The sweet, fruity flavor and jiggly texture of Jello make it a popular dessert. Yet, it can be difficult to prepare an ideal quantity of Jello and you may end up with leftovers.
So what do you do with leftover jello?
With leftover jello, you can make various jello desserts such as jello parfaits, broken glass jello, etc. You can also make jello popsicles or smoothies to help you stay cool on hot summer days. Champagne can also be flavor-boosted by adding jello ice cubes. It can also be kept for seven to ten days in the refrigerator.
In this article, we went through all the fun and easy ways you can repurpose leftover jello. Continue reading to learn more about these recipes-
What to Do With Leftover Jello?
Having leftover jello is similar to the situation where you don’t know what can be done with messed up the choux pastry. Although unlike the pastry the leftover jello can be easily used.
Leftover jello powders can easily be stored in packets or tupperware for later usage. The formula stays intact for a long time if they are stored properly.
On the other hand, leftover jello shots and jelly form jello can be repurposed into a variety of creative and delicious treats. Along with creating a new dessert, jello can be used as a fun and colorful addition to cocktails or mocktails. Moreover, jello can be added to your regular meals as well.
What to Do with Leftover Jello in Jelly Form?
You can easily melt leftover jello in jelly form into any shape you want. Now let’s check out how you can use the leftover jello in easy recipes with jello mix-
Make Jello Parfaits:
You will need 2 cups of boiling water, 2 cups of cold water,1 cup of whipped cream
, and 1 cup of fruit along with your leftover jello for this recipe. You will need 3-4 small jars for this as well.
If your jello is already in cube shape, you will have to melt them into liquid form first. Put them over a pot of boiling water and stir slowly. They will start melting within 30-40 seconds.
Once the jello is liquid, pour 3 tablespoons of jello liquid into the small jars. Now set the remaining jello liquid aside and put these jars in the fridge for 2-3 hours.
Once the jello is set, take the remaining jello and half of the whipped cream into a large bowl. Use a hand beater to mix them until the texture is thick like mousse.
Now take the chilled jello jars out of the refrigerator and evenly layer the mousse on top. But don’t forget to leave sufficient space on top for the whipped cream decoration.
After that place the jars in the refrigerator and leave them for a few hours. Once the jello parfaits have chilled, take them out. Use a pipping bag to decorate them with whipped cream.
You can use various flavored icing like seafoam green icing to decorate it as well. Add the fruit of your choice on top of the whipped cream and your jello parfait is ready.
Make Broken Glass Jello:
You will need one .25-ounce envelope of unflavored gelatin, 1 cup of hot water, one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk, and a glass baking dish.
First, cut the leftover jello into small cubes and spread them evenly on the glass baking dish. Next, dissolve the packet of unflavoured gelatin in a bowl along with 1 cup of hot water.
Check the gelatin box to see if there’s any specific direction for dissolving the gelatin. Let this mixture sit for a couple of minutes. Next Whisk continuously as you add the sweetened condensed milk to the gelatin. The amount of condensed milk will depend on your preference.
Let the mixture cool for a couple of minutes. Then pour it over the jello on the glass baking dish. After that place the baking dish in the fridge for a couple of hours.
Once the gelatin is set, take the baking dish out. Cut the jello into a square shape using a knife and your broken glass jello is ready!
Make Jello Shots:
You will need 1 cup of alcohol (vodka, rum, or tequila) and several plastic shot cups. Along with the leftover jello and lids.
First, heat the jello to melt it into liquid form. After the jello is thoroughly liquid, add the preferred alcohol and stir well.
After that pour the mixture into plastic shot cups, filling them about 2/3 full. And place them in the refrigerator. The jello shots need to be chilled till they are completely set. It usually takes 2 to 4 hours.
Once the Jello shots are set, add the lids to the shot cups. Until you are ready to serve them, keep them refrigerated.
Make Jello Smoothie:
You would need 1 cup of fresh fruit, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt.
First, put the jello into a blender and add the fresh fruit, yogurt, milk, and a few ice cubes to the blender. Next, turn on the blender and blend the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.
Add extra milk or cold water to the mixture to thin it down if the mixture is too thick. Taste the smoothie. If the mixture is not sweet enough to your liking add sugar or honey to it and blend.
Pour the smoothie into glasses and place them in the fridge for 30 minutes. Serve once the smoothie has chilled.
Store Jello in Refrigerator:
If you don’t want to use the leftover jello, you can freeze them for some time as well. All flavor and texture of jello remain intact for 7-10 days in a refrigerator. It is recommended not to use jello after this time frame.
Whether you have jello shots or jello in the jelly form you need to cover them properly. Although using an airtight container is preferred, you can instead use aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
If you are using plastic wrap or aluminum foil make sure to wrap them. Wrap them tightly around your bowl or dish and then place them in the refrigerator.
What to Do with Leftover Jello Shots?
All of the above recipes can be done with jello shots as well. Having alcohol in the jello won’t affect any of the recipes. But along with those you use the leftover jello shots in the following way-
Make Jello Shot Popsicles:
You will need 5-6 popsicle molds and popsicle sticks for this. You can try the wavy pop popsicle molds. First re-heat the jello shots and melt them into liquid form.
After that pour the liquid jello into the popsicle mold and add popsicle sticks. You can add various toppings like small fruits in this as well. Now freeze them for a minimum of four hours, or until completely frozen.
In order to remove the popsicles from the molds, keep running warm water on the outside of the mold for a few seconds. Serve the Jello shot popsicles and enjoy responsibly!
Always make sure to label the popsicles clearly if they contain alcohol, and keep them out of reach of children.
Add them to Champagne:
This is a fantastic way to add extra flavor and upgrade your champagne to make it more enjoyable. Cut the jello shots into small cubes and add them directly to your champagne and enjoy!
Use them as Ice Cubes:
Jello shot ice cubes are an excellent way to keep your beverages cool without diluting them. In order to make jello shots or ice cubes, first put them over a pot of boiling water and stir slowly.
They will start melting within 30-40 seconds. Pour them into an ice cube tray when they are entirely liquid and let them freeze until solid. You can try the Kitch ice cube tray. Once they are completely solid add them directly to your drink.
So I hope now you know how to repurpose leftover jello.
How To Make Jello Accurately in the Future? 3 Tips!
Here are 5 tips to make sure you make an accurate amount of jello for your next recipes-
Tip 1: Measure Your Liquid Carefully
Be sure to measure your liquid carefully using the correct measurement cups. Follow the instructions on the Jello package to get the correct proportion.
Tip 2: Adjust for Added Ingredients
If you plan on adding fruits you need to adjust the amount of liquid. As a general rule, you can reduce the liquid by 1/4 cup for every cup of fruit.
Tip 3: Use Correct-size Mold or Dish
If you’re not sure how much Jello you need, measure the volume of your mold or dish using a measuring cup. And then make jello accordingly. You can also learn to use the jello mold of Tupperware.
Jello comes in a wide variety of flavors and colors. So don’t shy away from trying on new flavors every now and then. It takes 2-3 hours to set completely. Therefore plan ahead and take extra time for making any recipe to get the best texture and flavor from jello.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Does Jello Powder Remain Edible After Two Years?
Yes, Jello Powder is still edible after 2 years. Unopened jello gelatin boxes can be stored indefinitely. But, if the jello is prepared, it only has a week or so to last. The shelf life of jello might vary depending on the type, package, storage technique, and bonding agent utilized.
What is the Difference Between Jell-O and Jelly?
The difference between Jell-O and Jelly is the source. Jell-O is a well-known brand that has flavor-infused gelatin. This gelatin is not produced from fruits; rather, it is made from animal resources such as hooves and bones. On the other hand, Jelly is a fruit-based food that is prepared by adding sugar and pectin to boiled fruit.
How Long Will Leftover Jello Last in the Refrigerator?
Jello usually lasts in the fridge for 7 to 10 days. However, the texture and consistency of gelatin get altered so it’s best not to store them for a long time. The likelihood of freezer burn increases with the amount of time Jello is kept in the freezer. So keep it tightly wrapped in plastic.
End Words
That was all about what to do with leftover jello. Hopefully, you were able to pick a suitable recipe option for your leftover jello. All of the recipes are quite easy to follow through and require regular ingredients.
Simply choose one of the recipes and have fun with your jello. Until next time!
