Retro Strawberry Jello Salad
Happy Fourth! Today I’m sharing a retro strawberry jello salad recipe in celebration of the holiday. What could be more all-American than jello salad? This is not your traditional salad, however. Think strawberries and cream - light and sweet and so nostalgic!
It’s best to plan time in advance to set the jello. To get a layered look, there is a significant wait time between steps. It just takes a little patience, but the outcome is so worth it!
Retro Strawberry Jello Salad Ingredients
Strawberry Jello - You can pick this up at your local grocery store. It comes as a powder in a box and can easily be stored in a cupboard.
Fresh Strawberries - Choose strawberries that are well ripened for the best flavor. They should be darker in color and have a strong scent.
Whipped Cream - I whipped up some homemade whipped cream.
If you want something quicker, cool whip will also work at a 1:1 substitution and you can purchase that at the grocery store in the frozen desserts section. Let it stand out to thaw before use.
Where can I find a jello mold?
I found my vintage jello mold at a thrift store for only $4 - if you have the time it’s worth a look! Amazon also carries a similar mold to the one I have.
How do you release the jello from the jello mold?
Submerge the mold up to the jello line (and not covering the top) in hot water for 10 seconds. I used hot water that I boiled in my tea kettle and it worked, however, if you leave the mold in hot water for too long it can melt significantly resulting in a sloppy jello.
How to Make Retro Strawberry Jello Salad
Kitchen Tools
Spatula
Cake stand or plate
Ingredients
For the Top Layer
5 Large Strawberries, cut in half
3 oz Strawberry Jello
1 cup Boiling Water
1 cup Cold Water
For the Bottom Layer
3 ounces Strawberry Jello
1 cup Hot Water
1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons Cold Water
4 ounces Homemade Whipped Cream
1 cup Strawberries, diced
Directions
Step One - Place the halved strawberries in your jello mold and spread them equally around it, pointy ends facing out.
Step Two - Prepare a three ounce package of strawberry jello according to the directions on the box. Add the jello powder to a heat tempered bowl. Add 1 cup of hot water to the bowl and stir until dissolved. Mix in one cup of cold water.
Step Three - Add just enough jello liquid to the mold to set the strawberries in place. Place the mold in the fridge for 30 - 45 minutes (or until jello becomes solid enough to hold the strawberries in place). Cover and set aside the remainder of the jello liquid (not in the fridge).
Step Four - Once the jello is firm enough to hold the strawberries in place, remove the mold from the fridge and add the remaining jello liquid to the mold. Place the mold back in the fridge and let it set for another 30-45 minutes.
Step Five - Add 3 ounces of jello powder to a heat tempered bowl. Add 1 cup of hot water to the bowl and stir until dissolved. We are veering from the package directions now - add the 1/2 cup plus 6 tablespoons cold water and mix. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 15 - 20 minutes, just until the liquid becomes cool.
Step Six - Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and add the whipped cream, mixing well until smooth.
Add the chopped strawberries and mix.
Step Seven - Once the jello in the jello mold has set, remove it from the refrigerator and pour the cream layer over it. Place it back in the refrigerator for about 4 hours to let it set completely.
Step Eight - To remove the jello from the mold, dip the mold in hot water for about ten seconds, keeping the mold flat side up and only dipping it into water from underneath.
Place an upsidedown plate or a cake stand over the flat side of the mold (remove the tupperware lid before this, if any). Pressing the plate or stand against the mold, flip the mold over onto the plate or cake stand. This is the hardest part and the moment of reconning.
Phew! Glad that’s over! Give yourself a pat on the back!
Now all that’s left is to enjoy your beautiful work of art. I had so much fun making this treat and I hope you do too!
-Jessie