Looking for a recipe for the upcoming Summer holidays? Red, White & Blue Layered Jello salad is delicious & it makes a beautiful presentation!
An easy, nostalgic, make‑ahead classic for summer gatherings
If you’re looking for something festive, refreshing, and delightfully retro for Memorial Day, Flag Day, or the Fourth of July, this Red, White & Blue Layered Jello Salad is one of those recipes that never goes out of style. It’s cool, creamy, colorful, and it always gets attention on the buffet table.
Even better — it looks complicated, but it’s wonderfully simple. Each layer sets up in the refrigerator while you go about your day, and by the time guests arrive, you have a gorgeous, sliceable dessert-salad that feels like a little piece of Americana.
In full disclosure, the picture above is just an example of how you could prepare it! I normally make it in a rectangle or round glass container.
The photo below is from the very first time I ever made this salad. The layers were a little crooked, and the top of my head didn’t quite make it into the shot — but I was so proud of it. I’ve referenced this picture in a couple of my patriotic posts over the years, and it still makes me smile. It’s one of those “perfectly imperfect” moments that reminds me how far my photography (and my patience with Jello layers) has come.
Why This Recipe Works
- Make‑ahead friendly — needs at least 8 hours to chill, so it’s perfect for prepping the day before.
- Feeds a crowd — about 15 servings.
- Flexible — swap raspberry for strawberry, use reduced‑fat cream cheese, or sweeten with Splenda/Stevia.
- Pretty on the table — the layers are naturally patriotic without being kitschy.
I’ve been making this recipe for years, usually in a 9×13 glass dish, but you can divide it into two smaller dishes or even use a loaf pan and a round bowl for a more sculptural presentation. The layers always shine through the glass. The picture below was taken right after the salad was taken out of the refrigerator.
Close Up of the Red, White & Blue Layered Jello Salad –
More Ideas/Suggestions-
An artificial sugar substitute such as Splenda or Stevia can be used in place of the sugar. 1 cup Splenda or Stevia in place of the 1 cup of sugar.
Reduced fat cream cheese can be substituted for the regular cream cheese.
While I haven’t tried it, I believe that strawberry Jello could be used in place of the raspberry Jello,
A dollop of whipped cream can be added to the individual servings to make the salad look even more festive!
For a grab and go dessert at an outdoor event, make the Jello salad in individual plastic cups.
Red, White & Blue Salad
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- small saucepan
- 9 x 13 x 2 inch dish
- 2 large mixing bowls
- hand mixer
- wooden spoon
- spatula
Ingredients
- 1 3 ounce package raspberry-flavored gelatin
- 1 3 ounce package blueberry-flavored gelatin
- 3 cups boiling water, divided
- 1 envelope unflavored gelatin I use Knox brand
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 cup Half & Half
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanillla extract
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 21 oz. can blueberry pie filling
Instructions
- Dissolve raspberry gelatin in 2 cups boiling water. Pour into a 9 x 13 x 2 in dish; Chill until firm
- Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in a medium saucepan; let stand 1 minute. Cook over low heat, stirring until gelatin dissolves.
- Combine half & half with sugar in a small saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Combine this with the unflavored gelatin mixture, vanilla and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.
- Gently pour cream cheese mixture over first layer of salad. Cover and chill until firm
- Dissolve blueberry gelatin in remaining 1 cup boiling water. Stir in blueberry pie filling.
- Gently pour pie filling mixture over first two layers of salad.
- Cover and chill at least 8 hours or until firm. To serve, cut salad into squares.
For More Red White & Blue Inspiration –
If you love easy patriotic recipes and summer styling ideas, you can explore more of my Red, White & Blue series — from simple table décor to nostalgic desserts and my favorite Soft Americana vignettes. I’ve shared this salad in a few of those posts over the years, including the original photo from the very first time I made it. It’s fun to see how these recipes and traditions evolve from one summer to the next.
This year in honor of the upcoming 250th birthday of America, I have started a new series called Soft Americana 250. The introductory post can be found here: Soft Americana 250: A Gentle Preview
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That desert is Awesome! Kim has made it several times since we have been in Florida and it has been a big hit each time!
Looks awesome.
thank you , Carol! It is really delicious!
This is perfect for July 4th or all summer long! And with hot weather…I’m in! Pinned!