Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

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by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated 16 Comments

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Jello 1-2-3 layered dessert was popular for years when Jell-O had a mix for it. The mix was introduced in 1969 and discontinued in 1996. You can still make this popular dessert at home.

Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (1)

You can make this fun dessert in no time at all. This is the perfect dessert for summer! It’s super easy to make, and since it is a refrigerated dessert it’s cool and refreshing.

Table of Contents

What’s in Jello 1-2-3?

This Jello dessert is made with the simplest of ingredients. You don’t need to look for anything exotic at all! You will need:

  • 4-ounce package of gelatine, your favorite flavor
  • ice
  • cold water
  • refrigerated whipped topping like Cool Whip
Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (2)

How to Make 3 Layered Jello

  1. Dissolve gelatin mix in boiling water in a bowl.
  2. Add enough ice cubes to cold water to measure 1 1/4 cups; add to gelatin mixture.
  3. Place in ablender, cover, and blend 30 seconds.
  4. Add whipped topping, cover, and blend until smooth.
  5. Pour evenly into four dessert dishes and refrigerate until set.

Why was Jello 1-2-3 Discontinued?

Many products come in and are treasured for a long time, but for no apparent reason, they are discontinued. This dessert was introduced in the 1970s but then discontinued in the 1990s. You could find this in 3 different flavors: Orange, Strawberry, and Mixed Berry.

After it was discontinued the folks at Jell-O were nice enough to put together a new recipe for us. Learn more about this dessert!

Now if only they would bring back those delicious chocolate pudding pops!

Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (3)

Can’t get enough Jello? Try these recipes

  • Orange Jello Salad
  • Lime Jello Salad with Horseradish
  • Jello Salad with Shredded Cheese
  • Jello with Marshmallows and Fruit

Popular Old-Fashioned Desserts

  • Strawberry Pie Recipe
  • Sour Cream Raisin Custard Pie
  • Homemade Pudding Cake
  • Bisquick Peach Cobbler
  • Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe
  • Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake
  • Mock Ritz Cracker Apple Pie
  • How to Make Kool Aid Pie
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Be sure to check out more of my easy dessert recipes and the best copycat food.

Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert

Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert is incredibly easy to make. Use your favorite flavor to make a colorful kid-friendly treat. Get the recipe and make it today!

5 from 11 votes

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Jell-O

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 121kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces any flavor gelatin mix
  • 3/4 cup boiling water
  • ice cubes
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1/2 cup thawed whipped topping (Cool Whip or similar)

Instructions

  • Dissolve gelatin mix in boiling water in a bowl.

  • Add enough ice cubes to cold water to measure 1 1/4 cups; add to gelatin mixture.

  • Put in a blender; cover and blend 30 seconds.

  • Add whipped topping. Cover; blend until smooth.

  • Pour evenly into four dessert dishes. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes or until set.

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 142mg | Potassium: 10mg | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 10mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jeff

    Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (5)
    Loved making this for my kids.

    Reply

  2. Trish Towles

    I made this last night, you only get the second and third layer, so my suggestion is,; buy 2 small boxes, make one as usual, put a small layer on the bottom of your jello glasses, let it set, then add the next to layers! Jello 1-2-3!!

    Reply

  3. Trish

    Can I use dream whip? And if so can I just use it in powder form?

    Reply

    • Stephanie

      I don’t know how this would turn out, I have not tested the recipe with a dream whip substitution.

      Reply

      • Trish Towles

        Thank you Stephanie, I just went and got the cool whip! I didn’t want to mess it up!! It was amazing! Brings me back to those younger years!!!💜

    • Stephanie

      I have not tested this recipe with dream whip.

      Reply

  4. anna wisner

    Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (6)
    Got all 3 layers, and I think it’s because we stirred in the cool whip by hand. Maybe the blender mixes it in too well? Thanks for a great recipe.

    Reply

  5. Gerry - BK

    Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (7)
    Wow, did my husband ever like this simple treat. It was just like he remembered from his childhood. I made this with orange jello and garnished with a little whipped cream for a nice light dessert. Thank you for sharing this quick and easy to make recipe that he is looking forward to making with the grand kids. BK

    Reply

    • Stephanie

      I am glad you liked it.

      Reply

  6. Elizabeth

    I remember whipping the jello up in a blender with Cool Whip, pouring it into clear parfait glasses. Then refrigerate them and there’d separate into 3 beautiful tiers. All varying shades of the same color with the top layer foamy. Then topping with some fresh berries and a mound of fresh Cool Whip. It was beautiful, and tasty. This turned Jell-O into an elegant dessert for the family. I’ve been looking on line for the recipe,
    Is my memory playing tricks on me? Isn’t that how it was done?
    I’m looking forward to parousing “CopyKat.com” website. I will definitely try her Jello 1,2,3

    Reply

  7. Tara

    If you’re going to just get two layers anyway you can just boil a cup of water and add the jello packet, stir to dissolve then add 1/2 cup heavy cream and mix. It’ll separate as it sets.

    Reply

  8. Dayna

    Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (8)
    I remember making a generic version not using the jello 123, it used cool whip and it was either cream cheese or sour cream, I can’t remember. I just remember creaming the cool whip with something else before adding it to the blender with the jello. Maybe someone else remembers this recipe?

    Reply

    • Debbie

      Fauna, my mom made this many years ago for the holidays with strawberry jello, crushed pineapple & cream cheese. I don’t remember if it also had cool whip but she dissolved the gelatin in the water, then mixed everything together. As it setup, it would create 3 different layers. I’ve been looking for the exact recipe for a while now.

      Reply

  9. Linda

    Just made it and yes it separated into 2 not 3 layers.. Does anyone know if diet jello and the reg. Jello makes a difference, I will try reg. next time. Just didn’t have any in the cabinet.

    Reply

    • Jim

      The original JELLO 1-2-3 AND Cool Whip and Dream Whip which were used for substitutes contained a different thickening agent then. ‘PURE FOOD’ groups called for the removal of chemically modified ingredients and the manufacturers changed the the thickeners in their products – Cool Whip could be refrozen but now once you thaw it you have to refrigerate it and use it within a shorter time same for Dream Whip which could be frozen after making and thawed later but now you have to make it and use it within an hour.

      Reply

  10. Liz Nelson

    Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (9)
    My daughter loved this! She thought it was so neat that the layers separated.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert Recipe - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why was Jell-O 1-2-3 discontinued? ›

Gradually, Kraft began to realize that it had overestimated Jell-O's staying power with consumers. Unfortunately, sales began to dwindle in the mid-1980s (following declining sales for Jell-O products across the board), leading to the gradual discontinuation of the Jell-O product.

How to make Jell-O from the packets? ›

Whisk together 1 cup of hot water with 1 packet of jello in a large bowl. Add 1 cup of cold water to the mixture and whisk it in. Pour the mixture into a jello mold and add some fruit, if desired. Let the jello set in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours, then serve.

When preparing Jell-O brand dessert What do you need to add to the powder? ›

Dissolve the gelatin mix in 3/4 cup boiling water. Add ice cubes to 1/2 cup cold water to make 1 1/4 cups. Stir the cold water into the gelatin until it's slightly thickened. Then just remove any unmelted ice cubes, and refrigerate the Jello mixture for 30 to 90 minutes, or until firm.

How did the Jell-O 1-2-3 work? ›

Jello 1–2–3 was a product that you mixed up like any regular gelatin or pudding mix, then poured the mix into clear dessert glasses and refrigerated it. As it sat, it would separate into 3 distinct layers with gel on the bottom, a “fluffy” somewhat pudding-like layer, and a top layer somewhat like Cool Whip.

When was Jell-O 1-2-3 discontinued? ›

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 happens if you don't use cold water for Jello? ›

The boiling water is important because it helps to fully dissolve the Jello powder and ensures that it will set properly. On the other hand, if you were to use only cold water, it would not dissolve the Jello powder as effectively and could result in a mixture that doesn't set properly or has lumps in it.

Does putting Jello in the freezer work? ›

When Jell-O freezes, the tiny pockets of liquid trapped inside harden and expand, but the gelatin itself stays flexible and pliable. What you end up with is a blend of hard and soft textures in a cool, chewy treat. Shockingly, you can eat it straight out of the freezer before it thaws without hurting your teeth.

What makes Jello harden faster? ›

Tips for Making Jello Set Faster

If you want to speed up the jello setting process, the effective way is to put your plastic serving bowl of gelatin jello mix in ice-cold water. Then, stir the bowl in the cold water and ensure the water doesn't get inside the container while dipping it in water.

How to make Jell-O better? ›

It's important to use the right amount of water, as using too much or too little can affect the taste and texture of the Jell-O. Additionally, you can add fruit, whipped cream, or other ingredients to enhance the flavor.

Does Jell-O go bad? ›

Jello. Shelf life: Unopened Jello dry powder mix will last indefinitely while sealed, pre-packaged prepared Jello will last 2-4 months past its “best by” date in the pantry and 12-18 months beyond a “best by” date in the refrigerator.

What is the secret ingredient in Jello? ›

Gelatin, the primary ingredient in Jell-O, is derived from collagen, a protein found in the connective tissues, bones, and skin of animals," Sabat says. "Historically, gelatin was obtained by boiling the bones and tissues of animals, such as cows or pigs, to extract collagen.

What happens if you add gelatin to pudding? ›

Setting with gelatin instead of cornstarch results in a creamy pudding that sits light on the tongue.

Why won t my jello pudding set? ›

If it hasn't set, leave the pudding in the fridge a while longer. Once your pudding has set, remove it from the fridge and stir it. Mix in any additional ingredients (banana slices, strawberries, etc.).

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.

Why is there a shortage of Jell-O? ›

Feedstock availability for gelatin in the U.S. is anticipated to remain tight in 2022 because of the pandemic, resulting in supply constraints such as trucker shortages and high absenteeism in the meat rendering industry, resulting in lower slaughter rates and high levels of wastage in the meat rendering process.

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 is there a gelatin shortage? ›

Trade restrictions and lockdowns enforced by many governments around the world caused the production of gelatin substitutes to stop. Due to the shortage of raw materials and the resulting supply chain disruption, output as a whole was significantly impacted.

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