Red White Blue Layered Cups (Print)

Colorful layered cups with creamy milk and fruity red and blue gelatin, chilled to perfection.

# What You Need:

→ Red Layer

01 - 1 (3 oz) box strawberry or cherry flavored Jello
02 - 1 cup boiling water
03 - 1/2 cup cold water

→ White Layer

04 - 1 envelope (0.25 oz) unflavored gelatin
05 - 1/2 cup cold water
06 - 1/2 cup boiling water
07 - 1 cup sweetened condensed milk

→ Blue Layer

08 - 1 (3 oz) box blue raspberry flavored Jello
09 - 1 cup boiling water
10 - 1/2 cup cold water

→ Optional Garnish

11 - Whipped cream
12 - Fresh blueberries and strawberries

# Directions:

01 - Arrange 8 clear cups with 6 to 8 fluid ounce capacity for layering.
02 - Dissolve red Jello in 1 cup boiling water. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Divide evenly between cups, approximately 2 tablespoons per cup. Position cups at a slight angle using a muffin tin and refrigerate for 45 to 60 minutes until set.
03 - Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water and allow to bloom for 5 minutes. Pour 1/2 cup boiling water and stir until completely dissolved. Add sweetened condensed milk and stir thoroughly. Cool mixture to room temperature.
04 - Once red layer is set, gently pour white layer over red layer, approximately 2 tablespoons per cup. Set cups upright and refrigerate for 45 to 60 minutes until firm.
05 - Dissolve blue Jello in 1 cup boiling water. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Allow to cool to room temperature.
06 - Once white layer is firm, gently pour blue Jello over white layer, approximately 2 tablespoons per cup. Refrigerate upright for at least 2 hours until fully set.
07 - Top with whipped cream and fresh berries if desired before serving.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • They look fancy and patriotic but honestly take less skill than you'd think to pull off.
  • Kids actually get excited about eating dessert when it's this visually stunning and tastes like summer.
  • You can make them a full day ahead, so the stress of last-minute prep just disappears.
02 -
  • If you pour a warm layer onto a set layer, you will melt it, and those distinct stripes you worked for will turn into a muddy mess, so patience is actually not optional here.
  • Tilting the cups for the red layer is the only thing that makes the stripe look intentional instead of like you just poured it straight, so don't skip that step even though it feels fussy.
03 -
  • Clear cups are essential because they're the whole point, so don't shortcut this with opaque containers where nobody can see your handiwork.
  • Making the white layer with condensed milk instead of sugar and cream is what gives it that creamy distinct stripe, and it's worth not substituting.
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