I realize that finger Jell-O is not necessarily rocket science to make — but if you’ve ever searched for a finger Jell-O recipe, you know there are a WHOLE bunch of different recipes that claim to be the simplest and/or the best. It’s crazy how something so simple could have SO many different variations!
Anyway, when Nora FINALLY started eating solid foods around age 2, we stumbled upon some finger Jell-O at a Christmas party. She kept asking for it — and although I figured she would just gag on it and spit it out like everything else, she gobbled it up almost before I could pull my hand away.
At the time, considering her extremely limited palate, I was literally shocked and immediately gave her another piece — and another. She just kept eating it (which was verging on miraculous at the time).
When we got home from that party, I quickly Googled “Simple Finger Jell-O recipes” and came up with a slew of different options to try.
Over the past year or so, I’ve tried a bunch of them — and THIS one is our absolute favorite.
Not only is it super simple to make, it makes a big pan, it ALWAYS turns out, and it’s the “sturdiest” finger Jell-O I’ve come across — which is nice for making fun shapes or just being easy to cut.
If you’re looking for a super simple, super quick, nearly fool-proof recipes for finger Jell-O, this is the one I’d recommend (and believe me, I’ve tried so many recipes, so this is my honest recommendation!)
Recipe for Our Favorite Finger Jell-O
Makes one 9″ x 13″ pan
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 boxes (8 serving size) of your favorite gelatin flavor
- 5 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 4 c. boiling water
- cookie cutters (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
- Dump both gelatin powders and all unflavored gelatin packets into a medium size bowl
- Add boiling water all at once and stir until all powder is dissolved
- Carefully pour into a 9″ x 13″ pan and refrigerate until set
- Once set, cut into squares or shapes and store in a tightly sealed food storage container (I put wax paper between the layers to keep the pieces from sticking to each other)
- Store in refrigerator
This is also a REALLY great recipe if you’re making any type of Jello shapes, Jello cubes, Jello “art”, or a Jello trifle salad where you mix pieces of colorful Jell-O with Cool Whip.
I fully realize that finger Jell-O might not be an “approved” food for many of the parents and grandparents reading this post — but I also know that a whole bunch of you probably feed it to your kiddos on a regular basis and might like to know our favorite recipe!
And just because I’m so nice 🙂 here’s a recipe for Homemade Finger Jell-O That’s Actually Good For You!
So, the next time you’re looking for a quick snack for the kiddos, whip up a batch of this finger Jell-O for a refreshing treat on a warm spring/summer afternoon.
Do you have a favorite finger Jell-O recipe?
Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family friendly recipes!
Debbie says
I’ve made it really thin. Put a layer of cool whip on top, again thin. Roll it up like a jelly roll and slice it for fun pinwheels! This weekend we’re making finger jello eggs. I’ve cut a hole about the size of a nickle in the large end of eggs. I shook out the egg (used it in my recipes. If you’re not making anything right away, put two eggs in a baggie and store back in the fridge to use in the future.) Once the egg shells were empty I rinse them well and then let them dry. When you make the jello just pour in the egg shell and set back in the egg box. Let set up in the fridge. Crack and peel the shell. They look like egg jems! I put them out on a bed of lettuce for fancy dinners around Easter. The more flavors you use, the more colored jems you have!!
Andrea says
yes, my mom used to do something like that with Jell-o around Easter/Spring too. We loved it!
Kathy says
How long will the last in refrigerator? I would like to make them ahead of big dinner.
Andrea says
it should last for several days in the refrigerator (probably even a full week). Just make sure it’s TOTALLY cooled before putting the cover on otherwise you’ll have lots of condensation in the container and the jello could get soggy.
Ann says
So in your experimenting, did you ever substitute apple or white grape juice for the water. Just to get it a “little” bit healthy?
Andrea says
no, I didn’t. And honestly, I don’t think juice would make it any healthier — if anything, it would add more sugar, so I’ll probably just stick with water as that’s cheaper!
Leah says
This really turned out perfect. I had to make 2 batches for a supper at my son’s school, so this was great. I’ve had trouble making finger jello before, so thanks very much for this recipe!
Andrea says
yay! Glad you liked it! I make a batch almost every week around here!
Brandette W. says
THANK YOU for sharing this post. I used to eat these when I was younger, but could never find a recipe that was just right. I don’t like regular jello, it’s too “soft” for my liking I guess, but Knox Blox (as we called them in CA) were always much heartier to eat.
I bought some big boxes of Jello flavors at the store today, so going to give it a try making your recipe for my little guy. I think that this recipe might just hold together easier for him to eat as a finger food. He doesn’t like jello either, ha!
Thank you again Andrea. Such a great recipe for us Mom’s.
Andrea says
yay!! Hope you love this super simple recipe!
Julia K says
This post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. In Australia – we just call Jell-o “Jelly” and it is traditionally a sweet wobbly dessert. My kids love it though I rarely make it.
As it turns out I was making goodies for my DD7’s upcoming “Frozen” themed birthday party. Naturally I surfed the net for inspiration and noticed that lots of mums made “Sven Frozen Ice Blocks” being blocks of blue Jell-o. I figured US jelly must be different ’cause it sure looks firmer than it’s Aussie cousin. My trial run was just a wobbly mess. Then at 10pm last night – I reread your post. It had NEVER occurred to me to ADD more gelatine to the mixture. So I made a fresh batch last night and added some extra gelatine. I am pleased to say that the product in my fridge looks decidedly firmer than yesterday’s effort.
Thanks for a timely post !
Carrie says
Have you made this with Regular Sugar Jello….I don’t like sugar free products(artificial sugar)?
Andrea says
yes, definitely! ANY type of Jell-o should work just fine — this was just the only Strawberry I had in the house and that’s what Nora requested 🙂
Tara says
You’re so sweet to include a healthy version too. I would be more prone to make those as I have all the ingredients on hand. Still, those Jello versions are seriously nostalgic for me. My mom used to make Jello all the time served with cool whip. Two products I just don’t keep in my house anymore, but I might have to make a whole food version with the healthy recipe and some organic whipped cream. Because every kid should have memories of eating jiggly food. Right?
Jenn in Indiana says
When I started dating my husband, I was introduced to these. But his family calls them “Knox Blox”. His grandma only made them at Christmas. She literally made every flavor and every available container would be used for them, she made that many.
Andrea says
Yes, the name “Knox Blox” is because she used the Knox brand unflavored Gelatin. I just use Meijer brand because it’s a lot cheaper — but either way, it’s delicious 🙂 Although it sounds like that might have been a bit too much Jell-O for me!!
Allison says
What is finger Jell-O?
Just jello you eat with your hands, so it’s sturdier than regular jello?
Ann says
Yes.
Emily says
Oooh those layered rainbow cups look super fun. I bet my kids would love them. We’ll have to try out your recipe!! I used to make gummies using gelatin and puréed fruit all the time. Delicious! Made your peanut butter pudding pie the other night…as expected it was a hit!! 🙂
Andrea says
Your gummies sound great — Nora might like those 🙂
deborah says
I’ve never seen or tried a recipe that calls for the unflavored gelatin for Jigglers. Have to give it a try! 🙂
Andrea says
That’s what makes them super thick and “sturdy”. They are SOOOO easy to cut and much easier for small hands to eat without making a huge mess!
Sarah L says
My toddler will eat nearly everything except jello! Funny how kids are so different. I make nearly the same recipe except I only use 3 or 4 plain gelatin. It’s still very sturdy and does not fall apart.
Jen T says
When do you add the vodka 😉
Andrea says
haha — when it’s not for the kids 🙂