Retro Jello Recipes That Are Actually Delicious and You Need to Try Today (2024)

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By Lisa Sharp 5 Comments

These retro jello recipes aren’t the scary retro recipes we see sometimes with fish in sweet jello or other horrifying recipes. These are delicious!

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Can you talk about retro food and not talk about jello? Gelatin has been around since the time of the Egyptians and in the 1600s we have written evidence of it being experimented with as food.

The brand Jell-O and what we largely think of when we think of gelatin now was first patented in 1845. It didn’t catch on for a while though. It finally started to catch on after a successful marketing campaign in 1902.

They started to advertise in the Ladies Home Journal and 15 million booklets were distributed. And the popularity just kept growing. You can’t look at a vintage magazine without seeing a recipe featuring Jell-O.

Now we think of it as only a dessert but the mid-century loved to use Jell-O in everything, especially weird salads. You can see some of those interesting recipes in the post Vintage Recipes Made Modern.

We did kind of throw out the baby with the bathwater though with the move away from the weird Jell-O dishes. There were some really fun recipes that we seem to have lost. Honestly, Jell-O by itself is kind of boring so I think we need to bring back some of the Jell-O-based desserts from the mid-century.

Below is a Jell-O ad from a Ladies Home Journal that I own. It is the June 1953 issue. This is a good example of a retro Jell-O recipe that still sounds delicious. This is a recipe I hope to recreate and share soon as well.

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And really while some mid-century recipes seem very unhealthy they did use a lot of fruit in their desserts and that is a good thing to bring back. We still need to be aware of how much sugar we are consuming but I’m a firm believer in moderation and throwing some fruit in there at least gives some nutrition value.

Now there are even vegan-friendly gelatin alternatives if that’s more your speed. And there are a lot of natural jello options that avoid dyes and other artificial ingredients.

These retro jello recipes are ones that are actually delicious and we should bring back. They are the ones I think we are missing out on since we moved away from the questionable past of jello-based recipes.

Retro Jello Recipes

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Polly's Pink Stuff (Raspberry Jello Mold)

Photo Credit: www.lanascooking.com

"A retro recipe for a festive raspberry jello mold. My grandmother's holiday specialty served every Christmas and Easter dinner."

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Lemon Jello Salad

Photo Credit: www.frieddandelions.com

"Lemon Jello Salad is my vegan spin on the all American classic side dish!"

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7 up Jello Salad Recipe

Photo Credit: www.serenabakessimplyfromscratch.com

"7 Up Jello Salad is an old fashioned Jello Salad recipe passed down from my husband’s Grandmother. Lemon Jello is made with 7 Up, pineapple, banana, and marshmallows than covered with a pineapple mousse."

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Rhubarb Dump Cake

Photo Credit: www.greedygourmet.com

"Looking for an easy dessert? Here's a Rhubarb Dump Cake that uses rhubarb, cake mix, jello, sugar, and butter. It really is that simple!"

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Sea Foam Salad

Photo Credit: www.thebittersideofsweet.com

"Sea Foam Salad is the perfect no-bake dessert any time of the year! We love it for around the holidays! Just a few simple ingredients and it is ready to go!"

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Fresh Strawberry Pie

Photo Credit: www.lanascooking.com

"Fresh Strawberry Pie made with strawberries at the height of their season. A sweet ending to a weeknight dinner or a special occasion."

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Dori's Cherry Pineapple Gelatin

Photo Credit: www.cookingwithcarlee.com

"This fun cherry pineapple "salad" is sure to be a hit with your family. It is a simple make-ahead side dish that is festive for a holiday or fun for a BBQ."

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Raspberry Jello Fluff

Photo Credit: momsdinner.net

"This recipe for Raspberry Jello Fluff is super easy to make and only requires FOUR INGREDIENTS- crushed pineapple, raspberry jello, cool whip, & cottage cheese. Easy & delicious."

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Cranberry Jello Salad with Cream Cheese Topping

Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

"Cranberry Jello Salad is a sweet-tart dessert salad loaded with crushed pineapple, chopped pecans, cranberries, and a tangy cream cheese topping! It’s perfect to serve for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, or any night of the year!"

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Lime Congealed Salad

Photo Credit: www.lanascooking.com

"A very southern, lime congealed salad with crushed pineapple, celery, nuts, and marshmallows."

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Lemon Pineapple Jell-O with Pineapple Whipped Cream Topping

Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

"Lemon Pineapple Jell-O with Pineapple Whipped Cream Topping is a light and refreshing slice of vintage wonderfulness! The deliciously sweet and citrusy stuff can be served as a salad or a dessert and served with or without the chopped walnuts on top."

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Creamy Strawberry Jello Mold

Photo Credit: bellyfull.net

"This Creamy Strawberry Jello Mold has a smooth and creamy texture, so delicious, and super easy using only a few pantry items. Great for a small crowd and perfect for a Sunday brunch!"

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Marshmallow Cookie Bars

Photo Credit: www.rockrecipes.com

"Marshmallow Cookie Bars. Easy to make in any flavour you like. The shortbread cookie bottom gets topped by a homemade marshmallow layer made from your favourite flavour of Jello!"

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Raspberry Jello Salad

Photo Credit: www.plantbasedcooking.com

"This plant-based version of traditional raspberry jello salad with vegan sour cream is sure to hit the spot and won’t affect your waistline either."

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Rainbow Layered Jello

Photo Credit: www.freutcake.com

"My Grandma always made this Rainbow Layered Jello for every birthday and special occasion! It takes patience but the results are worth it. Such a family favorite!"

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Cranberry Jello Salad

Photo Credit: neighborfoodblog.com

"This Cranberry Jello Salad recipe has been in our family for years! It's a must make for the holidays, but a super easy and refreshing dessert any time of year."

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Strawberry Cream Pie

Photo Credit: www.simplystacie.net

"Strawberry Cream Pie - Tastes like a dream! This easy summer pie is creamy, sweet and refreshing."

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Orange Jello Fluff Salad

Photo Credit: www.mamagourmand.com

"Favorite Orange Jello Salad Recipe is an effortless dish perfect for potlucks and celebrations. Easy orange jello fluff salad combines Cool Whip, mandarin oranges, cottage cheese, orange gelatin, and pineapple for a refreshing tropical side dish."

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Jello Cream Cheese Dessert

Photo Credit: www.mightymrs.com

"We are kicking it old school today with this Jello cream cheese dessert made with pineapples and cherry pie filling!"

More Retro Recipes

  • Old-Fashioned Cake Recipes
  • Vintage Cranberry Noel Dessert Recipe
  • Vintage Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe
  • Retro Ham and Cheese Pancake Recipe

If you want to see even more retro recipes be sure to sign up below, you will also my meal planning ebook for free. It’s a great way to keep up with what’s going on over here on the blog.

Retro Jello Recipes That Are Actually Delicious and You Need to Try Today (2024)

FAQs

What happened to 123 Jell-O? ›

Jell-O 1-2-3 was a Jell-O gelatin product introduced in 1969 and discontinued in 1996. The product was one 4.3 ounce (121 g) powdered mix that, when properly prepared, separated and solidified into three distinct layers: a creamy top, a mousse-like middle, and regular Jell-O bottom.

What are the old Jell-O flavors? ›

1897 – The original four Jell-O gelatin flavors were raspberry, strawberry, lemon, and orange. 1904 – Cherry and chocolate flavors are introduced. 1918 – Coffee flavor is introduced, but only in certain regions. 1930 – Lime flavor is introduced, accompanied by a recipe book.

Why was Jell-O so popular in the 70s? ›

It's cheap, aesthetically pleasing (by the standards of the day), and relatively easy to prepare.

What tastes good with Jell-O? ›

You can soak it into cakes, mix it with fruits, or even serve it straight! Think gorgeous shards of colorful Jell-O floating like stained glass. Or even better, layers of bright, citrusy sweetness topped with whipped cream. Say hello to your new favorite dessert: Jell-O!

Why is Jell-O no longer popular? ›

Jell-O shifted to single-serve cups and more convenient options as competition for snacks and desserts grew. Kraft in the early 2000's shifted the focus of Jell-O's advertising away from kids and toward adults. It pitched sugar-free Jell-O, for example, as a treat for Atkins dieters.

Why is Jell-O served in hospitals? ›

Jello has 3 main ingredients: water, sugar, and protein (in the form of gelatin). As such, it hydrates you, is easy to digest, and gives your body energy and resources for healing. Jello is being used in some nursing homes as a way to hydrate patients who may have trouble drinking liquid water.

What is the oldest Jell-O? ›

The original gelatin dessert began in Le Roy, New York, in 1897, when Pearle Bixby Wait trademarked the name Jell-O. He and his wife May had made the product by adding strawberry, raspberry, orange, and lemon flavoring to sugar and granulated gelatin (which had been patented in 1845).

What is the most expensive Jell-O in the world? ›

Jellymongers Bompas & Parr have taken their skills to new heights with the creation of the world's most expensive jellies. Commissioned by Sony to celebrate the finale of its Sony Xperia Unleashed campaign, Bompas & Parr have created three bespoke jelly robots for the brand, totalling £6,000.

What was Jell-O originally called? ›

Although the exact history of how Peter Cooper created the product is unknown to us today, we do know that in 1845 he secured a patent (US Patent 4084) for a gelatin dessert powder called “portable gelatin.” His invention was a basic edible gelatin that had no flavoring to it.

What state uses the most Jell-O? ›

Utah eats more Jell-O than any other state

The people in Utah love their Jell-O! The state has an entire holiday week dedicated to the jiggly treat, and it's even Utah's official state food.

What was Jell-O originally made for? ›

In 1897, Pearle Wait, a carpenter in LeRoy, was developing a cough remedy and laxative tea in his home. He experimented with gelatine and came up with a fruit flavored dessert which his wife, May, named JELL-O.

Why were people obsessed with Jell-O in the 50s? ›

It was economical: A housewife could stretch her family's leftovers by encasing them in gelatin. And, since sugar was already included in the flavored mixes, the new packaged gelatins didn't require cooks to use up their household stores of sugar.

What not to put in Jell-O? ›

Fruits That Ruin Jell-O
  1. pineapple - bromelain.
  2. kiwi - actinidin.
  3. figs - ficain.
  4. papaya - papain.
  5. pawpaw - papain.
  6. mango.
  7. guava.
  8. ginger root.
May 8, 2019

What fresh fruit can you put in Jell-O? ›

Slice a banana into coins.
  • Your Jell-O dessert will look gorgeous if you choose types of fruit that have different colors, like green grapes, raspberries, and banana slices.
  • Avoid fresh pineapple, kiwi, mango, ginger root, papaya, figs or guava.
Feb 13, 2024

Can you drink Jell-O like juice? ›

Jello juice is fun to make and even more fun to drink. Most kids love jello and the grown-ups can relive their childhood years indulging themselves, or, add alcohol for a grown up version.

What flavor did Jell-O discontinue? ›

By the 1950s, salads became so popular that Jell-O responded with savory and vegetable flavors such as celery, Italian, mixed vegetable, and seasoned tomato. These flavors have since been discontinued.

Who invented Jell-O 1-2-3? ›

Kraft introduced Jell-O 1-2-3, labeled as "gelatin with two toppings," to unassuming American markets in 1969. This was a period during which Kraft had adopted some unearned hubris about the greater appeal of Jell-O. The Jell-O 1-2-3 would come in five flavors: Strawberry, Raspberry, Orange, Cherry, and Lime.

Why were Jell-O Pudding Pops discontinued? ›

Despite strong sales into the 1990s, Pudding Pops were eventually discontinued due to no longer being profitable.

What was Jell-O in 1897? ›

In 1897, Pearle Wait, a carpenter in LeRoy, was developing a cough remedy and laxative tea in his home. He experimented with gelatine and came up with a fruit flavored dessert which his wife, May, named JELL-O. He tried to market his product but he lacked the capital and the experience.

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