Delightful Creamy Berry Lemon Jello is the perfect summertime treat! Sweet & tangy lemon Jello combined with fresh berries and cream for a refreshing dessert everyone enjoys!
These lemon blueberry bars are made with a tangy filling and a layer of mixed berries, all held together with a tangy Jello. The combination of flavors and textures in this lemon dessert is sure to impress anyone who tries them!
Summertime Treat: Creamy Berry Lemon Jello
Creamy Berry Lemon Jello is a delicious and refreshing dessert that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with the sweet taste of mixed berries. This dessert is a perfect treat for hot summer days and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
One of the best things about this Berry Lemon Jello is its versatility. The recipe can be modified to suit individual tastes and preferences. For example, different types of berries can be used, or experiment with different Jello flavors to create a unique and tasty dessert!
Why You’ll Love This Simple Jello Recipe
- Refreshing and light: The combination of lemon and berries gives this dessert a refreshing and light flavor that is perfect for summer. It’s not too sweet, and it’s a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without feeling weighed down.
- Versatile: You can easily customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences. You can use different types of berries, or even substitute the lemon Jello for a different flavor. You can also adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less sugar.
- Great for entertaining: Creamy Berry Lemon Jello Squares is a great dessert to serve when you’re entertaining guests. It’s easy to make in advance, and it looks beautiful when served in individual portions. Your guests will love the refreshing flavor and creamy texture.
Berry Lemon Jello Square Ingredients
Graham cracker crumbs: For the crust of this dessert, you will need 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs (about 24 squares).
Sugar: Use 1 ⅓ cups of sugar, divided, to make this treat perfectly sweet.
Butter: Bind the crust together by adding ½ cup of butter, melted, to the cracker crumbs.
Berries: For a delicious layer in this dish, you need 2 ½ cups of fresh berries, divided. I used chopped strawberries and whole blueberries, but you can use whatever berries you prefer.
Lemon gelatin: Use one 3-oz package of lemon gelatin will give this dish amazing flavor and texture too.
Water: Dissolve the gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water.
Cream cheese: You will need one 8-oz block of cream cheese, softened, for a tangy and creamy filling.
Vanilla extract: Enhance the flavors in this treat by using 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Whipped topping: Using one 16-oz tub of frozen whipped topping, thawed, gives the filling a nice fluffy texture.
How to make Creamy Lemon Berry Jello
Crust
In a large bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, ⅓ cup sugar, and butter. Stir well to combine ingredients.
Next, set aside 2 tablespoons of the mixture for topping and press the remaining crumb mixture into a 13×9 dish.
Top the crust with 2 cups of the berries, spreading them evenly over the top.
Assemble
In a separate small bowl, dissolve the gelatin in boiling water; let it cool.
After that, in another large bowl, beat the cream cheese and remaining 1 cup sugar with an electric mixer. Then add in the vanilla extract; mix well.
Slowly add the dissolved gelatin into the cream cheese mixture, mix well. Now fold in the whipped topping.
Spread the mixture over the berry layer, covering the entire surface. Top with the reserved crumb mixture and remaining berries.
Chill
Cover the pan and refrigerate until set, this takes about 4 hours.
When ready to serve, slice and enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions for Berry Lemon Squares
Alternative Berries: While this recipe calls for strawberries and blueberries, there are many other berries that would work well in these creamy berry lemon Jello squares. Blackberries, raspberries, cherries, and cranberries would all be delicious substitutes.
Fun Additions: If you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of fun additions you can include in these Jello squares to make them even more exciting. Try adding chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, for a crunchy texture. You could also add shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
Dietary Adjustments: If you’re looking to make these Jello squares fit your dietary needs, there are a few substitutions you can make. For a vegan version, use agar agar powder instead of gelatin. You can also use a sugar substitute, such as stevia or erythritol, instead of regular sugar. Finally, if you’re gluten-free, make sure to use a certified gluten-free brand of Jello.
Creamy Berry Lemon Jello Squares
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs about 24 squares
- 1 ⅓ cups sugar divided
- ½ cup butter melted
- 2 ½ cups fresh berries divided ( I used chopped strawberries and whole blueberries)
- 3 oz lemon gelatin
- 1 cup boiling water
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 16 oz frozen whipped topping thawed
Instructions
- Crust: In a large bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, ⅓ cup sugar, and butter. Stir well. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the mixture for topping and press the remaining crumb mixture into a 13×9 dish.
- Top the crust with 2 cups of the berries, spreading them evenly over the top.
- Assemble: In a separate small bowl, dissolve the gelatin in boiling water; let it cool.
- In another large bowl, beat the cream cheese and remaining 1 cup sugar with an electric mixer. Then add in the vanilla extract; mix well.
- Slowly add the dissolved gelatin into the cream cheese mixture, mix well. Fold in the whipped topping. Spread the mixture over the berry layer, covering the entire surface. Top with the reserved crumb mixture and remaining berries.
- Chill: Cover the pan and refrigerate until set, this takes about 4 hours. When ready to serve, slice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Storage and Shelf Life for Creamy Jello Bars
Creamy Berry Lemon Jello Squares can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After that, the texture may become less firm and the berries may start to break down.
Best method to achieve a creamy texture in a Jello dessert
To achieve a creamy texture in a Jello dessert, it is important to use a combination of cream cheese and whipped cream. The cream cheese provides a tangy flavor and helps to thicken the mixture, while the whipped cream adds lightness and airiness.
How long does it take for a lemon Jello dessert to properly set?
The time it takes for a lemon Jello dessert to properly set will depend on the size and depth of the container used. Generally, it takes about 2-4 hours for the mixture to fully set in the refrigerator.
Are there any dairy-free alternatives for making a Jello dessert?
Yes, there are dairy-free alternatives for making a creamy Jello dessert. Coconut cream or coconut milk can be used in place of cream cheese and whipped cream to achieve a similar texture and flavor. Additionally, there are vegan gelatin alternatives available that can be used instead of traditional gelatin.
Even more JELLO desserts:
- NO-BAKE STRAWBERRY JELLO PIE
- LEMON JELLO CAKE
- CREAMY EASTER JELLO PARFAITS
- CREAMY RASPBERRY JELLO
- NO BAKE STRAWBERRY JELLO CHEESECAKE
- BLUEBERRY JELLO SALAD
- CREAMY LEMON JELLO
- ORANGE JELLO SALAD
- CREAMY PINEAPPLE LEMON JELLO
- STRAWBERRY PIE RECIPE WITH JELLO
- RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE JELLO
- EASY JELLO MILKSHAKES
- STRAWBERRY JELLO PARFAITS
- RASPBERRY JELLO POKE CAKE
Creamy Berry Lemon Jello Squares are sweet and tangy layers mixed with berries! This lemon dessert is perfect for your next backyard BBQ or family event, everyone is sure to enjoy it.
Terry says
These bars look absolutely scrumptious, ladies! What do you think about adding a thin layer of melted chocolate on top of the crust, to help prevent the cut strawberries from possibly making the crust soggy? Thanks!
Nellie says
Chocolate is always a good idea!