Red, White, and Blue Jello Parfait

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Looking for an easy patriotic dessert? These layered Jello parfaits combine bright colors, creamy filling, and a fun patriotic presentation that everyone loves.

The finished Jello Parfait in a clear glass serving dish decorated with sprinkles.

Four of the finished Jello Parfaits decorated with sprinkles.

Table of Contents

Patriotic Layered Jello Parfait Tips

I love how easy these are to make, just like these festive desserts: Oreo Cream Cheese Truffles and 4th of July Poke Cake. But I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way that I am sharing with you so you can make the perfect dessert the first time.

Stir each flavor of Jell-O until it is completely dissolved. Undissolved gelatin can create a grainy texture.
Let the cherry Jell-O fully set. This is what creates the clean and distinct layers in the dessert.
Make sure the Cool Whip is fully thawed before using it. This helps it blend smoothly into the blue Jell-O.
If you’re serving these outdoors, keep them chilled until the last minute. You may be tempted to put them out since they are so cute, but the whipped topping softens quickly in warm weather

Ingredients & Estimated Cost:

Recipe Cost: $7.90

Per Serving: $0.98

Here are the simple ingredients to make this recipe, along with a few substitution recommendations.

jello parfait ingredients with text overlay

Cherry Jell-O (2 3oz boxes – $1.96): Strawberry or Raspberry Jell-O can also work; the color will just be slightly different.
Blue Jell-O (1 3oz box – $0.98): Any flavor of blue Jell-O will work.
Cool Whip (24 oz – $4.44): Homemade can be used as an alternative, but may not be as stable as store-bought.
Water (3 cups – $0.00): Boiling water is needed to fully dissolve the gelatin.
Maraschino cherries (8 – $0.32): Fresh raspberries or cherries can be used as a substitute.
Sprinkles (2 Tablespoons – $0.20): Add the sprinkles just before serving.

The recipe cost is calculated based on the required amounts and may vary due to fluctuating grocery prices.

How to Make Jello Parfait

Make the layers, add them to the cups, decorate with sprinkles, and serve. Let me show you how easy it is.

Add the cherry Jello to a large bowl. Then add boiling water and stir until the Jello is dissolved.
Stir in two cups of cold water. Then divide the cherry Jello into glass dishes and let it set in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
When the cherry Jello is about set, add the blue gelatin to a large bowl.
Heat 1 cup of water in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until boiling. Slowly add boiling water to gelatin and stir for 1-2 minutes or until completely dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water and stir.
Place the blue Jello in the refrigerator to chill slightly; you don’t want to add warm Jello to the whipped topping.
When the blue Jello is cool enough, slowly add the whipped topping, stirring continuously.
Set the Jell-O and Cool Whip mixture in the fridge to chill for about one hour.
Place the blue Jello mixture in a decorator bag, and place the third container of Cool Whip in another decorator bag.
Pipe the whipped topping mixture onto the cherry Jello. Then pipe the blue Jello mixture onto the whipped topping.
Decorate with additional whipped topping, a cherry, and sprinkles before serving.

a collage showing how to make jello parfaits by adding the layers to the parfait cups and garnishing with a cherry and sprinkles

Recipe FAQs

Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?

Cool Whip is my preference for this recipe, as it is a little more stable, and homemade whipped cream can deflate and become a little watery.

What size cups should I use?

I recommend small, clear cups, parfait glasses, or 8-ounce mason jars.

How long do these last in the refrigerator?

These are best when served fresh. You can place leftovers in the fridge for one day, but the layers may become runny overnight.

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A close up picture of the Jello Parfaits recipe on a clear glass trifle dish.

Patriotic Jello Parfait

Recipe Cost 7.90

Serving Cost 0.98

Author Jess Jankowski

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

This Patriotic Jello Parfait recipe has layers of cherry Jello, a creamy blue Jello mixture, and Cool Whip. They’re topped with a cherry and festive sprinkles.

Servings: 8 people

Prep Time 30

Total Time 4 30

Equipment

mixing bowls
Liquid measuring cup
mixing spoon
Mini trifle dessert bowls
Piping Tip
Disposable decorator bags

Ingredients

2 boxes (3 oz each) Cherry Jell-O
1 box (3 oz each) Blue Jell-O
3 cups boiling water divided
3 cups cold water divided
24 oz Cool Whip, thawed (3, 8-ounce containers)
8 maraschino cherries
2 Tablespoons sprinkles

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

MAKE CHERRY JELLO LAYER:

Add cherry Jello to a large bowl.
Heat 2 cups of water in the microwave for 3-4 minutes or until boiling.
Slowly add boiling water to gelatin and stir for 2-3 minutes or until completely dissolved.
Add 2 cups of cold water and stir.
Divide cherry Jello into glass dishes.
Place in refrigerator to set, at least 2 hours.

MAKE CREAMY BLUE JELLO LAYER:

When cherry Jello is set, or just about set, add the blue gelatin to a large bowl.
Heat 1 cup of water in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until boiling.
Slowly add boiling water to gelatin and stir for 1-2 minutes or until completely dissolved.
Add 1 cup of cold water and stir.
Place the blue Jello in the refrigerator to chill slightly, you don't want to add warm Jello to the whipped topping.
Add 2 containers of Cool Whip to a large bowl and gradually add the whipped topping to the blue Jello, stirring gently after each addition.
After completely combined, place it in the refrigerator to chill until firm, about 1 hour.
After the blue Jello mixture is set, transfer it to a large disposable decorator bag. **see notes

ASSEMBLE PARFAITS:

Transfer the third container of Cool Whip to another bag.
Snip off the tip of the bag and pipe the whipped topping onto the cherry Jello.
Then snip off the tip of the bag with the blue Jello mixture and pipe it onto the whipped topping.
Decorate with additional whipped topping, a cherry, and sprinkles.

SERVE:

Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
These jello parfaits should be assembled the same day you are serving them.

Notes

Storage Tips

Serve: Assemble the Jello parfaits the same day you are assembling them. You could get away with making them the night before for a lunchtime BBQ.
Store: Leftovers can be stored overnight, but they may become runny, and the sprinkles may bleed.
Freeze: This recipe does not freeze well.

Recipe Tips

Stir each flavor of Jell-O until it is completely dissolved.
Let the cherry Jell-O fully set.
Make sure the Cool Whip is fully thawed before using it.
If you’re serving these outdoors, keep them chilled until the last minute.

Nutrition

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