14 Easy Desserts That Start with a Box of Jell-O
Each one is a delicious blast from the past.
Don't underestimate that box of Jell-O sitting in your pantry. It just might be the secret ingredient behind some of the easiest, prettiest desserts! Yes, these Jell-O dessert recipes prove that there is so much more to the retro dish than meets the eye. In fact, it’s one of the most versatile shortcut ingredients to keep around the house. You can soak it into cakes, mix it with fruits, or even serve it straight!
Here, you'll find classic recipes like easy poke cakes, no-bake pies, cheesecakes, Jell-O salad, and more. Think layers of bright, citrusy sweetness topped with whipped cream. If you like something with a little more texture, strawberry pretzel salad is the perfect combo of smooth-sweet and salty-crunch any time of year. And when the holidays roll around, try a festive holiday treat like Ree Drummond's red, green, and white finger Jell-O.
Some options elevate boxed cake mixes while others mix it from scratch with fresh fruit juice and gelatin powder. The best part of all is that many of these are no-bake desserts. So whether you've got too much in the oven or don't want to turn it on at all (and still want to make a summer dessert), Jell-O is the way to go!
Strawberry Delight
This retro dessert has really stood the test of time. Strawberry gelatin gives the fluffy filling its signature pink color and helps create the glossy strawberry topping, all layered over a buttery graham cracker crust.
Get the Strawberry Delight recipe.
Mango Cheesecake
One bite is full of tropical flavor! Use unflavored gelatin to help the luscious mango and cream cheese filling set without ever turning on the oven. The crust made from graham crackers and macadamia nuts will add the perfect buttery crunch.
Get the Mango Cheesecake recipe.
Panna Cotta
Here’s an impressive no-bake dessert! The creamy, Italian treat gets its signature silky, jiggly texture from unflavored gelatin. Once chilled, it's topped with a vibrant raspberry sauce and fresh berries.
Get the Panna Cotta recipe.
Strawberry Poke Cake
Hence the name, “poke” this cake all over and soak it in sweet strawberry gelatin. The result? Bright pink ribbons of flavor and an incredibly moist texture in every bite.
Get Ree’s Strawberry Poke Cake recipe.
Red, White, and Blue Berry Dessert
Layers of strawberry and blueberry gelatin studded with fresh berries are stacked with fluffy sweetened cream cheese and slices of buttery pound cake, creating colorful patriotic stripes in every slice.
No-Bake Cranberry Pie
For this pie, unflavored gelatin lets the creamy cranberry-orange filling set to the perfect sliceable texture. It’s all nestled inside a buttery gingersnap crust that doesn't require any baking.
Get Ree’s No-Bake Cranberry Pie recipe.
Champagne Gelatin Dessert
Served in coupe glasses, sparkling wine gelatin is topped with a silky honey-vanilla panna cotta, creating an elegant layered dessert that's great for NYE, bridal showers, or any celebration.
Get the Champagne Gelatin Dessert recipe.
Christmas Poke Cake
Made with a boxed cake mix and gelatin, every slice reveals cheerful Christmas colors tucked inside. A fluffy whipped cream topping and holiday sprinkles make it just as fun to decorate as it is to eat.
Get Ree’s Christmas Poke Cake recipe.
Homemade Marshmallows
Transform a handful of pantry staples into the pillowy vanilla treat that’s perfect for hot chocolate, s'mores, or snacking straight from the container. Unflavored gelatin is the secret behind the irresistibly soft, fluffy texture.
Get the Homemade Marshmallows recipe.
Jell-O Cake
Turn a simple boxed cake into something extraordinary with some raspberry Jell-O! It's a classic poke cake that turns super moist and almost pudding-like once it sets.
Get the Jell-O Cake recipe.
No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
No-bake cheesecakes are the perfect dessert when you just don't feel like turning on the oven. Here, Jell-O provides a burst of berry flavor and helps stabilize the filling so you don't need to bake it.
Get the No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Okay, "salad" might be a bit of a stretch with this fan favorite 😂. You have a salty, crunchy pretzel crust topped with a cream cheese filling layer and sweet strawberry Jell-O.
Get the Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe.
Jell-O Mold
If you're headed off to a party of any kind, make this retro mold and prepare for everyone to get super excited! They'll probably talk about their grandmas while they help themselves to a second helping.
Get the Jell-O Mold recipe.
Christmas Finger Jell-O
Ree puts a festive spin on the classic finger jello recipe. Layers of red, green, and white Jell-O are poured into a pan and left to set. Once it’s ready, cut the pretty treat into bite-sized squares!
Get Ree’s Christmas Finger Jell-O recipe.
Grandma’s Best Desserts Will Take You Way Back
Apple Crumble
The Sweetest Tailgate Desserts to End Game Day
Chocolate Buttercream
