used half a packet for each layer?
Hi Steph! It all depends on how many cups you are making and how thick you want each layer to be. I suggest just pouring the jello into the cups, making each layer as thick as you want, and if you have left over jello, you could set it in a different container to eat separately or throw it away.
25-30 years ago Jello sold a product called 1-2-3 Jello, which separated the jello into 3 layers. I wish they still had it
This is a very beautiful desert 😋
Can I use a whipping cream instead of cool whip ?
Yes, you can!
When we were kids my mom told us that you had to set jello over night and we couldn’t have any until the next day. I was married for several years before I found out that wasn’t really true. I still feel a little silly for believing that but, hey it worked. We never pestered her for any until the next day.
Haha silly mom secrets!
I make layered jello all the time in less than half the time. Set up the layers in freezer! When i make 7 layer salad it only takes 20 minutes for each layer to set up, then store it in the refrigerator. This has similar thin layers, I’m sure it would work :)
Can these be made in clear plastic cups so they could be used for a classroom party? Or does it need to be glass?
You can definitely use plastic cups!
Cute! I’m going to do them blue and white for a Frozen themed party. We’re doing these instead of cake or cupcakes, and we’ll add some blueberries and a snowflake decoration. Thank you!
Love everything about these! Great job, a lot of effort went into make these beauties.
LOVE this idea – making them today for our family party tomorrow!! I can’t wait to try this for different holidays – thinking St Patty’s green, pastel for Easter, red/white/blue, etc!!!! And I love the “boozey” idea :)
I made these for my elderly neighbors.. they were a big hit, they LOVED them! A TIP… the extra plain jello I just left in the glass measuring cup that I made it in and placed it in the refrigerator. When I was ready for the next layer of plain jello I just microwaved the cup until the jello softened, throughly stired it and then added it to the glasses. It jelled again with no problem. I’m not sure if this would work with the layer with the cool whip included. Thank you for this great idea!
Awesome tip Cheryl!!
Could this be made in a bundt pan and then turned out? Or is it better in individual cups?
Hi Betty! Great question, a bundt pan could be super fun but I am not sure if it would work!
Actually it would work. I have made what is called rainbow ribbon. As you can guess, it has many different colors, and instead of cool whip I used vanilla icecreme. I placed it in a bundt pan. and it was fine. He liked it so much it was a birthday favorite.
So pretty! So time consuming! My m-i-l used to make a ribbon jello with different flavors and and layers of cream cheese and cool whip mixed together. So pretty, tasty, and time consuming. I tried it once. Mine didn’t look like hers. Thank you. I pinned it.
Hi, I was just wondering how many cups you were able to make with that amount of ingredients?
whatever happened to the jello that did this all on its own?
Hi! How many little cups did this recipe make?
I used large cups, but if you had smaller dixie type cups, it would make a lot.
Twhy aren’t you using the speed set recipe? Ice cubes instead of water. Big time saver.
Actually, Jello used to make a product that broke down into layers when it set.
LOL,I was just going to ask if anyone remembers the 1-2-3 Jello that the company made years ago !!! I loved it !!!
Yeah, it was called Jello 1-2-3. I loved it as a kid but I havenT seen it in over 20 years :(. Also as a variation to this recipe, you can use a layer of Jello mixed with plain yogurt in addition to the one mixed with cool whip for a more traditional parfait taste.
Would love this in sugar free jello and sf cool whip
I need to serve 25 guests. how many packages of each jello do I need. using 8 Oz glasses.
Hi Connie! Did you end up making this recipe? If so, how many boxes did you use?
I’m with Mary and Connie. How many servings does this recipe make? You really didn’t answer their questions. I would love to know ahead of time. Thank you
Hi Beverly! It truly depends on the size of glasses / cups you’re using. If you use smaller glasses, then the recipe will make a lot of cups. With the 15 oz glasses I used I made 4 jello cups.
I’m definitely going to try this. I’ve got a granddaughter that loves jello! I think I might surprise her for Valentines Day
I haven’t made this yet, but it sounds awesome.
Thank you.
I love the idea of this recipe, so beautiful. But I’m going to make it, but put a twist on it for adults, maybe add a nice wine or Prosecco to a layer…let you know how it turns out, lol after Valentine’s Day…
I was wondering if you could downsize this recipe and if so what would ingredients be? There’s only me so no need for alot
I would just use 1 box of jello and split it into 2 bowls, for the 2 distinct layers. One layer is jello and the second layer is jello with the cool whip added.
Can you use whipped cream instead of cool whip?
Cool whip is more stable than homemade whipped cream, but you could give it a try!
When we all lived at home my Mom made a rainbow layered jello in a baking dish or pan using different flavors of Jello I don’t remember if she used vanilla ice cream or cool whip. She usually had some kind of jello desserts for us. Miss her it will be 2 yrs in Feb. since she passed.
Can you make all the jello you need for all the jello-only layers and store on the counter, setting the 1st layer in the glasses and putting in the refrigerator? I can see that the mixture of jello + cool whip (can you use dream whip?) would lose the volume if it was done ahead of time but maybe not the jello-only layers? Thanks!
Hi Carille! As long as the jello mixture doesn’t set, then yes, you could leave it on the counter.
I am doing a raspberry pineapple combo for the Chiefs Super Bowl! Wish me luck. I’ll post pictures if it comes out good😂😂 I used to make this all the time when I was a kid growing up ! brings back happy memories! Thank you!
Hello! I want to make this for my church fundraiser and was wondering how many boxes of jello would I need to make 100 cups? For the size, I’m thinking about 5 oz. What do you think?
Hey! I know many people have asked about amounts and sizes. I used 4 of the 6oz boxes of Jell-O and 4 cups of Cool Whip (2 for each of 2 layers and filled 10 of 2 cup Tupperware “disposable” square containers for my son to take to work. It made four layers total and each layer was just a tad over 1/4 cup when I was filling the containers. Wish it would let me post a picture. They turned out beautiful for a more relaxed atmosphere! Hope maybe this helps!