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This Christmas ribbon Jello salad brings all the festive vibes with its bright, sliceable layers. It looks fancy, but the process is super easy. Make it ahead and watch it disappear!
Why You’ll Love Every Layer
- A Little Slice of Nostalgia: Each layer brings back classic holiday vibes, giving you that cozy “grandma made this” feeling in the best way.
- Festive Looks, Easy Steps: It may look fancy and impressive, but every layer is quick to mix, pour, and chill!
- Make-Ahead Magic: This dessert stays gorgeous and delicious for days, making holiday hosting easier and way less stressful.
Ingredients for Christmas Ribbon Salad
- Homemade Whipped Cream: Whip 1 cup cold heavy cream with 3 tablespoons powdered sugar for a homemade alternative to Cool Whip.
- Layer Variations: Lemon jello or pineapple both work for the middle layer, raspberry or any red gelatin (cherry, strawberry, cranberry) fits the top, and lime, watermelon, or any green gelatin works for the bottom.
- Pineapple Juice: Use canned or bottled only. Fresh pineapple contains enzymes that prevent gelatin from setting properly.
- Cream Cheese: Soften fully before mixing. Beat until smooth, then slowly fold in the gelatin mixture to avoid lumps in the middle layer.
- Color Swaps: Change the theme by using any gelatin flavors. Do grape and orange for Halloween, strawberry and blue raspberry for the 4th of July, or any favorites.
How to Make Christmas Ribbon Salad
Let’s get to the fun part, making this bright, jiggly layer Jello salad. This ribbon salad recipe is easier than it looks, and the result is SO stunning.
- First Layer: Add the lime gelatin to a large bowl, then whisk in the boiling water until the gelatin dissolves. Stir in the chilled pineapple juice, then pour the mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Chill in the fridge for at least 45 minutes, or until it’s mostly firm but not completely set.
- Second Layer: Add the lemon gelatin to a medium bowl, then whisk in the boiling water until the gelatin dissolves. Stir in the mini marshmallows until they are nearly dissolved, then add the chilled pineapple juice.
- Combine: Add the cream cheese to a separate bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the whipped topping and mix until fully combined.
- Combine Gelatin and Cream Cheese Mixture: Slowly add the gelatin mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Then, mix with a hand mixer until smooth. Once cooled to room temperature, carefully spoon and spread it over the chilled bottom layer. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour, until it has almost completely set. This layer tends to take a bit longer than the jello layers.
- Top Layer: Add the raspberry gelatin to a large bowl, then whisk in the boiling water until the gelatin dissolves. Stir in the cold water, then let the mixture cool to room temperature. Pour it over the back of a large spoon, to prevent dents, over the chilled middle layer. Cover and chill the Christmas ribbon salad for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until completely set before serving.
Alyssa’s Pro Tips
Layering: Let each layer firm until mostly set (not fully solid). So when you add the next layer, they bond cleanly. Make sure the chilled layer isn’t too cold, and the next layer is cooled to room temperature before pouring.
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Christmas Ribbon Salad
A classic layered Christmas Jello salad with red, green, and creamy middle layers. Easy to prep, beautifully festive, and perfect for holiday gatherings.
Equipment
- 1 9 x 13 x 2 baking dish
Ingredients
Bottom Layer
- 1 (6-ounce) box lime gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- ¾ cup chilled pineapple juice
Middle Layer
- 1 (3-ounce) box lemon gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chilled pineapple juice
- 4 ounces softened cream cheese
- 2 cups thawed whipped topping
Middle Layer
- 1 (6-ounce) box raspberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- ¾ cup chilled water
Instructions
Bottom Layer
- Add 1 (6-ounce) box lime gelatin to a large bowl, then whisk in 2 cups boiling water until all the gelatin has dissolved completely.
- Stir in ¾ cup chilled pineapple juice, then pour the mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes, or until it's mostly firm but not completely set.
Middle Layer
- Add 1 (3-ounce) box lemon gelatin to a medium bowl, then whisk in 1 cup boiling water until all the gelatin has completely dissolved.
- Stir 1 cup mini marshmallows into the lemon gelatin mixture until the marshmallows are nearly dissolved, then add ½ cup chilled pineapple juice.
- Add 4 ounces softened cream cheese to a separate bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Add 2 cups thawed whipped topping and mix until fully combined.
- Slowly add the gelatin mixture to the cream cheese mixture and mix with the hand mixer until smooth. Once cooled to room temperature, carefully and evenly layer it over the chilled bottom layer of lime gelatin. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or so, until it has almost completely set. This layer tends to take a bit longer than the jello layers.
Top Layer
- Add 1 (6-ounce) box raspberry gelatin to a large bowl, then whisk in 2 cups boiling water until all the gelatin has dissolved completely.
- Stir in ¾ cup chilled water, then let the mixture cool to room temperature before carefully pouring it over the chilled middle layer. I like to slowly pour it over the back of a large spoon to prevent it from making divots in the middle layer.
- Cover and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until completely set before serving.
Notes
Make Ahead & Storage Instructions
- Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 3 days ahead of time! Just keep in mind the colors might bleed a little into the white layer the longer it sits in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store leftover Christmas jello salad in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 125mgPotassium: 32mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
More Fun Jello Treats
If you love this Christmas ribbon salad, check out these other fun jello sides! They’re bright, sweet, and fun to make.
