Broken Glass Jello

Art meets dessert with this broken glass jello. This jello dish is a staple at holidays and is named because cubes of colorful and flavored gelatin resemble stained glass windows. While it looks fancy, it’s fairly simple to put together (although it needs time to chill). It sits on top of a graham cracker crust and is a stunning addition to your dessert lineup.  You can swap out the flavors and colors depending on the occasion.

Broken Glass Jello Ingredients

• Lime, strawberry and orange gelatin: Colorful and almost jewel-like, these flavors will be sliced into small cubes and make up the “broken glass” part of the recipe.
• Graham cracker crumbs: This will make up the buttery crust. It is a crumbly addition to your broken glass jello cake. You can even make the graham crackers at home.
• Sugar: This sweetens the crust.
• Butter: Another part of the crust is the melted butter that helps the components stick together and gives it a rich flavor.
• Unflavored gelatin: This will be combined with the pineapple juice. It will hold the pieces of “broken glass.”
• Pineapple juice: This sweet, tart and fruity juice adds additional flavor to the dessert.
• Frozen whipped topping: Once thawed, this is combined with the pineapple juice mixture to make the consistency fluffier.

Directions

Step 1: Make flavored gelatin layers and the base

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Combine the lime gelatin and 1-1/2 cups of boiling water. Stir until the gelatin dissolves. Pour this into a lightly greased 8×4-inch loaf pan and chill until very firm. Repeat this process to make the strawberry and orange gelatin in separate pans. Combine the crumbs, sugar and butter. Press this into a greased 13×9-inch dish. Chill.

Step 2: Make the pineapple juice mixture

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Meanwhile, soften the unflavored gelatin in cold water for five minutes in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the pineapple juice to a boil. Stir in the unflavored gelatin until it dissolves. Transfer this to a large bowl and set aside until it reaches room temperature, which will take about 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 3: Make the jello cake

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Once the flavored gelatins are firm, cut each into 1/2-inch cubes. In a large bowl, whisk the whipped topping into the pineapple juice mixture. Gently fold 2/3 of the cubes into the whipped topping mixture. Spoon over the crust and top the mixture with the remaining cubes. Chill for at least two hours.

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Broken Glass Jello Variations

• Go big on flavor: You can always use a flavored gelatin to mix with the pineapple juice—aim for something that will complement the other flavors, like lemon or cherry.
• Skip the crust: While we love the extra texture and flavor the crust provides, it can be enjoyed without it if you just want jello.
• Get creative: There are endless variations for the flavors of gelatin you can use. For instance, berry flavors can evoke the tastes of summer. Or, you could lean into the tropics with pineapple, mango or coconut gelatin. You could use green and red gelatin (of your flavors of choice) for the holidays.

How to Store Broken Glass Jello

Store your broken glass jello dessert in the fridge for up to a week. You can prepare it ahead of time for gatherings and celebrations since it requires chilling before serving.

Can you freeze broken glass jello?

We would not recommend freezing this.

Broken Glass Jello Tips

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Do I have to use frozen whipped topping?

You could use whipped cream or even yogurt in its place. Note that the texture and flavor may differ.

Can I double this broken glass jello recipe?

Yes. This recipe is easy to double for bigger gatherings and appetites.

Can I make this recipe for broken glass jello in a different type of pan?

You can put it in disposable containers or even put it in a bundt cake pan for a more elevated appearance.