How To Make Rainbow Jello Squares (+ Video!)

These layered Rainbow Jello Squares are SO much fun and make the perfect finger food for kids, playdates, birthday parties, holidays, or any other occasion. Learn how to make rainbow jello squares and watch your kids’ faces light up!

Rainbow jello squares pin image

Jello is the ultimate kid-favorite finger food. So how can you make jello even MORE fun and appealing? 

Make it rainbow, of course!

This rainbow jello recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser because it’s just so much fun to look at! My face lights up when I see it…doesn’t yours? I’m telling you, be prepared because if you make it for a gathering of kids, you can guarantee the adults will flock to it ooohing and aaaahing over these cubes of bright, fun jiggly colors.

My boys LOVE it!

And I especially love how easy they are to make. In fact, they look really complicated and difficult, but they’re really super simple to put together. Make them for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, summer, Christmas…or ANY day!

If you love rainbows, make sure to check out my Rainbow Unicorn Cupcakes, Colorful Rainbow Donuts, or Easy Rainbow Walking Water Experiment.

squares of rainbow jello

Ingredients Needed For Rainbow Jello Squares

Here is a list of ingredients you will need in order to whip up this fun, colorful snack.

  • Jello – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple will work perfectly if you are sticking to this recipe and looking for the full rainbow effect.
  • Unflavored Gelatin – unflavored gelatin does not contain sugar but aids in giving body and texture to your dish while stabilizing your desserts and molded shapes.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk – that white layer is made with this milk and will help make the bright-colored layers of this recipe pop even more.
  • Boiling Water
jello squares on plate

How to Make Rainbow Layered Jello

Just follow these step-by-step instructions and you will be able to serve these super fun treats in no time.

Video

But first, make sure to check out this short video which shows you just how simple the process really is!

Step 1

Spray a 9×13 dish using nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2

Dissolve 1 tsp of unflavored gelatin packet and a packet of Jello in boiling water. Dissolve the unflavored gelatin first then add Jello.

Step 3

Pour the Jello mixture into the bottom of the 9×13 dish and refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.

Step 4

Mix 2 tsp of unflavored gelatin packet to 1 cup of boiling water and dissolve. Add can of condensed milk to the gelatin mixture and let cool while Jello sets up in the refrigerator.

Step 5

Pour 1 cup of condensed milk mixture and make sure it covers the Jello layer completely. Cool for 30 minutes in refrigerator on a level surface.

Step 6

Make a second batch of Jello and gelatin and let cool while the creamy layer sets.

Step 7

Pour the next Jello layer over the creamy layer and cool for 30 minutes on level surface in the refrigerator. Repeat until all layers of Jello and milk are set.

NOTE: You will have to make a second batch of the condensed milk mixture halfway through process.

Step 8

When the final layer of Jello is poured on top, allow the whole dessert to cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

rainbow jello squares on a plate

Rainbow Layered Jello Recipe Tips

As you wait for Jello layers to cool, you may find the white layer trying to set up. If that happens, simply put it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes and stir until it turns into liquid again and proceed as normal.

This recipe makes a LOT of rainbow cubes. It will depend on how large you cut them, I’m talking 50-70 or so! You should be able to make one batch for an entire party!

jello squares on a plate

Possible Variations For Rainbow Jello

Change up the colors to go with whatever occasion or holiday you are celebrating.

For instance, how fun would red, white and blue be for a July 4th celebration? And green, red and white would make a stunning and easy Christmas dessert.

Imagine this in green and white for St. Patrick’s Day as well! Finger foods are great at graduation parties so make the rainbow squares in the school colors of your favorite graduate.

You can choose whatever colors you like which makes this a very versatile dessert. 

Look at these fun options to include colors and flavors.

  • Valentine’s Day – alternate layers of watermelon (pink) and cherry, raspberry, or strawberry jello.
  • Fourth of July – alternate layers of berry blue and cherry, raspberry, or strawberry jello.
  • Halloween – alternate layers of orange jello with grape or black cherry jello mixed with black food coloring.
  • Christmas – alternate layers of lime jello with cherry, raspberry, or strawberry jello or even a layer of pink watermelon jello.
jello squares on a plate

FAQs

Here are some common questions I see from readers about this recipe – and their answers.

How do I store rainbow jello?

You will want to keep any unused portion of the rainbow jello recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Otherwise, make sure you cover it with plastic wrap or cling wrap to keep out the moisture and air.

How long will this recipe stay fresh?

There are a couple of factors to keep in mind if you happen to have leftovers rainbow jello. Typically, jello can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a month. However, with the addition of the sweetened condensed milk to this recipe, the shelf life would be more in the range of 2 – 3 weeks.

Can I make this rainbow jello into shapes?

You sure can! Once the jello sets, simply take different shaped cookie cutters and cut out shapes. But personally, I love the simplicity of the square shape because it allows the layers of the jello to shine on their own.

In addition to all the color combos you can do, you can also have fun with shapes! Think of all the fun shapes you could use in creating your rainbow squares dessert (using pans!).

  • Valentine’s Day – heart-shaped silicone pan
  • Halloween – ghost-shaped pan
  • Birthday Party – number mold for whatever age you are celebrating
  • Flowers – flower mold for spring
  • Easter – egg-shaped or cross-shaped pan
  • St. Patrick’s Day – shamrock-shaped pan
close up of jello squares

More Delicious Kid-Friendly Recipes 

If you are looking for more kid-friendly recipe ideas, check out Spring Colored Deviled Eggs or How to Make Apple Nachos! Or check these fun options as well:

Pin For Later!

rainbow jello squares pin image
rainbow jello squares on plate

How To Make Rainbow Jello Squares (+ Video!)

Yield: One 9 x 13 Sheet Pan

Bright and colorful layers of wiggly, jiggly jello. It's finger-lickin' good!

Ingredients

  • 6 boxes of Jello - red, yellow, orange, blue, green and purple
  • 6 packets of unflavored gelatin
  • 2 cans sweetened condensed milk
  • 8 cups boiling water

Instructions

  1. Prepare your 9 x 13 inch dish by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Add 1 tsp unflavored gelatin to boiling water and dissolve completely. Then add one packet Jello and dissolve completely as well.
  3. Pour the Jello mixture into the 9x13 dish. Put this mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set.
  4. While the Jello mixture sets up in the refrigerator, mix 2 tsp of the unflavored gelatin packet into one cup of boiling water and dissolve. Pour one can of condensed milk to gelatin mixture and let cool.
  5. Remove Jello mixture from refrigerator. Pour one cup of condensed milk mixture over the Jello making sure it covers the Jello layer completely. Cool 30 minutes in refrigerator making sure the pan is level.
  6. Make another batch of Jello and gelatin. Let this mixture cool while the creamy layer is setting again making sure the pan is level.
  7. Pour the second batch of Jello layer over the creamy layer. Put in refrigerator and let cool for another 30 minutes.
  8. Repeat until all layers of Jello and milk mixture are set. NOTE: You will have to make a second batch of the condensed milk mixture halfway through.
  9. Once last layer of Jello is poured on top, put the pan back in the refrigerator to cool for at least an hour.
  10. ENJOY!!!

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