Broken Glass Jello

The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.

Our Broken Glass Jello or Stained Glass Jello is a vintage dessert dressed up for Christmas. Grab the kids because they’ll love making this recipe with you!

This recipe costs approximately $5.02 to make. It makes twenty-four servings for about $0.20 per serving.

For more fun, Christmas-themed desserts, check out our 50 Best Christmas Cookies and Treats compilation.

Stained Glass Jello is so fun to make for the holidays. The festive colors that look like church windows or a mosaic are beautiful on your dessert table.

After making the Jello cubes, they are then topped with a sweetened gelatin mixture. Once it sets in the fridge, you get the mosaic look in the dessert.

This light and sweet dessert is one that kids and adults love. You can make this and have more time for other items on your list.

While we used red and green for this Christmas version, you can easily sub out the Jello flavors to match whatever color scheme you need. Think red and pink for Valentine’s Day. Orange and Purple for Halloween. Red and Blue for the Fourth of July, you get the idea!

While this vintage recipe looks complex, it is actually super simple. We love getting our kids involved with making this Stained Glass Jello recipe!

A close up picture of the finished Broken Glass Jello Recipe cut into squares.

Ingredients & Estimated Cost:

Recipe Cost: $5.02

Per Serving: $0.20

2 boxes lime gelatin – $1.04
2 boxes cherry gelatin – $1.04
4 cups boiling water – $0.00
2 (.25 oz) envelopes of unflavored gelatin – $1.00
2 cups hot water – $0.00
14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk – $1.94

To learn more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

All of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How to make Stained Glass Jello

First, lightly spray two 13×9 pans with cooking spray and then set them aside.
Next, combine two boxes of lime gelatin with two cups of boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved.
Pour the lime gelatin into one of the pans.
Then, repeat the steps with the cherry gelatin.
Place both pans in the fridge to set for one to two hours.
Lightly spray another 13×9-inch glass dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
Stir the unflavored gelatin and two cups of hot water until completely dissolved. Then mix in the sweetened condensed milk.
Allow the bowl to sit for about twenty minutes.
Then, remove the gelatin from the fridge and cut it into 1-inch squares.
Evenly place the Jello cubes in the prepared 13×9-inch pan.
Pour the cooled milk and gelatin mixture over the flavored cubes into the pan. Set it in the fridge to set for at least four hours.
Finally, remove the dish from the fridge and slice the Jello into bars to serve.

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

A picture collage showing how to make this recipe.

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

Any flavor of gelatin can be used. We just chose Jello with Christmas colors.
To make a smaller batch, use square pans instead of the 13×9 for the flavored gelatin. Also, use one box of gelatin and one cup of boiling water.
The recipe can also be made in a bundt pan.

Storage Tips

SERVE: You can keep the Jello out for about 90 minutes before it needs to be covered and refrigerated.

STORE: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to one week.

FREEZE: This recipe does not freeze well, so we do not recommend freezing it.

Recipe FAQs

Why is my Jello rubbery on the bottom?

This typically happens because the Jello powder was not dissolved in hot water before pouring it into the dish. Therefore, ensure the water is hot before adding the gelatin powder and wholly dissolved before pouring it into the dish to set in the refrigerator.

Do you cover Jello when you put it in the fridge?

Jello does not have to be covered while you place it in the fridge to set. However, when storing leftover Jello in the refrigerator, we recommend covering it to help it stay fresh.

Why is my Jello not setting up?

If you are having issues with the Jello setting up, it is also probably due to the water not being hot enough when mixed in the gelatin powder. And if the powder is not entirely dissolved in hot water, it will not be set properly in the fridge.

Stained Glass Jello on a white serving platter.

Get Kids Involved

Ages 2-3: A fun counting activity could be asking your little one to help count the number of Jello cubes they help you put in the baking dish before pouring the sweetened gelatin mixture over the cubes.

Ages 4-5: Your child can mix the sweetened condensed milk and gelatin. They can also pour this mixture over the Jello cubes.

Ages 6-8: While guiding your child’s hands, teach them to cut the green and red Jello into cubes to place in the 9×13-inch baking dish.

Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.

Ages 12+: Let them prepare the whole recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Budget Tips

This vintage dessert is a highly affordable dessert to bring to any holiday party, potluck, or family gathering. It serves a crowd for about $5.00!

More Christmas Recipes

Like it? Save for later!

Pin For Later