This easy broken glass Jello recipe is rich, sweet, and delicious. Whether you call this sea glass dessert, broken glass Jello, or any of its other names, one thing is the same. This broken glass dessert always delights everyone!
For those of you that follow this blog, you know how much I LOVE jello and have for my entire life. It's great to use to make strawberry cheesecake, colorful layered cake parfaits, and so much more!
This wonderfully easy broken glass jello recipe is the perfect way to celebrate any holiday by swapping out the colors you use to create the glass look.
This broken glass dessert has been one of my go-to patriotic desserts for years and also for those random moments when I just want to make it and eat it. I love how fast and easy it is and it's just so much fun to cool.
You can do so much with Jello such as using it in sugar cookies or making a delicious layered cake.
What is Broken Glass Jello?
Stained glass Jello is what North Americans call the popular Spanish dessert, gelatina de mosaico, or mosaic gelatin. It's wildly popular in Mexico and Brazil, but no one seems to know where it originated.
It's made by combining a white gelatin base made with condensed milk and clear gelatin and then with a mixture of different colored gelatins to create the look of stained glass. It's a new and fun way to serve Jello the kids are going to love!
There are lots of ways to change it up. Make it with a single flavor or multiple flavors, use simple shapes or elaborate designs like flowers, hearts, or butterflies, and sometimes fresh fruit is added.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's a colorful dessert perfect for any occasion and can be customized for holidays!
- It's made with Jello, a favorite dessert.
- It's super easy to make.
- Everyone always loves it.
Ingredients
This beautiful, delicious recipe only takes a handful of simple ingredients to make. You'll find them all easily at your local grocery store.
- Lemon Oreo Thins: These lemon cookies work great and add a nice flavor to the cookie crust. Swap it with chocolate cookies, vanilla wafers, or graham crackers to change it up.
- Jello: In a variety of flavors and colors.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This adds sweetness and white color to the unflavored gelatin.
- Unflavored gelatin: Used to create the white gelatin base for this easy dessert.
TIME-SAVING TIP: Use pre-made jello in 5 different flavors or colors instead of making the jello yourself. You can cut the cubes of colored jello right from the packaging.
The full ingredient list with quantities is in the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make Broken Glass Jello
Let's take a look at the broad strokes of how to make this delicious broken glass dessert. For the full instructions, be sure to check out the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Combine one cup of water with each Jello packet in separate containers and mix to dissolve. Chill the jello until it's firmly set.
- Use a food processor to finely grind the Oreo cookies and combine them with melted butter to make the crust.
- After mixing, press the cookie mixture into a 9x13 baking dish and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Cut the chilled Jello into cubes and place them randomly over the chilled crust.
- Combine the unflavored gelatin, water, and sweetened condensed milk and mix well.
- Pour the mixture over the colored Jello and gently press down the cubes until the top is fairly smooth.
- Chill for at least 2 hours, then cut into cubes and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
There are lots of ways to change up this recipe! Let's look at some of my favorites!
- Any gelatin brand: You don't have to use Jello. Feel free to use your favorite brand of gelatin for this recipe.
- Your favorite flavors: You can make this recipe with any flavored gelatin or combination of flavors.
- Fruit cocktail: Add thoroughly drained fruit cocktail for a fun, fruity flavor.
- Chopped fresh fruit: Fresh chopped pineapple, berries, and grapes are just a few ideas!
- Make it without the cookie layer. Follow the same instructions but leave out the butter and Oreos.
- Different Flavor cookie: Use your favorite Oreo thin cookie.
If you like recipes like this stained glass Jello, then check out this Jello pretzel dessert recipe, or if you're feeling up for it try our S'mores Parfait recipe.
Serving Ideas
This dessert is perfect for just about any holiday or special occasion! Make it for the Fourth of July, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Easter table.
Looking for more holiday inspiration? Check out these!
Equipment
- Measuring cup and spoons
- Can opener
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Food processor
- Baking dish
Tips
- Be sure your water is very hot so it can completely dissolve the Jello powder.
- Thoroughly chill your Jello before slicing it so the cubes hold their shape.
- Thoroughly mix the condensed milk and gelatin to ensure that it sets properly throughout.
- Avoid using Oreos with cream in the center as the cream tends to cause a soggy bottom layer.
- Eat these colored jello bars cold. The warmer they are the less they will hold their shape. Do not leave them out at room temperature for an extended period of time.
- You can set your dish in hot water for a couple of minutes to loosen the jello around the sides so that the bars come out of the dish easier.
FAQ
Gelatin doesn't freeze well. The texture changes quite a bit after it's frozen and defrosted.
It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week in an air-tight container.
No, gelatin doesn't freeze well. The texture changes quite a bit after it's frozen and defrosted.
How to Make Video
More Jello Recipes You'll Love
Broken Glass Jello Bars
Ingredients
- 1 package lemon Oreo thins
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 5 3 ounce packets jello whatever flavors/colors you desire but I used orange, raspberry, lemon, lime, and blueberry
- 2 .25 ounce packets unflavored gelatin
- 7 cups boiling water, divided
- 1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- In 5 separate containers (each able to hold more than 1 cup) add 1 cup of boiling water to each packet of jello powder. Stir them constantly for about 2 minutes or until all jello powder is dissolved and mixed well.
- Place the liquid jello in your refrigerator for at least 2 hours, the longer the better, so that the jello can set firmly.
- In a food processor, process the lemon Oreos until ground into a fine sand-like texture.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground Oreos with the melted butter until a loose wet sand texture forms.
- Press the lemon Oreo mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 tall-sided dish to form an even layer crust. Place the crust in your refrigerator for at least 2 hours to chill.
- Once jello and crust are both firm, remove the jello from the containers by setting the containers in warm water until the edges are loose enough to slide out of the containers.
- Cut the colored jello into 1-inch cubes and place them randomly over the lemon Oreo layer in your dish.
- In a large bowl, stir the unflavored gelatin and 2 cups of water together for about 2 minutes or until the powder is dissolved and mixed well. Add the sweetened condensed milk and stir very well.
- Pour your gelatin mixture over the colored jello and gently press the exposed jello down into the mixture until the top is fairly smooth. If some are sticking up, that is ok. Refrigerate this mixture for at least 2 hours or until well set.
- Cut cubes using a warm knife and serve cold.
Notes
- Be sure your water is very hot so it can completely dissolve the Jello powder.
- Thoroughly chill your Jello before slicing it so the cubes hold their shape.
- Thoroughly mix the condensed milk and gelatin to ensure that it sets properly throughout.
- Avoid using Oreos with cream in the center as the cream tends to cause a soggy bottom layer.
- Eat these colored jello bars cold. The warmer they are the less they will hold their shape. Do not leave them out at room temperature for an extended period of time.
- You can set your dish in hot water for a couple of minutes to loosen the jello around the sides so that the bars come out of the dish easier.
Nutrition
This post was originally published May 2021. It has been republished for content and images in September 2021.
Kellie says
What a terrific recipe Loved the flavors This was the favorite dessert by far. So pretty and perfect for the dessert spread and disappeared first I was asked for recipe by a few too so hopefully they joined your site Will definitely be making this again 💕
Karin and Ken says
I love this beautiful dessert myself! It’s always an easy showstopper! Glad you enjoyed it. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to let me know. All the best. Karin