12 Magical Jell-O Recipes That Will Make Grandma Proud
She was onto something with this hack.
PSA: There’s a store-bought hack that is ready to transform all of your desserts. No, I’m not talking about boxed cake mix (right now, at least)—I’m talking about Jell-O. Stay with me: There’s a reason why your grandma used Jell-O in all of her go-to desserts! It’s an easy shortcut ingredient to add flavor, texture, and a vibrant color to almost any treat. I’m not just talking about the nostalgic favorite Jell-O cake —I’ve got cheesecakes, layered cakes, dessert lasagna, and even sour patch grapes (a Delish favorite) here. Don’t worry, this list wouldn’t be complete without a few Jell-O shot recipes. 😉
So grab those Jell-O boxes that have been hiding out in your pantry, and incorporate them into these 12 easy, delicious recipes that are sure to make grandma proud.
Piña Colada Lasagna
At Delish, we ask important questions. Groundbreaking queries like: Can we turn that into a lasagna? We're already obsessed with samoa lasagna, peanut butter lasagna, and banana pudding lasagna, so creating a version that transforms your favorite beach drink into a summery layered dessert felt like an obvious next step. Enter this easy no-bake piña colada lasagna.
Get the Piña Colada Lasagna recipe.
Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake
If you liked strawberry shortcake ice cream bars growing up, then you’ll love this strawberry crunch poke cake. The ice cream truck treat took its cues from classic strawberry shortcake, but then added what we all know is the best part: that crunchy coating.
Get the Strawberry Crunch Poke Cake recipe.
Orange Creamsicle Bars
These triple-layered orange bars have us feeling all nostalgic for the classic frozen Popsicle treat that inspired them. But we won’t linger on it for too long because, just like the inspiration, these bars are irresistibly good. They’re creamy, dreamy, and the perfect blend of citrusy orange and vanilla bean flavor paired with a graham cracker crust.
Get the Orange Creamsicle Bars recipe.
Jell-O Cake
This Jell-O cake is a delicious and easy dessert that was all the rage at potlucks and parties in the '70s and '80s, and we want to bring it back. It's giving nostalgia, kitsch, and strawberry shortcake vibes, and we are here for it.
Get the Jell-O Cake recipe.
Strawberry-Pretzel Tart
Also known as strawberry pretzel salad, this nostalgic dessert strikes the perfect balance between whimsical and classic, sweet and salty. It might sound a little strange, but trust us—it just works. The pretzel crust is a surprisingly ideal complement to the rich cream cheese layer and the sweet strawberries and Jell-O.
Get the Strawberry-Pretzel Tart recipe.
Sour Patch Grapes
Put down that bag of candy! This magical recipe transforms green grapes into a sweet-and-sour snack that tastes suspiciously like Sour Patch Kids.
Get the Sour Patch Grapes recipe.
Creamsicle Cheesecake
More of a Golden Oreo fan? Meet creamsicle cheesecake, which uses Golden Oreos as the crust, and not gonna lie, we might make all our future cheesecakes this way.
Get the Creamsicle Cheesecake recipe.
Sour Patch Jell-O Shots
Just like the classic candy, these shots are at first perfectly sour, then they're delightfully sweet. Want more sour-sweet fun? Try our boozy sour watermelon slushies next!
Get the Sour Patch Jell-O Shots recipe.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Jell-O Shots
Everyone loves a chocolate-covered strawberry, and turning them into Jell-O shots makes them even better! Use your favorite liquor for the Jell-O shots. We went with vodka because it's our fave, but tequila would be amazing too!
Get the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Jell-O Shots recipe.
Orange Creamsicle Truffles
Lately, we've been obsessed with everything creamsicle. (Thanks to this insane creamsicle cheesecake!) We're back at it with these super-easy, 5-ingredient truffles. Pro tip: To help them maintain their rounded shape, store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
Get the Orange Creamsicle Truffles recipe.
Champagne Jell-O Shots
These elegant treats are a classy twist on the traditional Jell-O shot, and are perfect for any festive occasion—not just college parties. Made with Champagne, lemonade, vodka, and powdered gelatin, they offer a delightful high-low pairing, much like serving caviar with potato chips.
Get the Champagne Jell-O shots recipe.
Creamsicle Ombre Cake
It's surprisingly easy to frost a cake with this ombre effect: Simply split your frosting into 4 bowls and color each using increasingly more food dye than the last. Pipe them around the cake, then use a bench scraper or offset spatula to smooth them out. Hot tip: Don't skip refrigerating the crumb coat! It makes it a LOT easier to frost once it's been chilled.
Get the Creamsicle Ombre Cake recipe.
