A jello jiggler is one of those easy treats that everyone loves.
It’s sweet, gelatinous, and packed full of flavor thanks to a combination of fruit juice, sugar, and gelatin.
What Is The Recipe For Jello Jiggler?
The recipe for jello jiggler can be found in almost every cookbook from elementary school through college.
The basic ingredients include water, gelatin sheets, sugar, food coloring (optional), fruit juice or other liquid, and flavoring agents like lemon juice, vanilla extract, etc.
You may also add additional flavorings such as powdered sugar or cinnamon if desired.
You will find many recipes online that use this same basic formula.
I recommend using clear gelatin instead of red because it makes a more uniform color when cooked.
If you want to dye your jelly orange, then go ahead! Just keep an eye on the temperature so it doesn’t boil over.
For most people, the hardest part about making a jello jiggler is waiting for the gelatin to set up properly.
As soon as you put all the ingredients together, start mixing them slowly until they thicken up.
Once it starts to get thick enough to hold its shape, stop stirring and let it sit for several minutes before adding any additional liquids.
When I first started cooking, my mother would always tell me not to stir the mixture while the gelatin was setting up.
She said that the longer the gelatin stayed inactive, the better the results were going to turn out.
In fact, she still uses this method today whenever she wants to make jello jigglers.
If you don’t have access to a double boiler, you can use a metal bowl and heat the water inside the pan directly over medium-high heat.
Make sure the bottom of the bowl isn’t touching the water, otherwise it could cause the mixture to bubble up too much.
To prepare the gelatin, place 1/4 cup cold water into a small saucepan.
Sprinkle 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin powder onto top of the water and wait 5 minutes until all of the granules dissolve.
Once done, pour the water into another container and mix in 1 cup boiling water.
Add 3 tablespoons cool water to the gelatin solution and stir well.
Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes.
Once the mixture has cooled down, add 4 cups of apple juice, 1/3 cup of light corn syrup, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
Mix well by hand until the gelatin completely dissolves.
Pour the mixture into a large pot and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.
When the mixture reaches a full boil, remove it from the stovetop and continue to stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for about 10 seconds to break up any lumps.
Remove the pot from the heat.
Cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to cool for about 20 minutes.
After the mixture has had ample time to cool, transfer it into individual containers.
Place each container in a larger bowl filled with ice cubes and cover with a clean towel.
Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for 12 hours or overnight.
After the mixture has been sitting for several hours, carefully remove the lid and check the consistency of the gel.
If there are cracks throughout the surface, gently press the edges back together with your fingers.
This step ensures that the jello jiggler won’t leak during storage.
If the gel seems too firm, simply repeat this process again after allowing it to sit for another hour or two.
To finish off the dish, fill a tall glass with warm tap water.
Drop the jello jiggler into the glass and watch it float away.
Serve immediately!
There are lots of creative ways to customize the jello jiggler recipe.
For example, you can change the type of milk used to make the base.
Some people prefer almond milk, others choose soy milk, and even dairy-free options exist.
Experimenting with these types of substitutions gives you plenty of room to play around with the recipe without sacrificing quality.
How Do You Make Jello Jiggler?
Jello Jiggler Recipe Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup sugar (white or brown)
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 2 cups water
- 1 packet unflavored gelatin
- juice from 1-2 lemons
- 1 cup boiling water
- strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, banana slices, pineapple chunks, kiwi pieces, etc.
What Ingredients Do You Need For Jello Jiggler?
You will only need three ingredients to make a basic jello jiggler:
1 cup (250 mL) apple or orange juice
3/4 cup (150 mL) powdered sugar
3 tablespoons (45 mL) unflavored powdered gelatin
If you want to add more color to your jello jiggler, then use these additional ingredients in addition to the ones listed above:
Food coloring — You could also use liquid food coloring if you like.
Fresh berries — If you want to turn this into a dessert, then use fresh raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or any other kind of berry you have on hand.
How Long Does It Take To Make Jello Jiggler?
The first step in creating this tasty treat is deciding what kind of jelly will be used as the base.
You have several options here, including lemon curd, strawberry preserves, or even whipped cream!
The most important thing when choosing a type of jelly is whether or not it has enough body so that it holds up well on its own without being over-flavored by other ingredients.
Once you know which kind of jelly you want to use, you can move onto the next steps.
Most recipes call for two cups (8 ounces) of water per cup (16 ounces) of jelly.
Next, add an equal amount of sugar to each cup of liquid.
Stir until dissolved before adding any additional flavoring ingredients like fruit juices or extracts.
When mixing all the liquids together, stir constantly so that no lumps form.
Once everything is combined into a smooth mixture, pour the entire batch into a mold container.
Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the surface of the mixture and place another container on top.
Allow the mixture to set overnight before cutting it into cubes and serving.
This process should only take about fifteen minutes from beginning to end.
If you plan to serve the jello jiggler right away, then don’t forget to chill it thoroughly beforehand.
Can You Make Jello Jiggler Ahead Of Time?
You absolutely can!
Just be sure to use fresh fruits whenever possible because they will give off more liquid than dried or canned varieties.
You can also add additional water if needed.
How Do You Store Jello Jiggler?
Jello jigglers keep well in an airtight container or jar on your countertop.
They also freeze well if you don’t plan on eating them all immediately after they come out of the oven.
If you want to save room in your freezer (or eat later), try freezing half of the mixture before baking so you only have to bake half as many jellies.
How Long Does Jello Jiggler Last?
Jello Jiggler will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze them for longer storage times.
You can thaw jello jiggler overnight in the refrigerator before serving (it won’t taste as good after sitting out all day).
What Are Some Variations Of Jello Jiggler?
Jello jigglers come in many varieties, from sweetened yogurt cups to savory meatballs stuffed into a cupcake liner.
They also have several names, including jelly-filled donuts, jelly cake pops, and pudding pops.
You may even see them called “jelly beans” or simply “jellies.” Whatever they are called, jello jiggler recipes usually include gelatin, which gives them their firm texture.
The basic formula for any jello jiggler recipe includes water, fruit juices (or other liquid), sugar, gelatin, and flavoring.
The exact ratios vary depending on what kind of jello jiggler you want to make.
Some use more than others, while others prefer to keep things lighter by using less water.
Experimenting with different combinations will give you endless possibilities when it comes to creating your very own jello jiggler!
What Are Some Ways To Serve Jello Jiggler?
Jello jiggler is an ideal dessert for kids or adults who love sweet desserts like sherbet or ice cream.
You could also use this in place of pudding if you want something more dense and less liquidy.
It’s also great as a way to cool down on hot summer days.
Just remember not to overdo it because too much gelatin will cause your jello jiggler to thicken up into a solid block instead of being smooth and creamy.
You can eat it plain.
If you are looking for something extra special, try adding a variety of toppings such as nuts, marshmallows, fruits, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, etc.
If you don’t have any jello powder, you can substitute regular powdered gelatin sheets.
To get the same texture from these, follow the directions below.
The amount of water called for may vary depending on how thick you want the final product to be so adjust accordingly.
What Are Some Tips For Making Jello J
It’s important to use fresh fruits for this recipe, so try to get in season when possible.
The best way to ensure that your jelly mix has enough gelatin is to add an extra tablespoon or two per cup of liquid.
You may also want to double up on the gelatin if you have more than 2 cups of liquid.
If you don’t have any leftover jelly mixture after setting it aside overnight, you can store it in the fridge for a couple days before using it again.
Just be sure not to freeze the mixture because it won’t set properly in that state.
You can also buy powdered gelatin instead of adding it yourself.
If you choose to go that route, follow these directions from Food Network.
To make jello jigglers, first prepare 1 cup of your favorite fruit juice (I used orange juice).
Add ½ teaspoon of unflavored powdered gelatin to each cup of juice.
Let them sit together until they thicken slightly.
Next, combine ¾ cup of cold water with 4 tablespoons of granulated white sugar and stir well.
Pour half of the mixture into small glass bowls, then pour in the other half of the chilled juice-gelatin mixture.
Stir gently until everything is combined.
Set both mixtures aside until they cool completely.
Now comes the hard part — waiting! Once the jellies are cooled, cover them tightly and refrigerate them overnight.
In the morning, spoon out the jellies onto plates.
Top each off with whipped cream, strawberries, or whatever else tickles your fancy.
Equipment
- Jello mold
Ingredients
- 6 oz Jello any flavor
- 2 cups water boiling
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Water is brought to a boil. Dry gelatin should be combined with boiling water and stirred for two minutes to completely dissolve.
- Apply cooking spray to a pan or Jello mold and wipe with a paper towel. Pour the Jello into the nagashikan or 9×13 pan gradually. Delete or poke any bubbles.
- Jello should be refrigerated for 3 to 4 hours, or until it is completely set.
- Jello can be removed by soaking the pan in 1 inch of warm water in the sink for 10 to 15 seconds. Slice and serve.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.