Old-Fashioned Jello Balls: A Nostalgic Holiday Treat
Remember those delightful, bouncy Jello balls your grandma used to make? They were a staple at potlucks and birthday parties, bursting with flavor and a touch of nostalgia. Well, guess what? You can recreate that magic with this incredibly easy recipe for Old-Fashioned Jello Balls, perfect for adding a festive touch to your holiday celebrations!
A Sweet Taste of Nostalgia
Let’s talk about these Old-Fashioned Jello Balls, a true retro treat perfect for the holidays! With just three simple ingredients, these sweet, chewy, and colorful little bites are a blast from the past.
They’re coconut-coated gems that are as tasty as they are fun to make. Plus, they’re great for holiday parties, candy boxes, or gifting to friends and family.
These Jello balls take me back to simpler times and feel like something Grandma would’ve made for a family gathering.
With a creamy and chewy texture, they bring a little extra festive fun to your dessert table.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy to Make: With just three ingredients and a few simple steps, these Jello balls are a no-stress recipe.
- Fun for the Family: Kids and adults alike love these sweet, chewy treats, making them a great family project.
- Versatile for Gifting: Pack them up in a cute box or jar, and you’ve got a homemade gift that’s both thoughtful and delicious.
- Eye-Catching Colors: The bright colors make these Jello balls perfect for holiday platters, bringing a festive pop to your table.
- Storable and Portable: They hold up well in the fridge or freezer, so you can make them ahead of time and bring them along to any holiday gathering.
- Budget-Friendly: With only a handful of ingredients, this recipe is easy on the wallet but big on flavor.
Let’s get into the recipe so you can whip up a batch of these adorable, Old-Fashioned Jello Balls!
Ingredients For Old-Fashioned Jello Balls
- Strawberry Jello
- Lime Jello
- sweetened desiccated or finely chopped coconut, divided
- Greek yogurt, divided
Tools You’ll Need
- Two 9×13 baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Two medium mixing bowls
- Rubber spatulas
- Rubber gloves (optional, but handy for rolling!)
- Small bowl for rolling coconut
Instructions for This Jello Ball Recipe
Prep Your Pan: Line two 9×13 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Mix the Red: In a medium bowl, combine ¾ cup yogurt, the red Jello, and 2 ½ cups of the coconut. Stir until well combined.
Prep the Coconut: Place about ¾ cup of the coconut in a small bowl.
Roll the Red Balls: Using gloves, scoop a slightly heaping ½ tablespoon of the red mixture and roll it into a ball. Roll the ball in the coconut and place it on one of the prepared cookie sheets. Repeat until all the red mixture is used.
Mix the Green: Repeat steps 2-4 for the green Jello, using a fresh ¾ cup of coconut to prevent color mixing.
Chill and Enjoy: Place the baking sheets in the fridge for 2 hours or until set.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Greek Yogurt Substitute: This recipe initially used canned thick cream, but Greek yogurt is an excellent replacement. It adds a subtle tang and keeps the texture creamy without overly rich.
- Control the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet treat, feel free to use unsweetened coconut. Just remember that it might absorb more moisture, so start with a smaller amount and add more if needed.
- Get the Right Coconut Texture: If desiccated coconut is hard to find, pulse regular shredded coconut in a food processor for a few seconds. This creates the right texture without turning the coconut into powder.
- Make It Ahead: These Jello balls store well in the fridge for up to two weeks, or you can freeze them for up to three months. Perfect for getting a head start on holiday prep!
Recipe Variations, Additions, and Substitutions
- Different Colors and Flavors: You can easily switch up the Jello flavors to create different colors and tastes. Try orange, raspberry, or even blue raspberry for a fun twist!
- Add Some Sprinkles: For an extra festive look, roll the balls in holiday-themed sprinkles after coating them in coconut. This gives them a fun and colorful pop!
- Use Cream Cheese for a Tangier Flavor: Swap half of the Greek yogurt for cream cheese if you want a richer, tangier Jello ball. It changes the texture a bit but keeps that creamy goodness.
- Try Other Yogurts: Greek yogurt works best, but you can also use regular yogurt if that’s what you have. Just be sure to drain any excess liquid before mixing to keep the texture right.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a different kind of yogurt?
A: Yes, but Greek yogurt works best because of its thick texture. If you use regular yogurt, try to drain any excess liquid to keep the mixture from getting too thin.
Q: Can I make these in advance?
A: Absolutely! These store wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. If you need them to last longer, just pop them in the freezer for up to three months.
Q: How can I make these less sweet?
A: Use unsweetened coconut instead of sweetened coconut, and you’ll cut down on the sugar. Just be aware that unsweetened coconut can absorb more moisture, so you might need a bit less of it.
Q: Can I use other flavors of Jello?
A: Definitely! This recipe is super adaptable, so feel free to get creative with other flavors like raspberry, orange, or even pineapple for a tropical twist.
Q: Do I have to coat them in coconut?
A: Not at all! If you're not a fan of coconut, you can roll these in finely chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even powdered sugar.
These Old Fashioned Jello Balls are a true holiday classic, combining ease with a dash of nostalgia.
They’re simple to make, loved by all ages, and adaptable for your favorite flavors.
Whether you’re bringing them to a party or enjoying them at home, these Jello balls are bound to be a holiday hit!
Enjoy whipping up this throwback treat and sharing the joy with friends and family.
Jello Balls Recipe
Old-Fashioned Jello Balls: A Nostalgic Holiday Treat
Equipment
- 2 9×13 Baking Sheets
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- 2 Medium Mixing Bowls
- 2 Rubber Spatulas
- Rubber Gloves
- Parchment Paper
- Small Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 3- Ounce Box Strawberry Jello
- 1 3- Ounce Box Lime Jello
- 6 1/2 Cups Sweetened Desiccated or Finely Chopped Coconut divided
- 1 ½ Cups Plain Greek Yogurt divided
Instructions
- Line two 9×13 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add ¾ cup yogurt, the red jello, and 2 ½ cups of the coconut to a medium mixing bowl. Stir until fully combined.
- Add about ¾ cup of the coconut to a small bowl.
- Grab some gloves. Scoop up a slightly heaping ½ tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Roll the ball in the bowl of coconut and place it on one of the prepared cookie sheets.
- Repeat until all of the red mixture has been rolled into balls.
- Repeat steps 1-5 for the green jello. Be sure to swap out the coconut you were using to roll the red balls with a fresh ¾ cup of coconut to roll the green balls in. This will ensure no colors mix.
- Place in the fridge for 2 hours or until set. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips:
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- You can use other flavors of jello to get other colors, if desired.
- Once set, these can be stored stacked on top of each other without issue.
- These used to be made with Nestle’s thick cream in a can. However, that has been discontinued. Through testing, we found Greek yogurt to be the best replacement, and it ended up making them taste even better than the original recipe! We did not find another replacement that worked as well.
- If you don’t want these to be as sweet, you can use unsweetened coconut instead. However, be aware that unsweetened coconut might soak up more of the moisture, so start with only a portion of the coconut and add more as you mix.
- If you find it difficult to locate desiccated coconut, you can just grab regular shredded coconut and pulse it a few times in a food processor. Works perfectly.
