How to Make a Jello Mold

Reviewed by Craig Watson

Last Updated: November 19, 2023 Approved

The Jello mold is a brightly colored dessert made of sweetened refrigerated gelatin. It is often layered and displayed before serving to show off its smooth, sculpted shape. The gelatin will take the shape of any mold you decide to use; however, in order to make it solidify properly, you will need to ignore the directions on the box in favor of traditional methods.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup (0.3l) boiling water
1 6 oz. (170g) box powdered gelatin
Canned fruit (optional)
Sour cream (optional)

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Preparing a Mold

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Traditionally, Bundt pans are used to achieve an attractive circular shape. Purchase a non-stick Bundt pan for best results.^{[1]
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They are available for purchase on the Internet in holiday shapes, like hearts, Christmas trees and roses.

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You will need about five boxes of Jello to fill a standard Bundt pan. You will need one and one-fourth cups of boiling water and a bowl for each color of gelatin.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Mixing Jello

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1
Boil your water. Mix one packet of gelatin with one and one-fourth cup of boiling water. Mix thoroughly with a metal spoon until it has completely dissolved.
- Note that this is less water than indicated on the packet, which will make a firmer mold.
The number of Jello packets needed will depend greatly on the size of your Bundt pan or mold. Buy extra packets to ensure you have enough.^{[2]
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Clear a space in your refrigerator for the next step.
(30ml) of sour cream for each color you want to be opaque. Whisk the sour cream into the gelatin.
Stir well to mix it uniformly.
Place it in the refrigerator overnight before removing.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Layering a Jello Mold

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Place it in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Remove it when the top is just starting to set and leaves a tight edge against the side of the pan.
Try a sour cream layer for a big contrast. Place the gelatin in the refrigerator again for at least 20 minutes to let the second layer set.
Spoon in the next layer and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. Repeat spooning and refrigerating until you have used the last of your Jello mixtures.
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Removing a Jello Mold

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Dry them.
If you are using a Bundt pan, also loosen the center circle.
It should be several inches bigger in all directions than your Bundt pan or silicone mold.
Be careful not to get water inside the pan.
Dry off the outside of the pan or silicone mold.
Hold the top of the platter and the top of the mold firmly together between your thumbs and fingers.
You should feel the Jello release from the mold. If it doesn’t release from the pan, flip it back over and stick it in the warm water for a few more seconds before trying again.^{[4]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How do I get it out of a metal pan?

Community Answer

Spray it with Pam before you put the Jello in it. Once it's set, slide a knife around the edge to break the seal, and invert it on the plate you want to serve it on. Then just let it sit until it drops. You could whack it with a wooden spoon a few times just to get it going.

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Question

When letting the jello solidify over night in the refrigerator, do I put the mold upside down or right side up?

Community Answer

Right side up, or so the opening of the container is up.

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Question

How would I get it out of a large cake pan?

Community Answer

Try putting the cake pan in warm water for a little bit to get the edges to soften up, and then hold the pan upside down and gently shake. The Jello should come out.

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