Creamy Lemon Jello made with just 3 ingredients! Easy Jello recipe made with Jello, vanilla pudding, and whipped topping for a simple and delicious dessert.
We LOVE jello! I’m guessing you feel the same too! Be sure to check out our AMAZING COLLECTION OF JELLO RECIPES here.
This no-bake dessert comes together with pantry staples, no fancy tools required. It’s kid-friendly, budget-friendly, and beautifully creamy with a refreshing lemony tang that’s not too sweet. Great for layering into parfait dishes or serving in a large bowl with a dollop of whipped topping.
Recipe Highlights
- Made with just 3 ingredients: lemon Jello, vanilla pudding, and Cool Whip.
- Low in fat and calories: I wouldn’t call it healthy, but this treat is significantly lighter than many other desserts. There are only 140 calories and 2 grams of fat per serving.
- Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or Sunday dinner dessert.
INGREDIENTS IN CREAMY LEMON JELLO
Jello: You just need 1 small box of lemon Jello (the 3-ounce size). Feel free to swap this out with any flavor you want!
Vanilla pudding: You will need 1 small box of cook & serve vanilla pudding (the 3-ounce size). Normally, you mix the pudding with milk, but for this recipe, you use water.
Cool Whip: You’ll need 12 ounces of Cool Whip. Make sure it is thawed completely before adding to the recipe.
TIPS FOR MAKING CREAMY LEMON JELLO
Full instructions for making the recipe can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips that I wanted to share:
- Be sure to use cook & serve pudding—instant won’t set the same way with this method.
- After boiling the pudding mix with water, stir in the Jello while the mixture is still hot so it dissolves completely.
- Chill the mixture fully before adding the Cool Whip, or it won’t mix smoothly.
- For an elegant presentation, use small parfait glasses and top with lemon slices or a dollop of extra Cool Whip.
Storing Creamy Lemon Jello
Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. It may start to lose some fluffiness over time, but it will still taste delicious!
Creamy Lemon Jello
Ingredients
- 1 small box lemon jello 3 oz
- 1 small box cook & serve vanilla pudding
- 12 oz Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Add 2 cups of water to a medium saucepan. Add the pudding and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the mixture begins to boil, take off heat and add the Jello.
- Stir until well combined and pour into a large bowl. Let it cool in the refrigerator for about 3-4 hours. Whip in the Cool Whip with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Divide into parfait dishes and serve. I like to garnish with a few lemon slices as well!
Nutrition
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FAQs
Can I use sugar-free pudding or Jello?
Yes! Sugar-free versions work well if you’re trying to reduce sugar.
Can I substitute homemade whipped cream for Cool Whip?
You can, but the texture will be slightly looser. Stabilized whipped cream works best if you swap it in.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely—this dessert is best served chilled, so it’s ideal for prepping the night before.
IS CREAMY LEMON JELLO HEALTHY?
Creamy Lemon Jello is pretty low in calories and fat. There is quite a bit of sugar in this dessert, but you could use sugar-free Jello and sugar-free pudding along with Lite Cool Whip to reduce the sugar and calories. The taste will be a little bit different, but still delicious! I like to mix my Creamy Lemon Jello with some Greek yogurt – you can use plain, vanilla, or even lemon, and this way you can add a bit of protein for a balanced snack that is high in protein and low in fat and carbs!
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT FLAVOR OF JELLO?
The best part about this recipe (and many other Jello recipes) is that you can use any flavor of Jello you want! I like strawberry or raspberry jello mixed with the vanilla pudding, but cherry, peach, and orange are also delicious. Any flavor will work!
More delicious lemon dessert recipes to try:
- Creamy & refreshing: Our Lemon Lush and Easy Lemon Chiffon Pie are light, layered, and full of citrus flavor.
- Baked classics: If you love lemon, try Easy Lemon Cake or our Lemon Poppy Seed Bread.
- Quick treats: For something fast, Lemon Cake Mix Cookies are a simple, tangy go-to.
This Creamy Lemon Jello is light, fluffy, and full of sweet citrus flavor. With just 3 simple ingredients, it’s an easy make-ahead dessert that’s perfect for springtime, potlucks, or whenever you’re craving something bright and creamy.
Dawn says
Could you use cooked Lemon Pudding rather than Vanilla ?
Nellie says
Absolutely! That sounds like a great way to intensify the lemon flavor!
Zoya says
Could you use milk rather than water?
Nellie says
I’ve never tried, but please let us know if you experiment!
Barrie says
Just made it. Easy enough. Quick question….could you put this in a mold instead of individual cups?
Jessica says
You can Barrie!
Barbara says
My son is diabetic and I couldn’t find sugar free vanilla pudding and pie that you cook. Can you substitute it with instant sugar free pudding mix using the water also?
Nellie says
I haven’t tried it with instant pudding, so I’m not sure! Please let me know if you experiment!
Karen says
I’m making this for a dessert table for a graduation open house. Wanted to know can I make a head since I need to make 65 small 5oz dessert cups? Also what is a serving size?
Nellie says
Yes, you can make this a day or two ahead of time! The serving sizes will be about 2/3 cup.
Karen says
Thank You
Florence Andrzejewski says
Can I use instant pudding?
Nellie says
I’ve never tried, but please let us know if you experiment!
Kristi says
I tried it with instant pudding. It worked great. I garnished with chopped strawberries. I will be making it again.
Nellie says
Thanks for letting us know Kristi!
tracy says
how can that person say you can use instant pudding? jello does not dissolve when it’s cold!! would not recommend that
Lucy C Corrales says
Does this recipie work out well if i pour the filling into a Graham cracker crust to make a pie?
Nellie says
The pie will definitely be soft, but I think that would work great! Let us know how it turns out!
Leslie says
Can you use this for cake filling? Or icing?
Nellie says
I’ve never tried, but it would probably be delicious as a cake filling!
Helen says
My family loves this simple recipe! We have made the lemon but the strawberry is just as yummy! My 97 year old Mom loves it! So simple to make!
Christina says
I accidentally bought lemon pudding instead of vanilla? Can I use lemon Jell-O and lemon pudding together with The Cool Whip?
Nellie says
Yes! The lemon flavor will be even stronger, so as long as you really like lemon, it’ll work great!
Tabatha says
Sorry if I missed it.
We absolutely loved the lemon recipe, but I have a pickie eater who will not eat or touch lemon or lime, can I sub the lemon for maybe a cherry flavor?
Jessica says
I think that sounds like a great idea Tabatha!
Kimi says
This is fantastic. I made lemon first as I’m a lemon anything fanatic. Raspberry and orange are also great. I also did sugar free and loved it. Thanks for a great recipe.