Vintage Christmas Jello Salad

Looking for a fun, classic, and colorful holiday treat? This Christmas Jello Salad is super easy, tasty, and feeds a crowd, perfect for all your holiday parties.

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I absolutely love anything that contains jello, I have loved it since I was a kid and still do to this day. This Christmas Jello Salad is one recipe I’ve been making for the longest time.

I remember my parents and their parents making versions of it when I was younger, and the recipe got passed down the line and evolved over the years.

With pineapple, cherry, lime, and coconut, this all comes together nicely, and the flavors work really well together, and we just cannot get enough.

This jello is a classic for a reason! It’s fun, it’s delicious and it’s beautiful. What’s not to love?

The fun colors of this really stand out, and then you top it will some tasty extras such as strawberries, cherries, limes, and mint. Of course, you can top it with whatever you like.

Bring it to any holiday get-together and it’ll be an instant hit.

If you love color, a great make-ahead dessert, and just something classic and fun – then I suggest making this Christmas Jello Salad for any of your upcoming gatherings.

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Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE CHRISTMAS JELLO SALAD:
• FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• WHAT KIND OF PAN IS BEST FOR THIS?
• DO I HAVE TO USE PINEAPPLE CHUNKS?
• CAN I USE ANOTHER JELLO?
• ANY ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Christmas Jello Salad

1. Minimal ingredients help this come together nicely.
2. The flavors really work together.
3. It is a fun and colorful dessert to bring to any party or gathering.

• Cherry jello
• Lime jello
• Pineapple chunks
• Unflavored gelatin
• Granulated sugar
• Unsweetened coconut milk
• Maraschino cherries, for garnish
• Sliced strawberries, for garnish
• Lime slices, for garnish
• Fresh mint, for garnish

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1. Mix the cherry and lime jello in separate bowls according to their package instructions. 
2. Pour into separate loaf pans, chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. After 1 hour, remove the lime jello and stir in the diced pineapple chunks. Place in the refrigerator again and allow the lime jello mixture and cherry jello to chill for another 3 hours.
4. Towards the end of the 3 hours, add the unflavored gelatin and sugar to a medium-sized bowl. Stir to combine. 
5. Add the coconut milk and ¼ cup cold water. Whisk until dissolved, about 2 minutes.
6. Add 1 ¼ cups of boiling water. Whisk again to combine. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature (if it’s too warm, it will melt the jello cubes).
7. Cut the lime and cherry jello into 1-inch cubes. Layer the bottom of a jello mold ring pan with the cubed jello.
8. Pour the cooled coconut milk jello mixture over top.
9. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight until firm. 
10. Unmold the jello and garnish with the cherries, strawberries, lime, and mint before slicing and serving.

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WHAT KIND OF PAN IS BEST FOR THIS?

You can use either a silicone jello mold or a standard bundt pan for this recipe. If you are using a standard bundt pan, you are going to need to grease the pan to make sure the jello comes out.

DO I HAVE TO USE PINEAPPLE CHUNKS?

If you don’t like the big pineapple chunks, you can also use pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple in its place. Make sure they are still well drained, and you use the same amount.

CAN I USE ANOTHER JELLO?

To keep up with the Christmas theme for this recipe, you will want to keep the lime jello, but you can swap out the cherry jello for strawberry or another red jello of your choice.

ANY ADDITIONS?

Want to add a fun twist or make this jello salad recipe even more festive? Try mixing in these goodies:

• Mini marshmallows for a fluffy, fun thing in every bite
• Cool Whip or whipped cream piped on top for that sweet side dish finish
• Mandarin oranges in the middle layer for a tangy flavor burst
• Cottage cheese to turn it into a classic fluff salad
• Cranberry sauce for a tart touch that screams holiday season
• Fresh strawberries mixed with the red layer for fruity flavor
• Cream cheese layer to create a richer second layer texture
• Chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) for crunch in the green layer
• Sprinkles or edible glitter on top for a festive look on the holiday table

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Here are some clever ingredient swaps if you want to make this Christmas Jell-O your own:

• Use raspberry gelatin or strawberry jello instead of cherry for a different red layer
• Try lemon gelatin in place of lime for a citrusy twist
• Swap coconut milk for pineapple juice to add more fruity flavor
• Use sour cream instead of coconut milk for a creamy, tangy flavor
• If you’re out of pineapple chunks, use drained pineapple crushed or tidbits
• Want a dairy-free version? Use almond or oat milk mixed with unflavored gelatin
• Replace maraschino cherries with fresh sliced strawberries for a lighter topping
• Don’t have a jello mold? Use a glass dish or large bowl for easy transport and slicing

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REFRIGERATOR: This can be stored in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container where it will keep for up to 5 days.

FREEZER: I do not suggest freezing this recipe.

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Love yourself a good jello recipe that is perfect for the holidays? This Christmas Jello Salad is a classic, super fun, and all-around flavorful.

If you’ve tried this CHRISTMAS JELLO SALAD let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!