Fourth of July Broken Glass Jello is a bright, festive dessert that looks just like edible stained glass! Colorful red and blue jello cubes are suspended in a creamy sweetened condensed milk base, creating a stunning effect that’s surprisingly easy to make!
This Broken Glass Jello is more than just a dessert—it’s a showstopper that steals the spotlight on any holiday table. One bite of the refreshing, jiggly texture and nostalgic flavor, and you’ll see why this festive treat disappears fast at every summer celebration.
Tools you’ll need to make this Easy 4th of July Dessert
- 2 x medium mixing bowls
- whisk
- cooking spray
- 2 x 8×8 square dishes (at least 1 inch deep)
- 9×13 rectangle dish (a
- t least 2 inches deep)
- large mixing bowl
Ingredients for Broken Glass Jello
2 (3-ounce/85g) boxes Red Jello – Creates the bright red gelatin cubes that give the dessert its festive color and fruity flavor.
2 (3-ounce/85g) boxes Blue Jello – Forms the vibrant blue gelatin cubes that complete the patriotic red, white, and blue look.
6 cups Boiling Water, divided – Dissolves the gelatin powders and helps them set properly.
2 (.25-ounce/7g) packets Unflavored Gelatin – Stabilizes the sweetened condensed milk layer so it firms up around the colored cubes.
2 (10-ounce/283g) cans Sweetened Condensed Milk – Creates the creamy white base that contrasts with and highlights the colorful gelatin cubes.
How long is this jello good for?
Store Fourth of July Broken Glass Jello covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This dessert is best enjoyed chilled and holds its texture well when kept cold. For convenience, it can easily be made 1–3 days ahead of time, making it a great option for holiday prep or party planning.
Freezing is not recommended, as it can cause the gelatin and sweetened condensed milk layer to break down and become watery or grainy once thawed.
Broken Glass Jello
Ingredients
- 6 oz red jello two 3 oz boxes
- 6 oz blue jello two 3 oz boxes
- 6 cups boiling water divided
- .5 oz packets unflavored gelatin two .25 oz packets
- 20 oz sweetened condensed milk two 10 oz cans, 283g (300ml)
Instructions
- Lightly spray the two smaller 8×8 dishes with a thin layer of cooking spray. You want this to be very thin. If any of the cooking spray pools in the bottom of the pan, use a paper towel to wipe up any excess.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine 2 boxes of the powdered blue gelatin with 2 cups of boiling water. Use a whisk to mix it vigorously; you'll want all the powder to be dissolved. Pour the blue jello into one of the small rectangle dishes. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours.
- Repeat this process with the red jello in the other smaller dish.
- Once the red and blue jello has set, we can prepare the final dish. Lightly spray a 9×13 pan with a thin layer of cooking spray. Remove the pans of jello from the fridge and cut the jello into 1×1 inch squares. Use a rubber spatula to remove the jello squares from the pans.
- Place the red and blue jello squares into the prepared 9×13 pan. Gently mix them together so that the 2 colors are evenly distributed.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 packets of powdered gelatin with 2 cups of boiling water. Whisk to dissolve the powder.
- Add the 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk to the bowl and use a whisk to combine them with the gelatin water. Let the bowl stand until it reaches room temperature. This is very important as the warm milk mixture could melt the red and blue jello.
- Once the condensed milk mixture cools, spoon it over the red and blue jello squares. (Spooning it in keeps the red and blue jello cubes from moving around too much!) It will settle in and around the jello squares. Chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours or up to overnight to properly set. Once set, slice into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
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Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes, this is a great make-ahead dessert and can be prepared 1–3 days in advance of serving. Just keep it covered and refrigerated until ready to slice.
How long does Broken Glass Jello last in the fridge?
It stays fresh for up to 5 days when stored covered in the refrigerator.
What kind of gelatin should I use for this recipe?
This recipe works best with classic boxed flavored gelatin, such as Berry Blue and Strawberry, for bold color and flavor.
Why do I need to spoon the milk mixture instead of pouring it?
Spoon it gently over the cubes so they stay in place and don’t float or shift around in the pan.
How do I get clean, neat slices when serving?
Use a warm knife and wipe it clean between cuts for smooth, sharp edges.
Does the condensed milk mixture need to cool before adding it?
Yes, it must reach room temperature first so it doesn’t melt the gelatin cubes when added.
Try more of our light, easy dessert recipes here:
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- Creamy Raspberry Jello is the easy, no-fuss dessert that shows up light, fluffy, and way more impressive than the effort it takes. A make-ahead favorite that always gets scooped clean.
- Turn crisp apple slices into a fun, shareable dessert piled high with caramel, melted marshmallow, chocolate, and sprinkles. Caramel Apple Nachos are easy to build, share, and devour!
- Quick & Easy Orange Sherbet is a refreshing 2-ingredient treat that comes together in minutes and tastes like pure sunshine in a bowl. The perfect frozen dessert for hot summer days.
Fourth of July Broken Glass Jello is the ultimate party showpiece—bright, bouncy, and almost too pretty to eat. Red and blue gelatin cubes suspended in a creamy base create a stained-glass effect that wobbles, shines, and steals the spotlight on any summer table.
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