How To Make Jello Boxed From Scratch Easy Instructions

Jump to Recipe For how to make Jello from a box or homemade, check out this article that breaks down the steps so that anyone can do it! Fortunately, making Jell-O is simple even when making it from scratch- just follow these directions and you’ll have a fruity dessert in no time! The classic gelatin dessert that everyone loves! Jiggly, fruity Jell-O is an easy classic dessert that’s loved by everyone! Probably one of the simplest desserts in the world, Jello is also one of the most famous. It has even been called “America’s Most Famous Dessert.” While many of us connect Jell-O with our childhoods, it has been around for quite a bit longer than any of us! As early as 1845, people began experimenting with gelatin as a treat. It wasn’t until 1899 that it really took off as a delicious dessert, though.

Jump to:5 Easy Steps to Make Jello From the Box Tips for Making Jello Set Faster: How to Make Homemade Jello How to Make Vegan Jello Variations & Additions 📋 Recipe 💬 Comments

By 1900 Jell-O was officially on the market and by 1902 had already made $250,000 in sales! Over 100 years later, this simple dessert continues to keep shelves and pantries well-stocked. You’re probably not here for a history lesson on Jello though, you are here to learn how to make your own J-e-l-l-o at home. Keep reading to learn the easiest steps to make Jell-O from a box or homemade and don’t forget to read to the bottom for ideas on how to take your Jello to the next level. 5 Easy Steps to Make Jello From the Box While the steps for making Jell-O are on the box you pick up in the store, you never know when you may need to confirm those directions. Things get lost in the cupboard and sometimes that includes boxes. If you ever find yourself in a predicament with a lone brown pack of an unknown Jell-O flavor in the pantry, follow these simple steps to get the perfect pan of your surprise flavor.

What you will need: 1 cup Liquid Measuring CupBoiling WaterCold WaterMedium-sized Mixing Bowl (preferably glass or metal)Mixing Spoon9x9 Cake Pan or other mold(s) How to make Jello from the box: 1234 Pour Jell-O mix into a medium mixing bowl.Add 1 cup of boiling water to the mix.Stir until the powdered Jell-O has completely dissolved (about 2 minutes).Add 1 cup of cold water to the bowl and stir.Pour Jell-O into pan or mold and refrigerate uncovered until firm (about 4 hours). Serve your Jell-O plain or add a dollop of homemade whipped cream or cool-whip for a truly American dessert! Tips for Making Jello Set Faster: Even though Jell-O is super simple to make, it does take some planning to make sure it is ready when you need it. If you find yourself needing a last-minute dessert and don’t have the full four hours to let it set, try this tip for helping it set faster. Use Less Hot Water & Add Ice-Cubes Use ¾ cup boiling water to dissolve the mix (instead of 1 cup).Add ½ cup of ice cubes to the 1 cup of cold water – this will help the gelatin cool down and begin to set during the mixing process.As soon as the gelatin begins to thicken, remove any leftover ice cubes and pour the mix into the pan.Place the pan in the refrigerator to continue setting. It will still take about 2 hours to firm up, so you will still need to plan ahead. Use Individual Dessert Dishes If you are taking the Jello as a dessert and need it to set within an hour, try placing it in individual molds or pans. Small ramekins are great for making individual desserts for each person and will set much quicker than a full pan. Refrigerate the Jell-O Uncovered Jell-O sets faster when it is left uncovered. Therefore, it is suggested to leave it uncovered for the quickest results. If you prefer to cover it, loosely place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the pan. Do Not Freeze Jello While it may be tempting to pop the Jell-O in the freezer to firm up faster, don’t do it. It goes from setting to freezing quite quickly. Unfortunately, once gelatin has frozen it is pretty much ruined. You can’t eat gelatin frozen and when you try to thaw it out it goes from frozen to a mushy gel with no in-between. How to Make Homemade Jello While the Jell-O brand has cornered the market on ready-to-go flavored gelatin, it doesn’t mean you can’t make your own homemade gelatin dessert that is just as easy as the ready flavored packets. Jell-O is simply gelatin that has been mixed with flavoring. However, gelatin can be purchased in its original unflavored form. If you have made jam or jelly before, you have probably used this form of gelatin (or gelatine). The fun part of making your own homemade version is you can make any flavor you want! Some even think the taste is better with the homemade version because the flavor from the fruit juice is more prominent than the powdered flavoring. What you will need Medium mixing bowl (preferably glass or metal)Measuring cupsFruit juice of choice (almost any fruit juice will work, except for pineapple juice as it does not firm up with the gelatin). Cold waterHot water (almost boiling)Unflavored gelatinOptional sweetener of choice: sugar, honey, agave nectar, stevia, monk fruit Steps for Making Homemade Jello Add ¼ cup cold water into a bowl and pour 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin over it. Whisk together until it begins to thicken.Add ¼ cup hot water to the bowl and continue to stir (the gelatin will become more liquid).Slowly add 1 ½ cups of fruit juice (use one flavor or mix flavors) to the bowl while slowly stirring.Taste the gelatin mix and see if it is sweet enough. If needed, slowly add your favorite sweetener of choice. Begin with a ½ teaspoon and add more as needed.Once you have reached the desired sweetness, pour the gelatin into your desired pan or mold and place it in the refrigerator to set. How to Make Vegan Jello Many people love Jello because it is a low-calorie and fat-free treat. It even has collagen in it that offers many health benefits. However, gelatin is an animal byproduct. Therefore, those who are vegan or even vegetarian are unable to enjoy this dessert. Vegans and vegetarians alike can still enjoy a similar tasty treat though by using agar powder or carrageenan. Follow the directions above to make homemade Jell-O and simply replace the tablespoon of gelatin with 2 teaspoons of agar powder or 2 ounces (¼ cup) of carrageenan. Medical Note: Carrageenan is banned for human consumption in Europe, and has been linked to harmful gastrointestinal effects and cancer. Please read more about this product before choosing to use it.

Variations & Additions Ready to enhance your Jello? Try these tasty additions to take your Jell-O beyond the basics. Whether using the Jell-O brand or homemade gelatin, follow the ideas below for fun variations on America’s most famous dessert. Fruit Jello While you can add any fruit Jell-O, many fruits are known to float in Jell-O. According to The History of Jell-O, the best floating fruits are sliced apples, bananas, peaches, pears, and strawberries. Sections of peeled oranges and even grapefruit also work well. If you want an extra touch of sweetness, canned fruits such as mandarin oranges or fruit cocktail in light syrup are also great choices. To add texture, taste, and nutrition, simply add 1-2 cups of any fruit to your favorite Jell-O flavor. If using a fruit that floats, simply stir in the fruit before pouring the gelatin into your pan. Denser fruits may not float the same as others, but you can still stir them in before pouring the mix into the pan. Another option is to layer them on the bottom of the pan and then pour the gelatin on top. Jello Cakes Since gelatin will form to any shape it is put into to cool, you can use any pan of your choice. For a throwback to a 1950s style dessert, use a Bundt pan to create a Jell-o cake. Add an extra flair of fun by layering fruit on the bottom of the pan or even layering the cake with different flavors/colors of gelatin. Jello Molds Beyond a cake mold, you can make themed gelatin desserts using plastic molds. These are great for themed parties or celebrations! Plastic molds can be purchased in all shapes and sizes from craft or cakes stores, or even ordered online. If you don’t have individual molds, you can make “Jell-O jigglers” using cookie cutters. Let the Jell-O set in a 9x9 pan and then use cookie cutters to cut out individual shapes. Dip the cookie cutters in warm water between each cut to get the most distinct shape. Jello Shots While a shot glass may not be a fancy mold, a plastic shot “glass” is a classic way to make Jello an adult favorite. You can even make Jell-O shot jigglers following the directions above. Just make sure everyone taking part in the fun is 21 and over and don’t leave anything lying around that the kids may mistake for a child-friendly treat. Layered Jello Make a colorful Jello dessert by layering different flavors. This option takes some additional planning for time, but it is just as simple as one flavor. Choose which flavor or color you want on the bottom of the pan. If you are using a mold, such as a Bundt pan that you will flip to remove the Jello from, this will be the color on top. Prepare the Jello or homemade gelatin as above and pour into the pan. Let it cool and fully set to a firm texture. Prepare the next layer. Make sure it has cooled down before pouring over the top, so it doesn’t melt the first layer. Return to the refrigerator to firm up. Continue to follow these steps for all the layers. Jello Desserts Jell-O can also be a tasty addition to different desserts! There are Jell-O pies, Jell-O candy grapes, Jello salad- the choices are endless. If you want to make a dessert that features Jell-O, my white chocolate Raspberry Jell-O cake is heavenly! Whatever form or flavor(s) you choose the most important thing to remember is - there is always room for Jello! Tell us about the wonderful Jello desserts you like to make by leaving a comment below!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

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Print Recipe Leave A Comment Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It! 4.89 from 9 reviews

How To Make Jell-O: Homemade Recipe (+ Boxed Instructions)

For how to make Jello from a box or homemade, check out this article that breaks down the steps so that anyone can do it! Fortunately, making Jell-O is simple even when making it from scratch- just follow these directions and you’ll have a fruity dessert in no time!

Author | Angela

Servings: 4 servings Calories: 49kcal Prep 2 minutes Cooking 0 minutes Setting Time 2 hours Total Time 2 hours 2 minutes

Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ ¼ cup cold water▢ 1 tablespoon gelatin (unflavored)▢ ¼ cup hot water▢ 1 ½ cups fruit juice (of choice, except for pineapple juice)▢ ½ teaspoon sweetener (of choice, add gradually)

InstructionsAdd ¼ cup cold water into a bowl and pour 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin over it. Whisk together until it begins to thicken.¼ cup cold water, 1 tablespoon gelatinAdd ¼ cup hot water to the bowl and continue to stir (the gelatin will become more liquid).¼ cup hot waterSlowly add 1 ½ cups of fruit juice (use one flavor or mix flavors) to the bowl while slowly stirring.1 ½ cups fruit juiceTaste the gelatin mix and see if it is sweet enough. If needed, slowly add your favorite sweetener of choice. Begin with a ½ teaspoon and add more as needed.½ teaspoon sweetenerOnce you have reached the desired sweetness, pour the gelatin into your desired pan or mold and place it in the refrigerator to set. Equipment You May NeedMixing BowlMeasuring CupsSilicone Whisk NutritionCalories: 49kcal (2%) | Carbohydrates: 11g (4%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 94mg (3%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 9g (10%) | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 8mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%) Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love! homemade jell-o, How To Make Jell-O Course Dessert Recipes, Fruit Desserts, SnackCuisine AmericanAngela @ BakeItWithLove.comAngela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma’s kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love! bakeitwithlove.com/about/

Jiggly, fruity Jell-O is an easy classic dessert that’s loved by everyone!

Probably one of the simplest desserts in the world, Jello is also one of the most famous. It has even been called “America’s Most Famous Dessert.”

While many of us connect Jell-O with our childhoods, it has been around for quite a bit longer than any of us! As early as 1845, people began experimenting with gelatin as a treat. It wasn’t until 1899 that it really took off as a delicious dessert, though.

By 1900 Jell-O was officially on the market and by 1902 had already made $250,000 in sales! Over 100 years later, this simple dessert continues to keep shelves and pantries well-stocked.

You’re probably not here for a history lesson on Jello though, you are here to learn how to make your own J-e-l-l-o at home. Keep reading to learn the easiest steps to make Jell-O from a box or homemade and don’t forget to read to the bottom for ideas on how to take your Jello to the next level.

5 Easy Steps to Make Jello From the Box

While the steps for making Jell-O are on the box you pick up in the store, you never know when you may need to confirm those directions. Things get lost in the cupboard and sometimes that includes boxes.

If you ever find yourself in a predicament with a lone brown pack of an unknown Jell-O flavor in the pantry, follow these simple steps to get the perfect pan of your surprise flavor.

What you will need:

1 cup Liquid Measuring CupBoiling WaterCold WaterMedium-sized Mixing Bowl (preferably glass or metal)Mixing Spoon9x9 Cake Pan or other mold(s)

How to make Jello from the box:

Pour Jell-O mix into a medium mixing bowl.Add 1 cup of boiling water to the mix.Stir until the powdered Jell-O has completely dissolved (about 2 minutes).Add 1 cup of cold water to the bowl and stir.Pour Jell-O into pan or mold and refrigerate uncovered until firm (about 4 hours).

Serve your Jell-O plain or add a dollop of homemade whipped cream or cool-whip for a truly American dessert!

Tips for Making Jello Set Faster:

Even though Jell-O is super simple to make, it does take some planning to make sure it is ready when you need it. If you find yourself needing a last-minute dessert and don’t have the full four hours to let it set, try this tip for helping it set faster.

Use Less Hot Water & Add Ice-Cubes

Use ¾ cup boiling water to dissolve the mix (instead of 1 cup).Add ½ cup of ice cubes to the 1 cup of cold water – this will help the gelatin cool down and begin to set during the mixing process.As soon as the gelatin begins to thicken, remove any leftover ice cubes and pour the mix into the pan.Place the pan in the refrigerator to continue setting. It will still take about 2 hours to firm up, so you will still need to plan ahead.

Use Individual Dessert Dishes If you are taking the Jello as a dessert and need it to set within an hour, try placing it in individual molds or pans. Small ramekins are great for making individual desserts for each person and will set much quicker than a full pan.

Refrigerate the Jell-O Uncovered Jell-O sets faster when it is left uncovered. Therefore, it is suggested to leave it uncovered for the quickest results.

If you prefer to cover it, loosely place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the pan.

Do Not Freeze Jello

While it may be tempting to pop the Jell-O in the freezer to firm up faster, don’t do it. It goes from setting to freezing quite quickly.

Unfortunately, once gelatin has frozen it is pretty much ruined. You can’t eat gelatin frozen and when you try to thaw it out it goes from frozen to a mushy gel with no in-between.

How to Make Homemade Jello

While the Jell-O brand has cornered the market on ready-to-go flavored gelatin, it doesn’t mean you can’t make your own homemade gelatin dessert that is just as easy as the ready flavored packets.

Jell-O is simply gelatin that has been mixed with flavoring. However, gelatin can be purchased in its original unflavored form.

If you have made jam or jelly before, you have probably used this form of gelatin (or gelatine).

The fun part of making your own homemade version is you can make any flavor you want! Some even think the taste is better with the homemade version because the flavor from the fruit juice is more prominent than the powdered flavoring.

What you will need

Medium mixing bowl (preferably glass or metal)Measuring cupsFruit juice of choice (almost any fruit juice will work, except for pineapple juice as it does not firm up with the gelatin). Cold waterHot water (almost boiling)Unflavored gelatinOptional sweetener of choice: sugar, honey, agave nectar, stevia, monk fruit

Steps for Making Homemade Jello

Add ¼ cup cold water into a bowl and pour 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin over it. Whisk together until it begins to thicken.Add ¼ cup hot water to the bowl and continue to stir (the gelatin will become more liquid).Slowly add 1 ½ cups of fruit juice (use one flavor or mix flavors) to the bowl while slowly stirring.Taste the gelatin mix and see if it is sweet enough. If needed, slowly add your favorite sweetener of choice. Begin with a ½ teaspoon and add more as needed.Once you have reached the desired sweetness, pour the gelatin into your desired pan or mold and place it in the refrigerator to set.

How to Make Vegan Jello

Many people love Jello because it is a low-calorie and fat-free treat. It even has collagen in it that offers many health benefits.

However, gelatin is an animal byproduct. Therefore, those who are vegan or even vegetarian are unable to enjoy this dessert.

Vegans and vegetarians alike can still enjoy a similar tasty treat though by using agar powder or carrageenan. Follow the directions above to make homemade Jell-O and simply replace the tablespoon of gelatin with 2 teaspoons of agar powder or 2 ounces (¼ cup) of carrageenan.

Medical Note: Carrageenan is banned for human consumption in Europe, and has been linked to harmful gastrointestinal effects and cancer. Please read more about this product before choosing to use it.

Variations & Additions

Ready to enhance your Jello? Try these tasty additions to take your Jell-O beyond the basics.

Whether using the Jell-O brand or homemade gelatin, follow the ideas below for fun variations on America’s most famous dessert.

Fruit Jello

While you can add any fruit Jell-O, many fruits are known to float in Jell-O. According to The History of Jell-O, the best floating fruits are sliced apples, bananas, peaches, pears, and strawberries.

Sections of peeled oranges and even grapefruit also work well. If you want an extra touch of sweetness, canned fruits such as mandarin oranges or fruit cocktail in light syrup are also great choices.

To add texture, taste, and nutrition, simply add 1-2 cups of any fruit to your favorite Jell-O flavor. If using a fruit that floats, simply stir in the fruit before pouring the gelatin into your pan.

Denser fruits may not float the same as others, but you can still stir them in before pouring the mix into the pan. Another option is to layer them on the bottom of the pan and then pour the gelatin on top.

Jello Cakes

Since gelatin will form to any shape it is put into to cool, you can use any pan of your choice. For a throwback to a 1950s style dessert, use a Bundt pan to create a Jell-o cake.

Add an extra flair of fun by layering fruit on the bottom of the pan or even layering the cake with different flavors/colors of gelatin.

Jello Molds

Beyond a cake mold, you can make themed gelatin desserts using plastic molds. These are great for themed parties or celebrations!

Plastic molds can be purchased in all shapes and sizes from craft or cakes stores, or even ordered online. If you don’t have individual molds, you can make “Jell-O jigglers” using cookie cutters.

Let the Jell-O set in a 9x9 pan and then use cookie cutters to cut out individual shapes. Dip the cookie cutters in warm water between each cut to get the most distinct shape.

Jello Shots

While a shot glass may not be a fancy mold, a plastic shot “glass” is a classic way to make Jello an adult favorite. You can even make Jell-O shot jigglers following the directions above.

Just make sure everyone taking part in the fun is 21 and over and don’t leave anything lying around that the kids may mistake for a child-friendly treat.

Layered Jello

Make a colorful Jello dessert by layering different flavors. This option takes some additional planning for time, but it is just as simple as one flavor.

Choose which flavor or color you want on the bottom of the pan. If you are using a mold, such as a Bundt pan that you will flip to remove the Jello from, this will be the color on top.

Prepare the Jello or homemade gelatin as above and pour into the pan. Let it cool and fully set to a firm texture.

Prepare the next layer. Make sure it has cooled down before pouring over the top, so it doesn’t melt the first layer. Return to the refrigerator to firm up. Continue to follow these steps for all the layers.

Jello Desserts

Jell-O can also be a tasty addition to different desserts! There are Jell-O pies, Jell-O candy grapes, Jello salad- the choices are endless.

If you want to make a dessert that features Jell-O, my white chocolate Raspberry Jell-O cake is heavenly!

Whatever form or flavor(s) you choose the most important thing to remember is - there is always room for Jello! Tell us about the wonderful Jello desserts you like to make by leaving a comment below!

📋 Recipe

Print Recipe Leave A Comment Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It! 4.89 from 9 reviews

How To Make Jell-O: Homemade Recipe (+ Boxed Instructions)

Author | Angela

Servings: 4 servings Calories: 49kcal Prep 2 minutes Cooking 0 minutes Setting Time 2 hours Total Time 2 hours 2 minutes

Angela @ BakeItWithLove.comAngela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma’s kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love! bakeitwithlove.com/about/

Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!

4.89 from 9 reviews

How To Make Jell-O: Homemade Recipe (+ Boxed Instructions)

Author | Angela

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 49kcal

Prep 2 minutes

Cooking 0 minutes

Setting Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 2 minutes

Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ ¼ cup cold water▢ 1 tablespoon gelatin (unflavored)▢ ¼ cup hot water▢ 1 ½ cups fruit juice (of choice, except for pineapple juice)▢ ½ teaspoon sweetener (of choice, add gradually)

Equipment You May NeedMixing BowlMeasuring CupsSilicone Whisk

Nutrition

Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!

Course Dessert Recipes, Fruit Desserts, SnackCuisine American

US CustomaryMetric

5 Easy Steps to Make Jello From the Box#

What you will need:#

How to make Jello from the box:#

Tips for Making Jello Set Faster:#

Use Less Hot Water & Add Ice-Cubes#

Do Not Freeze Jello#

How to Make Homemade Jello#

What you will need#

Steps for Making Homemade Jello#

How to Make Vegan Jello#

Variations & Additions#

Fruit Jello#

Jello Cakes#

Jello Molds#

Jello Shots#

Layered Jello#

Jello Desserts#

📋 Recipe#

How To Make Jell-O: Homemade Recipe (+ Boxed Instructions)#

Nutrition#

5 Easy Steps to Make Jello From the Box

What you will need:

How to make Jello from the box:

Tips for Making Jello Set Faster:

Use Less Hot Water & Add Ice-Cubes

Do Not Freeze Jello

How to Make Homemade Jello

What you will need

Steps for Making Homemade Jello

How to Make Vegan Jello

Variations & Additions

Fruit Jello

Jello Cakes

Jello Molds

Jello Shots

Layered Jello

Jello Desserts

📋 Recipe

How To Make Jell-O: Homemade Recipe (+ Boxed Instructions)

Nutrition