Edible Rainbow

So most of my posts are about healthy foods, but of course we indulge in some less-than-wholesome goodies. Here is a fun & yummy treat I made for our playgroup potluck.

There are lots of recipes posted online for rainbow gelatin desserts, the white layer varies (some use whipped cream, some use sour cream, some use sweetened condensed milk). I chose sweetened condensed milk because pictures using sour cream or whipped cream looked like the colors bled easily. Sweetened condensed milk mixed with plain gelatin (find this in the Jello area) worked perfect!  Is the white layer necessary... no, but it does keep the colors more distinct. I wouldn't have re-invented the wheel, but I tweaked the recipe just enough that I wanted to remember what worked well for me.

Yields: 24 9-oz Jello Cups
Make this the day before you need it, especially if it's the first time.

5 - 1/4oz envelopes Knox Gelatine (Comes in boxes of 4, so two boxes)

2 cans sweetened condensed milk

6 flavors Jello, 6 oz size (we used Cherry, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Berry Blue, Grape)

24 - 9-oz cups

(PressNSeal or Plastic Wrap to cover the cups is optional)

Some of the ingredients, keep in mind you need two boxes of Knox & 2 cans evaporated milk. Oh, and more than 2 cups, LOL.

1) Make one batch of milk/gelatin for the white layers. (I made two separate batches, one at the beginning and one half way through. Each batch will yield enough to make about three white layers.)
    -Bring 1 3/4 cups water to a boil over the stove or microwave. In a microwave safe bowl, add water and one can of sweetened condensed milk. Set aside.
   -Bring 1 1/4 cups water to a boil. Remove from heat. Slowly stir in 2 1/2 packets of Knox Gelatin.
   -Combine the milk mixture and the gelatin mixture.
   -Let cool

2) Make first colored layer.
    -In a large bowl, add 2 cups boiling water to Jello
    -In a separate bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups cold water with 1/2 cup ice
    -Add icy water to Jello (This is where my recipe deviates a little from Jello instructions, but the very cold water and slightly less water than Jello's recipe will help the layer set faster)
    -Let cool to room temperature, by placing in the refrigerator.
    *TIP - It took about 10 mins for the Jello to cool. You want it still very liquidy and not solidified. Letting the Jello cool is important to keep layers from running together.

3) Start layering
    *TIP - Beforehand I made markings on a test cup so I could see about how much liquid I'd need for each layer then used it as a guide.  I also used this test cup as the first cup I'd pour layers into to make sure the Jello from the previous layer was set enough. There will be enough Jello to have one or two test cups.
    *TIP - Cupcake/muffin tins are the perfect size for holding & transporting the cups.
   -Pour some Jello (or milk/gelatin) into a measuring cup or container with a pouring spout.

   -Pour Jello layer into plastic cup to desired height. Try to keep the spout of the measuring cup as close to the cup as possible to minimize bubbles when pouring.

   -Put cups in the refrigerator for 5 mins. If possible transport to freezer for the next 10 mins. This helps the layers set faster. Or if you are patient, you can leave it in the refrigerator to set. If a small amount of ice crystalizes on the Jello that's ok.

   -After the layer is set, pour a thin layer of the cooled milk/gelatin. If you are doing all six colors, make sure to keep the white layer THIN or you will run out of room in your cup. Having just enough white to cover the colored layer is perfect. I kept my white layers thin, so they usually set in the fridge after about 5-10 mins.

4) NOW REPEAT!

   -Make second batch of milk/gelatin mixture when needed.

  *TIP - THIS IS IMPORTANT- To keep layers from running, make sure the Jello and milk/gelatin are about room temperature before pouring your layer. If it's too warm, it will liquefy the layer below it and cause the color to bleed.
  *TIP - If milk/gelatin solidifies too much, microwave for 10 seconds to liquefy.

  *TIP - To speed up the process, make the next layer of colored Jello right after pouring the previous colored layer into the cups, this will give the next color some time to cool.    

 5) To finish off, since I was transporting these I put them in cupcake tins and cut squares of PressNSeal Wrap to cover the tops of the cups.

Any questions? Leave a comment!