Gelatin dessert

A sweet, jiggly dessert made by setting fruit juice or flavored liquid with gelatin, often in a decorative mold.

Gelatin dessert: A shimmering ruby-red molded gelatin dessert turned out on a white plate, clear and smooth with nothing set inside
  • Traditional and regional desserts
  • United Kingdom

Also called: jello, jelly

Gelatin desserts are made by blooming gelatin in cold liquid, dissolving it in warm liquid with sugar and flavoring, then chilling until set. They can be clear and jewel-like, layered in colors, made creamy with milk or set with pieces of fruit suspended inside.

Some fresh fruits, including pineapple, kiwi, papaya and mango, contain enzymes that stop gelatin from setting; cooked or canned versions work fine. To unmold, dip the mold briefly in warm water and turn it out onto a chilled plate. In Britain, the dessert is called jelly.

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. General History - More Than Just a Dessert: America's Gelatinous History, Virginia Tech Special Collections and University Archives