Recipe: Seven Layer Finger Jell-O

First, let me state the obvious.

I typically don’t want to eat a dessert with the word finger in it.

But that might be just me.

I’m gathering the word finger is in there because you cut these into squares and can conceivably eat them with your fingers.  Even if they are a little wiggly.  You know, like Jell-O is prone to be.

Layered Jell-O desserts are generally a royal pain in the you know where.  They are super easy to make, but it’s a time thing.  You have to make and chill each layer separately.  So between 15-20 minutes was needed for each of the seven layers you see here.  It wasn’t a h-u-g-e deal because we were in the kitchen making other things for Valentine’s Day the night before, but consider yourself forewarned.  The kids love it though, and that’s really enough for me.

Once you figure out your schedule to make a layered Jell-O dessert, they’re fun to serve.  They’re pretty.  The kids love them.  And it’s practically guilt-free.  Don’t get hung up on the red layers.  Make green ones for St. Patrick’s day.  Rainbow layers for a rainbow party.  Pastel layers to celebrate spring.  Blue layers for a baby shower.  Use the concept and unleash that wicked imagination of yours.  I think a rainbow layered one would fit right into our bi-annual Rainbow Cake parties.  We have made a slightly different version for Fourth of July parties of years’ past (see this uber-short, ancient post here).

And is it me, or does Jell-O totally remind you of your childhood?  Which is pretty cool in and of itself.

Go get yourself a few boxes of your favorite colors, and layer up a fun little dessert.  For a holiday.  Or because it’s Thursday.  Or any reason in between.

Will be back here Sunday night.  Have yourself an awesome little weekend.  We plan to do exactly the same.

Seven Layer Finger Jello
Recipe from the 1979 Arlington Elementary School PTA cookbook via Food Librarian

4 pkg. 3 oz Jello (for the Valentine’s Day one, I used cherry, black cherry, raspberry, and watermelon)
4 pkg. Knox unflavored gelatin
1 can sweetened condensed milk

1. Mix 1 pkg flavored jello with 1/2 pkg of unflavored gelatin. Add 1 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Cool to room temp and pour into 9 x 13 glass pan. Refrigerate for 15 minutes (and make sure your refrig is level!)

2. Mix 1 can sweetened condensed milk with 1 cup boiling water. In a small bowl, sprinkle 2 pkg unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water. Let stand a few minutes and then add 1/2 c boiling water to dissolve gelatin; add to milk mixture and stir to combine. Cool to room temp and pour 1 cup of milk mixture over first layer of jello. Refrig for 15 minutes.

3. Repeat for next three flavors. Let jello set. Cut and serve!

Print it!