This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details.
Broken Glass Jello is a colorful retro dessert made with fruity gelatin cubes suspended in a creamy, sweet layer. This vintage no-bake dessert is perfect for holidays, potlucks, baby showers, church gatherings, summer parties, and family celebrations.
This old-fashioned Jello dessert is as fun to look at as it is to eat. The bright mosaic-style cubes create a stained-glass effect that always gets attention on the dessert table. Best of all, Broken Glass Jello is easy to customize for nearly any holiday or occasion using different colors and flavors of gelatin.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItTable of Contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy make-ahead dessert for parties and gatherings
- Bright colors make it perfect for holidays and special occasions
- Fun vintage dessert recipe with nostalgic appeal
- Light, creamy, fruity texture everyone loves
- Great for potlucks, cookouts, and church dinners
- Simple ingredients and easy prep
Key Ingredients
NOTE: This section highlights ingredients used in the recipe. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Jello gelatin
Different gelatin flavors and colors create the signature stained-glass look in this colorful dessert. Choose holiday-themed colors or your favorite flavor combinations.
Unflavored gelatin
Unflavored gelatin helps stabilize the creamy layer so the dessert slices neatly without falling apart.
Sweetened condensed milk
Sweetened condensed milk gives the white gelatin layer its rich sweetness and creamy texture while balancing the fruity flavors.
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of firm, fruity gelatin cubes and creamy milk gelatin creates a fun contrast in both texture and flavor. The unflavored gelatin helps the creamy layer set firmly while still keeping the dessert light, smooth, and easy to slice.
Ingredients & Substitutions
NOTE: This section suggests substitutions. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Jello gelatin – Use any flavor combinations or colors you like, depending on the holiday or occasion. No substitution recommended.
- boiling water – Needed to properly dissolve the gelatin. No substitution recommended.
- unflavored gelatin – Helps the creamy layer firm up properly. No substitution recommended.
- hot water – Used to dissolve the unflavored gelatin. No substitution recommended.
- sweetened condensed milk – Adds sweetness and creates the creamy white layer. No substitution recommended.
Variations
- Use red and blue gelatin for patriotic summer holidays like the 4th of July.
- Use red and green gelatin for Christmas dessert trays.
- Try pastel gelatin colors for Easter desserts or baby showers.
- Add mini marshmallows for extra texture and sweetness.
- Use sugar-free gelatin if desired.
- Make mini dessert cups for parties and potlucks.
Tips for Best Results
- Allow the gelatin to fully set before cutting into cubes.
- Let the milk mixture cool before pouring it over the gelatin cubes.
- Use a sharp knife for cleaner cubes and slices.
- Tap the pan lightly on the counter to remove trapped air bubbles.
- Chill overnight for the best texture and easiest slicing.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
FAQs
Broken Glass Jello is a retro layered gelatin dessert made with colorful flavored gelatin cubes suspended in a creamy sweet gelatin mixture.
Yes! This is a perfect make-ahead dessert because it needs several hours to chill and fully set.
Absolutely. Use any flavor and color combinations you prefer for holidays, birthdays, or themed parties.
Yes. Keep the dessert refrigerated until ready to serve.
Freezing is not recommended because the gelatin texture may become watery after thawing.
How to Store Broken Glass Jello
Store Broken Glass Jello tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep chilled until ready to serve for the best texture and appearance.
How to Make Broken Glass Jello
NOTE: This section includes a step-by-step guide. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
This colorful Broken Glass Jello recipe comes together in a few simple steps. First, prepare the flavored gelatin layers and chill until firm. Once set, cut the gelatin into cubes and cover them with a creamy, sweetened condensed milk gelatin mixture before chilling overnight.
Quick steps:
- Prepare and chill each gelatin flavor separately.
- Cut the gelatin into cubes.
- Arrange the cubes in a glass baking dish.
- Prepare the sweetened condensed milk gelatin mixture.
- Pour the creamy layer over the gelatin cubes.
- Refrigerate overnight until fully set.
Serve with your favorite party desserts like Firecracker Cake, Peanut Butter Balls, Italian Ricotta Cookies, or Easy Banana Pudding Parfaits for a colorful dessert table everyone will love.
You can also pair this vintage dessert with other fun no-bake desserts and easy summer desserts from the dessert category for holidays and potlucks.
If You Enjoyed Broken Glass Jello
If you loved this Broken Glass Jello, you are definitely a fan of fun, retro desserts – and I have plenty more where that came from! My Strawberry Pretzel Salad is another potluck superstar that always disappears fast, and if you can’t get enough of that classic strawberry Jello flavor, you’ll also want to check out this Strawberry Jello Cream Pie.
For more creative ways to use Jello, these Jello Meringues are light, colorful, and just as eye-catching as this recipe. If you love old-fashioned Jello salads, the Circus Peanut Jello Salad is a nostalgic favorite you have to try. And if you’re looking for a festive dessert for summer gatherings or the 4th of July, this Patriotic Jello Poke Cake is a total showstopper!
📌 Save This Recipe
Save this Broken Glass Jello recipe to your favorite Pinterest boards for no-bake desserts, retro desserts, church potluck recipes, summer desserts, and holiday treats!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Broken Glass Jello
Would you like to save this?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 4 boxes Jello gelatin, different colors, 3 oz. each
- 4 cups boiling water
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin, .25 oz. each
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 oz.
Instructions
- Using 1 cup of boiling water per box of Jello, dissolve each flavor separately, whisking until completely dissolved. Pour each flavor into individual containers and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Once the Jello is set, cut each flavor into small cubes and place them together in a glass 9×13-inch pan. Carefully mix the Jello cubes.
- In a separate bowl, dissolve both envelopes of unflavored gelatin in 2 cups of hot water. Let cool slightly, and stir in the sweetened condensed milk. Cool to the touch, and pour the cooled milk mixture over the Jello cubes. Lightly tap the pan on the counter to remove any air bubbles, then chill overnight.
- To serve, cut into squares.
Notes
- This is a fun recipe for any holiday! For the 4th of July, use red and blue Jello. For Christmas, use red and green Jello.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more reader-favorite recipes from Love Bakes Good Cakes you may want to try next.
I make a similar recipe. Instead of condensed milk and gelatin, I use a 6 oz box of lemon jello and an 8 oz tub of cool whip. Mix the lemon jello and cool whip together. Pour 1/3 on the bottom of the pan, and cubes, layer cool whip mixture, cubes and top with remaining cool whip. Then refrigerated. My family loves it.
I made this twice but the second time I used 1/2 cup cold water & mix well with the 2 package of gelatin Knox. Then mix with 1 1/2 hot water. Let cool , before mixing with the condensed milk. Everyone & especially the children loved it! 🙏😍
Is there a way to make it lactose free my grandmother used to make this with me I want to make it with my granddaughters but I am gluten-free lactose free for Easter
Believe it or not, they make lactose-free sweetened condensed milk now! If you can’t find it on the baking aisle, check the ethnic section. Good luck!
I have not had this since I was a child and I loved it! Great memories!