Red, White & Berry Blue

Layered red and blue Jello cubes with fluffy white whipped topping in clear glasses makes one of the easiest patriotic desserts you can put together. No baking, no cooking beyond boiling water. Just make the Jello, chill, cube, and stack.

Strawberry Jello gives you the red layer. Berry-flavored Jello handles the blue. Each one sets up in a separate pan, then gets cut into cubes that hold their shape when layered. The whipped topping between each color creates the white stripes and keeps the cubes from sticking together.

The three-hour chill time for the Jello to set firm is the only real waiting involved. Once it’s firm enough to cube cleanly, assembly takes just a few minutes. Use clear glasses so the red, white, and blue layers show through. Kids love building these themselves.

Pro Tips

• Let the Jello set for the full 3 hours minimum. Under-set Jello won’t cube cleanly and you’ll end up with shapeless blobs
• Cut the Jello into even cubes while still in the pan using a sharp knife in a grid pattern
• Layer gently. Dropping cubes in from too high splashes whipped topping up the sides of the glass
• Assemble close to serving time. The cubes can weep liquid and thin out the whipped topping if they sit too long

Variations

• Use sugar-free Jello and light whipped topping for a lower-sugar version
• Top each glass with fresh blueberries and sliced strawberries for extra fruit and color
• Make it in a trifle bowl instead of individual glasses for a dramatic centerpiece