Layered Jello for Mardi Gras

Last Updated on February 22, 2025

This Layered Jello for Mardi Gras is the perfect individual treat for Fat Tuesday.

These colorful treats are easy to make ahead of time and are great for parties. If you love desserts made with Jello, you may also enjoy this Strawberry Poke Cake.

The Mardi Gras treats would be a fitting end to a meal of Instant Pot Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo. You might even be able to persuade your kids to try some of the gumbo if they know they’ll be able to have this dessert after.

Fun Facts About Mardi Gras

When you serve this fun dessert to your kids, you can make it more fun and educational by letting them know these fun facts about Mardi Gras:

• Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a day of celebration that marks the end of Carnival season and the beginning of Lent. It’s a chance for people to eat a lot before they fast and give up something for Lent.
• Purple, green, and gold became the official Mardi Gras parade colors in 1872. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power.
• King cake is served at Mardi Gras to celebrate the three wise men who brought gifts for baby Jesus. There’s a plastic baby hidden in the cake and if you find it, you are crowned king or queen for the day (although this means next year you have to bring the cake).
• At the Mardi Gras parade, the people on the floats are required by law to either wear a mask or paint their face. This used to be so people in different social circles could associate with each other, but now it’s just a fun tradition that lets you keep a little mystery about who you are.
• Also at the parade, when the floats pass by, if you say,  “Throw me something, mister!” the people on the float will throw you beads and toys.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This delicious, vibrant treat is the perfect individual dessert to celebrate Fat Tuesday.

• Easy to make: Even though this dessert looks complicated, it’s really easy to make. You just have to make each color of Jello one at a time and then add it to the cups.
• Fun to make: Making Jello can be fun to do with your kids. They’ll be amazed at how the liquid solidifies and how each color makes it’s own layer.
• Always a hit at parties: Besides being colorful, everyone usually loves the combination of Jello and whipped cream, especially with some sprinkles thrown on top.

If you love Jello, you may also enjoy this Weight Watchers Orange Fluff recipe.

🥘 Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to help you make this delicious recipe. All of these ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, which can save you a trip to a specialty store.

• Jello: You will need 3 different flavors of Jello packets — grape, lemon and lime. By the way, you don’t have to use the name brand gelatin, the store brand will work just as well.
• Whipped cream: Top the Jello with either the kind that comes in a tub, like Cool Whip, or the kind that comes in a can, like Reddi Whip. Although, you don’t have to use the name brand, the store brand will be just fine.
• Decorative Sprinkles: If you want to stay with the Mardi Gras theme, you should use purple, green and gold sprinkles.

See recipe card for complete list of ingredients and quantities.

🌈Variations / Options / Add-Ins

Here are a few ways that you can personalize this delicious dessert recipe.

Different Flavors: Instead of lemon, grape, and lime, try pineapple (yellow), berry blue (purple), and lime (green) for a different taste. You can also try combining some gelatin for a different flavor — use grape + black cherry for a deeper purple, or lemon + mango for a more vibrant yellow.

Add Fruit: Adding some fresh fruit to the Jello before it sets can make this recipe even more delicious. Some suggestions are blueberries in the purple layer, pineapple tidbits in the yellow, and kiwi or green grapes in the green.

Additional Toppings: You could add gold, green, and purple sanding sugars or edible glitter for an extra festive sparkle.

If you want to try a sweet and salty treat for Mardi Gras, try these Rolo pretzel bites.

🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a couple kitchen tools to help you make this festive dessert recipe. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this sweet treat.

• Mixing bowls: You will need three different bowls to make the three different gelatin flavors.
• Cups: For this recipe, 9-ounce clear plastic cups work best because they provide enough space for the three Jell-O layers while leaving room for whipped cream and decorations on top.

🔪 How to Make This Layered Jello for Mardi Gras

This layered dessert comes together in just a few simple steps. Follow the instructions below and you will have a festive recipe to share and enjoy.

Step 1: Make the Grape Jello

Prepare grape Jell-o according to package directions. While the gelatin is still liquid, pour equal amounts into 6 clear cups. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.

Step 2: Make the Lemon Jello

Prepare lemon Jell-o according to package directions. While the gelatin is still liquid, pour equal amounts over the grape Jell-o in the cups. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.

Step 3: Make the Lime Jello

Prepare lime Jell-o according to package directions. While the gelatin is still liquid, pour equal amounts over the lemon Jell-o in the cups. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.

Step 4: Top with Whipped Cream and Serve

Before serving, top with whipped cream and decorative sprinkles.

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips

Here are a few tips to make sure that your dessert turns out perfectly every time that you make it.

• To get the perfect layered Jell-o cups, make sure to cool each layer fully before adding the next one.
• Pour gently when adding layers—use the back of a spoon to disperse the liquid and prevent mixing.
• You can make the process faster by chilling in the freezer for 20-30 minutes per layer instead of refrigerating for 2 hours (just don’t let it freeze solid).
• Cover the cups loosely with plastic wrap while chilling to prevent moisture buildup.
• Remove from the fridge 5-10 minutes before serving to take the chill off.

❓ Recipe FAQs

🙏 Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Layered Jello for Mardi Gras:

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📋 Recipe

Layered Jello for Mardi Gras

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Corinne Schmitt

This Layered Jello for Mardi Gras is the perfect individual treat for Fat Tuesday. It's colorful, easy to make and great for parties.

5 from 10 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Chilling Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Calories 162 kcal

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Equipment

• ▢
  Mixing bowls
• ▢
  Cups

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 ounce box Jello grape gelatin
• ▢ 3 ounce box Jello lemon gelatin
• ▢ 3 ounce box Jello lime gelatin
• ▢ water according to package directions
• ▢ whipped cream if desired
• ▢ decorative sprinkles or sugars if desired

Get ingredients with

Instructions

 

• Prepare grape Jell-o according to package directions. While the gelatin is still liquid, pour equal amounts into 6 clear cups. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
  3 ounce box Jello grape gelatin, water
• Prepare lemon Jell-o according to package directions. While the gelatin is still liquid, pour equal amounts over the grape Jell-o in the cups. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
  3 ounce box Jello lemon gelatin, water
• Prepare lime Jell-o according to package directions. While the gelatin is still liquid, pour equal amounts over the lemon Jell-o in the cups. Refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.
  3 ounce box Jello lime gelatin, water
• Before serving, top with whipped cream and decorative sprinkles.
  whipped cream, decorative sprinkles or sugars

Notes

Pro Tips

• If the melts are too thick, add 1 teaspoon of vegetable shortening or coconut oil to thin them out.
• While you dipping if the candy coating starts to harden pop it back in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds so that it loosens back up.
• Pour the melted candy into a tall, narrow cup instead of a bowl. This makes dipping easier and ensures a smooth, even coating.
• If the candy eyes won’t stay in place, you can add a bit of melted candy behind them and press lightly.
• If you want to give these at a party, place each treat into a cellophane bag, and close with a twist tie or ribbon.

 

Recipe FAQs

Can I use sugar-free Jello?

Yes! Sugar-free Jell-O works just as well, though it might set slightly firmer.

 

Can I make a creamy version of this Jello?

Yes! Stir in Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk, or Greek yogurt into each Jell-O layer before pouring for a creamy, opaque effect.

 

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the Jell-O cups 1–2 days in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator. Add whipped cream and sprinkles just before serving to keep them fresh.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3gSodium: 198mgPotassium: 3mgSugar: 37gCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.1mg

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