Introduction

This Easy Layered Christmas Jello is a festive, colorful dessert that combines tart lime and sweet cherry flavors with creamy layers and a touch of pineapple. It’s simple to prepare and perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you want a light, refreshing treat.

The image shows a three-layered square jelly dessert on a white plate with green sprinkles scattered lightly around. The bottom layer is a bright green jelly, smooth and translucent. Above it is a white creamy layer, thick and opaque, sitting evenly on the green base. The top layer is a deep red jelly, also firm and glossy, covering the entire surface. On top of the red jelly, there is a swirl of white whipped cream with a bright red cherry placed in the center. The dessert is placed on a white marbled surface with soft bokeh lights in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

6 oz lime Jell-O
6 oz cherry or raspberry Jell-O
1 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup whipped topping or 1/2 cup whipped heavy cream
2 cups boiling water (divided)
2 cups cold water (divided)
Whipped cream (for topping)
Lime zest (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Dissolve the lime Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Add 1 cup cold water, then mix in the crushed pineapple and chopped nuts. Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch dish and chill until fully set, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 2: Beat the softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped topping until fully blended. Spread this creamy layer evenly over the set lime Jello and chill for another 30 minutes.
Step 3: Dissolve the cherry or raspberry Jell-O in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until dissolved. Add 1 cup cold water and let it cool to room temperature. Carefully pour the red Jello over the cream cheese layer. Chill again for 1 to 2 hours until fully set.
Step 4: Once set, cut the layered Jello into squares. Top each piece with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of lime zest before serving.

Tips & Variations

For an extra festive touch, add red and green colored mini marshmallows or chopped fresh strawberries to the layers.
If you prefer a more stable cream layer, chill the cream cheese mixture longer before adding the Jello on top.
Use your favorite nuts or omit them for a nut-free dessert.

Storage

Store the layered Jello covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled until just before serving for the best texture. If needed, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving to soften slightly.

How to Serve

There are three square jelly desserts on a long white plate, each with three layers: a bottom green layer, a middle creamy white layer, and a top bright red layer. On top of each jelly square is a fluffy white whipped cream swirl decorated with red, green, and white sprinkles. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with two forks and a red-and-white striped cloth in the background. A small white bowl with red stripes holds more sprinkles at the back right side of the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, fresh pineapple works well as long as it is finely crushed and drained to avoid adding too much liquid, which can affect the Jello setting.

Can I make this dessert ahead of time?

Absolutely! This layered Jello can be made a day in advance and kept refrigerated, making it a convenient option for holiday planning.

Easy Layered Christmas Jello Recipe

Print Recipe

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This Easy Layered Christmas Jello is a festive, colorful dessert perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring a tangy lime layer with crushed pineapple and nuts, a creamy middle layer of whipped cream and cream cheese, and a vibrant cherry or raspberry top layer, this no-bake treat combines refreshing flavors and textures to delight your guests.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Jello Layers

6 oz lime Jell-O
6 oz cherry or raspberry Jell-O
2 cups boiling water (divided)
2 cups cold water (divided)

Filling

1 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup whipped topping or 1/2 cup whipped heavy cream

Garnish

Whipped cream (for topping)
Lime zest (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Lime Jello Layer: Dissolve the lime Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water, then mix in the well-drained crushed pineapple and chopped nuts (if using). Pour this mixture into a 9×13-inch dish and chill in the refrigerator until fully set, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped topping or whipped heavy cream until fully blended. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the set lime Jello layer. Return the dish to the refrigerator and chill for another 30 minutes to allow the layer to firm up.
Prepare the Cherry or Raspberry Jello Layer: Dissolve the cherry or raspberry Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water and stir. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before carefully pouring it over the cream cheese layer to prevent mixing. Chill again for 1 to 2 hours until this top layer is fully set.
Serve: Once all layers are firm, cut the layered Jello into squares. Top each serving with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of lime zest for garnish before serving.

Notes

Ensure the top Jello layer is cooled to room temperature before pouring to maintain distinct layers.
For a nut-free version, simply omit the chopped pecans or walnuts.
Use well-drained pineapple to avoid excess liquid, which can make the Jello layers runny.
This dessert can be made a day ahead to allow layers to set thoroughly and flavors to meld.

Keywords: Christmas Jello, Layered Jello, Holiday Dessert, Cream Cheese Jello, No Bake Dessert, Festive Jello