Red, White, and Blue Jell-O Stars aka Patriotic Jello Stars: layers of red, white and blue gelatin make up this colorful and fun recipe to serve for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, or for any patriotic holiday!
If you have been reading from early on, then you know that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday! Mainly because my birthday is the day before and I ALWAYS thought the fireworks were for me. Still do! LOL Ok, I know it’s not actually true, but my birthday just isn’t complete without them.
Of course, with the 4th of July comes festive red, white, and blue food. I started it off with these White Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies. This year, I’ve made these really fun Jell-O stars out of different colored Jell-O flavors. Previously they had seven layers instead of three. You can find that complete recipe below the recipe card if you’re interested.
I know you’re probably thinking, “What flavor is the white Jell-O? I’ve never seen white Jello.” Well, neither had I, so I was asking the same thing! It’s actually a layer of sweetened condensed milk and water mixed with unflavored gelatin.
I knew I had to make these beautiful Jell-O stars. My kids went nuts for Jell-O Jigglers when they were little. I think your kids (even your adult “kids”) will like these, too!
SAVE THIS RED, WHITE, AND BLUE JELLO RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!
Ingredients for Patriotic Jell-O Stars
You only need five simple ingredients to make these fun treats! Gather together these things:
- 3-oz package of Berry Blue Jell-O (or any flavored blue gelatin)
- 3-oz package of Cherry Jell-O (again, you can use different flavors as long as its red)
- You can use sugar-free jello if desired
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 3 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
- Water (as directed in the recipe card and directions)
How to make Three Layered Patriotic Jell-O
This recipe uses three layers: red, white, and blue. It takes a little time, but I promise it’s not hard to make!
My original recipe used two layers each of the red and blue and three layers of white, pictured below.
You can find that complete recipe below the updated recipe card.
I changed the current recipe to 3 layers so that it would be easier to make, as it is a bit difficult removing shapes made with a cookie cutter in the seven layers. Though you could just cut them into squares and they’ll look pretty awesome, too.
First, spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and remove any excess with a paper towel.
First Layer- Blue Jell-O:
In a medium bowl, mix one package of the Berry Blue Jell-O with 1 ¼ teaspoons of unflavored gelatin. Add 1 cup of boiling water and stir until all the gelatin dissolves completely. Pour this blue jello layer into the baking dish and refrigerate for 20 minutes until the layer is completely set.
Second Layer- Condensed Milk:
In a separate mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of boiling water with the sweetened condensed milk and set it aside. Pour 1/4 cup of cold water into a small bowl, then sprinkle 2 packets of unflavored gelatin over the top. Let it stand for 2 minutes or until the gelatin blooms (looks grainy.)
Add ½ cup boiling water to the gelatin and stir until the gelatin completely dissolves. Add this mixture to the condensed milk mixture and stir to combine. Set it aside and let it come to room temperature.
After the blue layer of Jell-O has set, pour the condensed milk mixture carefully over the blue layer and refrigerate again. Let sit in the fridge for 15 minutes or until the milk layer is set.
Third Layer- Red Jell-O:
Mix the box of Cherry Jello with 1 1/4 teaspoons of unflavored gelatin and 1 cup boiling water. Allow it to cool to room temperature before pouring it over the previous chilled layers. Place pan into fridge and allow to set for at least 20 minutes before cutting and removing.
Now you’re ready to use the star cookie cutter!
How to cut Patriotic Jell-O Stars
I LOVED the way this fun dessert looked. The colored layers are just SO cool! Here’s how to do it:
I found it easiest to place the cookie cutter in a cup of hot water and then dry it off before using as it made the Jell-O easier to cut. Be sure to cut completely through ALL layers; otherwise, you may have trouble removing them from the pan.
Helpful Tips for Making Layered Jell-O Stars
These jello stars are a delicious treat. I love the flavors together! They just take a bit of time to make. You can do a few things to make this process go smoothly.
- Make sure you always place your baking dish on a level shelf so the layers will be even as they set up.
- My suggestion would be to cut the shapes you want from the middle and cut the edges into rectangles or squares. I really think that these will be a hit at your 4th of July party!
How to store leftover Patriotic Jell-O Stars
Keep these stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7-10 days!
Can you make this patriotic dessert ahead of time?
Gelatin desserts can be made well in advance, which is nice since these jello stars take a bit of time to make! Make them a day or two in advance, and they will be ready for your Fourth of July party!
Red, White, and Blue Recipes
Knowing what to make come holiday time can be a real stressor. Let these recipes help you with that!
- Patriotic Pinwheels Star Cookies
- Game Day Jelly Shots
- Patriotic Rice Krispie Treat Stars
- Patriotic Poke Cake
- 4th of July Strawberries
This recipe is courtesy of Our Best Bites.
4th of July Jell-O Stars
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Ingredients
- 3 ounces Berry Blue Jell-O blue raspberry gelatin
- 3 ounces Cherry Jell-O
- 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 3 packets unflavored gelatin divided
- 2 ½ cups boiling water separated
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
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Spray a 9 X 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and remove the excess with a paper towel.
Blue Layer
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In a medium bowl, mix one package of the Berry Blue Jell-O with 1 1/4 teaspoons of unflavored gelatin. Add 1 cup of boiling water and stir, mixing until all gelatin has dissolved.
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Pour the contents into the prepared baking dish and refrigerate for 20 minutes, until layer is completely set. Make sure the shelf you set the dish on is level so that the layers will be even as you refrigerate.
White (Milk) Layer
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In another medium bowl, mix 1 cup of boiling water with the 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk.
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In a small bowl, place 1/4 cup cold water and sprinkle 2 packets of the unflavored gelatin over the top. Let it stand for a couple minutes, until the gelatin looks grainy.
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Add 1/2 cup boiling water to the bowl and stir until gelatin dissolves completely.
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Add this mixture to the condensed milk mixture and stir to combine. Set aside and let the contents come to room temperature.
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After the blue layer has set in the refrigerator, pour the condensed milk mixture carefully over it and refrigerate again. Allow it to sit in the fridge for about 20 minutes to set.
Red Layer
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Prepare the red layer by mixing the box of Cherry Jell-O with 1 1/4 teaspoons of unflavored gelatin. Pour in 1 cup boiling water. Allow it to come to room temperature before pouring it over the milk layer. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before cutting or removing from pan.
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Once the last layer is set, dip star shaped cookie cutters in a bowl of hot water and dried before cutting into jello. There is a chance that the bottom blue layer may not come out with the cookie cutter. If that happens, just gently and carefully remove it with a sharp knife and add it to the cutout.
Notes
I recommend putting a piece of tape on one end of your pan, so that you consistently put that end into the fridge first when chilling.
Nutritional information has been calculated for 12 squares of equal size as the shape of the stars are different and there will also be scraps left to eat in the pan after the cutouts.
I found it easiest to place the cookie cutter in a cup of hot water and then dry it off before using as it made the Jell-O easier to cut.
NOTE – the original recipe with 7 layers has been revised with ingredient amounts and directions now using just three layers.
The original 7 layer recipe can be found in the post under this recipe card.
The cookie cutter my be swallowed up by the thickness of the layers which could result in the bottom layer of blue not being completely cut.
Be sure to cut completely through ALL layers otherwise you may have trouble removing them from the pan.
Nutrition
This post was originally published 6/30/2012. It has been updated in format and with pictures on 6/15/23.
Below is the original recipe for the 7 layers of jello.
INGREDIENTS
2- 3-ounce packages Berry Blue Jell-O
2- 3-ounce packages Cherry Jell-O
14 ounces Sweetened condensed milk
5 Packets unflavored gelatin
Water as directed (boiling and cold water)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and remove the excess with a paper towel.
2. In a medium bowl, mix one package of the Berry Blue Jello with 1 ¼ teaspoons of unflavored gelatin.
Add one cup of boiling water and stir, mixing until all gelatin has dissolved. Pour the contents into the prepared baking dish and refrigerate for 20 minutes, until layer is completely set. Make sure the shelf that you set the dish on is level so that the layers will be even as you refrigerate. Clean your mixing bowl as you’ll be using it again.
3. Meanwhile, in another mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of boiling water with the can of the sweetened condensed milk.
4. In a small bowl, place 1/2 cup cold water and sprinkle 2 packets of the unflavored gelatin over the top. Let stand for 2-3 minutes, until the gelatin looks grainy. Add 1/2 cup boiling water to the bowl and stir until gelatin dissolves completely. Add this mixture to the condensed milk mixture and stir to combine. Set aside and let the contents come to room temperature.
5. After the blue layer of jello has set, pour 1 cup of the condensed milk mixture carefully over the blue layer and refrigerate again. Let sit in the fridge for 15 minutes or until the milk layer has set.
6. As soon as you place the pan into the fridge, prepare the next layer, the red layer, by mixing 1 box of the Cherry Jell-O with 1 1/4 teaspoons of unflavored gelatin and 1 cup boiling water. Allow it to come to room temperature before pouring it over the previous chilled layers. If you begin this step as soon as you return the pan to the fridge each time after a milk layer, the mixture should be room temperature by the time you’re ready to pour. This way you won’t have to worry about it being hot and melting the chilled Jell-O. Pour over the milk layer and refrigerate.
7. Repeat with the milk layer, then blue Jell-O, milk layer, then cherry Jell-O. There will be a total of 7 layers – 4 being the flavored Jell-O and 3 being the milk.
8. Once the last layer has set, cut into cubes or use cookie cutters to make different shapes. Know that if using cookie cutters, that the Jell-O may be too high to cut all the way through with them.
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