15 Jello Salads and Desserts That Scream Summer Nostalgia
Remember the bright, wiggly Jello dishes that always showed up at summer potlucks? These Jello salads and desserts bring back those carefree summer vibes, and you’ll want them on your table before the season slips away.
These vintage-inspired Jello recipes are colorful, fun, and easy to prepare, making them perfect for your next warm-weather gathering or family cookout.
Orange Carrot Jello Salad
This retro recipe for Orange Carrot Jello Salad is just like your grandma made. It is cool, sweet and a bit crunchy. Perfect for summer BBQs.
Get the Recipe: Orange Carrot Jello Salad.
Patriotic Jello Salad
Add a burst of red, white, and blue to your summer holiday celebrations with a delicious and patriotic Jello salad! This colorful and refreshing treat is the perfect addition to your Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day festivities, and it’s sure to impress your guests with its vibrant layers and sweet flavors.
Get the Recipe: Jello Mold.
Rainbow Cake, Light And Fruity Jello Cake
Rainbow Cake is a cherished vintage recipe that has been a family favorite for generations. Known for its bright, cheerful layers of Jello, this cake is light and refreshing—a perfect choice for hot summer parties. It’s not heavy, making it an ideal dessert that everyone can enjoy even on the warmest days. Get the Recipe: Rainbow Cake, Light And Fruity Jello Cake.
4Th Of July Jello Poke Cake
Celebrate the 4th of July with a festive poke cake featuring a moist white cake colored with red and blue Jello. Topped with a creamy white chocolate pudding whipped frosting, it’s a simple and patriotic dessert everyone will love. Get the Recipe: 4Th Of July Jello Poke Cake.
Broken Glass Jello
Broken glass Jello is a vibrant, fun dessert that’s super easy to make and can be customized with various flavors. It’s a great choice for parties or potlucks because you can prepare it in a large 9 X 13 dish or in individual servings. This colorful treat is always a hit, offering a playful mix of textures and tastes that everyone loves. Get the Recipe: Broken Glass Jello.
Red, White and Blue Jello Cups
These red, white, and blue jello cups spangled with white jello stars are such a fun and festive dessert idea for the patriotic holidays this summer! It’s a beautiful layered dessert in American flag colors, no-bake, easy to make, and you’ll need only four ingredients! Get the Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Jello Cups.
Strawberry Jello Poke Cake
Easy strawberry jello poke cake recipe made with strawberry Jello, white cake mix, and Cool Whip – tastes like strawberry shortcake!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Jello Poke Cake.
Lime Jello Salad
Vintage Holiday Jello Salad recipe using lime gelatin, pineapple, cream cheese, and whipped topping. No cottage cheese in this one!
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad.
Rainbow Layered Jello
Jello may typically be touted as kids’ food, but this layered jello is beloved even by grown-ups. I like to make rainbow-layered jello almost every year, and my favorite color combo is the one I made this Independence Day: red, white, and blue. The colors pop, and the flavor rocks! Get the Recipe: Rainbow Layered Jello.
Stained Glass Jello Salad (with Shortcuts)
Make this fun, colorful Stained Glass Jello Salad in a fraction of the time with my shortcuts than it traditionally takes! Also called Broken Glass Jello Dessert, this small batch recipe can be made with sweetened condensed milk or even dairy-free with coconut milk.
Get the Recipe: Stained Glass Jello Salad (with Shortcuts).
Red, White, and Blue Layered Jello
These red, white, and blue jello cups are a festive dessert made with layers of colorful jello and fluffy Cool Whip. Perfect for warm-weather holidays, these vibrant, chilled treats are not only eye-catching but also refreshing, making them a hit at any summer celebration. Get the Recipe: Red, White, and Blue Layered Jello.
Homemade Coffee Jello Recipe with Condensed Milk Cream
Meet our homemade coffee jello recipe with condensed milk cream! Jiggly gorgeous coffee jello topped with some delicious sweet cream—super quick and easy to make! The creamy richness from the sweet cream mixes with the slight bitterness and soft bite of the coffee jello, giving such incredible flavors, melting right in your mouth. This is a delightful dessert that tastes… beautiful.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Coffee Jello Recipe with Condensed Milk Cream.
Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad
A classic mid-century recipe, the carrot and pineapple jello salad remains a potluck favorite! Great as a dessert or side dish, its crisp and refreshing flavors make it a perfect summer salad! The Sunshine Salad is also known as Sunrise or Sunset Salad (depending on serving time?) and Golden Glow Salad. This vibrant blend of fruit and veggies suspended on a retro gelatin mold will add a nostalgic touch to your table.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Pineapple Jello Salad.
Pink Champagne Jello Shots
Your guests will love these fancy jello shots with pink Champagne or Prosecco and gin, a playful jiggly twist on the classic French 75 cocktail. Making sparkling jello is really simple – just use any effervescent liquid. The bubbles suspended in gelatin add a touch of whimsy and make these jello shots so pretty and fun!
Get the Recipe: Pink Champagne Jello Shots.
Lime Green Jello Shots
Celebrate Game Day with these adorable Green Jello Shots! Lime jello is paired with vodka, then topped with whipped cream, and sprinkles. Add football-themed toppers to make shots people will be talking about until the next game day! Quick and easy and oh so perfect.
Get the Recipe: Lime Green Jello Shots.
