One Two Three Jello
Doctoring up a box of Jello turned ordinary gelatin into this retro One Two Three Jello! This tasty treat from the 1970s is easy to recreate!
Jello Desserts are definitely throwback dishes, but with them come delicious memories of childhood. What’s your favorite throwback recipe???
Why You Should Make One Two Three Jello
One of my favorite childhood treats was Jello brand’s 1,2,3 Jello. My childhood was full of these jellied salads. Some I loved. Others, like lime gelatin with grated carrots, were just plain nasty.
Back in the day, Jello was touted as a source of protein and my youngest sister was given bottles of jello water to pacify her. She was the only sibling to have a mouthful of cavities. I wonder why? Back to recreating this retro Jello Recipe.
- My siblings and I loved how the mixture magically separated into layers when chilled. It’s a fun dessert for kids and grandkids!
- And it’s also easy enough for your kids to help make.
- Unfortunately, all the recreations of this jello contained Cool Whip, which doesn’t sit well with me. Substituting whipped cream worked perfectly! Though the jello has artificial coloring and flavors, the layers are made with a more wholesome, natural ingredient.
How to Make a Layered Jello Salad
My parents went all granola on me in the 1970s. Powdered milk to avoid hormones or pesticides, no salt to help my dad’s blood pressure, carob instead of chocolate. We were tortured. So when my mom brought home a box of this layered gelatin “salad” from the neighborhood Hy-Vee grocery store, my sisters and I were ever so grateful for the SUGAR!
Here’s the process to make this retro recipe at home.
- First, divide the dry jello mix into two bowls.
- Add hot, then cold water into the first bowl as directed in the recipe and divide this mixture into serving dishes and chill.
- When the bottom layer has jelled, whip the cream until it holds peaks (this will be the Cool Whip replacement that’s used in some other homemade versions).
- Mix the remaining gelatin with hot water, then slightly cold hot water.
- Whisk in the cream and divide this mixture between the dishes. The goal is to have this layer divide into two separate layers, each lighter in color than the one beneath.
So when I heard my friends were sharing Retro Recipes today, I thought of the era of molded salads, quiche that real men didn’t eat, and Hamburger Helper, and chose that magic gelatin dessert. Did you grow up eating gelatin salads? Are they ever on your holiday table? You know, those salads that taste like desserts? If you have a favorite, let me know.
More Recipes with Gelatin You’ll Love:
- Coca Cola Jello Salad with Cherries from The Food Charlatan
- Jello Easter Eggs from Spend with Pennies
- Layered Rainbow Salad
- Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberry Gelée
- Easy Lemon Bundt Cake
One Two Three Jello
A retro Jello dessert that was a childhood favorite!
Ingredients
- 6 ounce box of Jello (flavor of your choice, I used cherry)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped
Instructions
- Divide dry jello into two medium sized bowls.
- Add one cup boiling water to first bowl and stir till all sugar is dissolved. Add one cup of cold water and mix till combined. Pour mixture into clear glasses (6-8 depending on size) filling to halfway point. Chill till slightly jelled, about 30 minutes.
- When the bottom layer is slightly jelled, whip the cream and repeat the process with the second bowl of dry gelatin, decreasing the cold water to ¾ cup. Whisk in the whipped cream and pour the jello mixture on top of the first layer. Chill till set, about 4 hours.
Notes
Note: 4 hour chilling time.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Amount Per Serving: Calories: 125Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 134mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 0gSugar: 25gProtein: 2g
44 Comments on “One Two Three Jello”
We had Jell-o but not very often. My mother thought it had too much sugar – seriously. I remember squishing my bowl of Jell-o with a fork until it was mush. I have no idea why I did that but I did it every time we had it. I never thought of it until now.
Oh, the memories!!! I loved all those jell-o desserts my mom made. Thank you for the memories dear Lizzy. xo Catherine
And now I will be singing J E L L O for the rest of the night.
These look so refreshing and they are perfect for spring and parties!
I love how creative you got with recreating a childhood recipe! Now can you pass me one?
Your parfaits are beautifully done! I love the colors!
Now, this is a fun one! Such a great presentation of an old favorite!
This is such a pretty Jello dessert!
I love jello (actually just posted a jello recipe today, too) and even though I’ve never heard of one-two-three jello, this sounds like something I can easily devour!
I have never heard of that Jello product, but I have always liked the jiggly stuff, especially when I’m not feeling well. This is a great way to amp it up!
Layered Jello! I love that stuff! Jello just puts a smile on any kids face that is for sure!
Yes, jello salads were all the rage, but this one looks scrumptious
Magic gelatin for sure! I haven’t had a Jello dessert in ages. This looks SO pretty.
Love this Lizzy! I have to make to the twins ! Im sure I never made. I loved these jello desserts.!
big hugs dear!
Ooh, what a classic! Indeed a throwback food! Great post, Liz!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Not only were these yummy but I loved the cottage cheese jello salad that was always on the potluck table at church! Your presentation is so pretty!
How did the original work, Liz? It sounds like Jello magic to have it separate on its own! As always, your little glasses of deliciousness are beautiful!
Love this! Retro is the bestest.
The Jello is so fun! I can’t imagine you (of all people) having to eat carob instead of chocolate! I’m glad you let that go:@)
Oh, you called it! Jello is exactly what comes to mind when I think of retro, and to be honest, I still miss the lime jello cubes we used to eat every Christmas growing up. I’m definitely making this for some throwback event 🙂 delish!