Mexican jello is a popular dessert known for its bright colors and refreshing taste. This easy and fun recipe is a favorite dessert that young and old love all over Mexico. Learn how to make this recipe for your next family gathering or a fiesta. This Mexican jello is a delicious treat that's sure to please everyone's taste buds.

Gelatina de mosaico served in two plates next cherries and mint.

Mexican Jello

In Mexico, we love gelatins of all shapes and sizes. Coloful gelatins are sold at markets, state fairs, central plazas, and food carts. They can be prepared using water or milk base and can have a single flavor or multiple ones. Some people make them with intricate designs ranging from flowers and hearts to butterflies. Another great thing about this tasty treat is that it can be made ahead of time and is ideal if you are on a low budget.

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Mexican Jello
Frequently Asked Questions about Mosaic Jello.
How to Make Gelatina de Mosaico
What to Serve with Gelatina de Mosaico
More Authentic Mexican Food Recipes
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Not only is this recipe economical and the ingredients easily available, but it's also easy to customise. Believe it or not, I have known people adding tequila to it or changing some kinds of milk to whole milk or coconut. This may be one of the many reasons people in Mexico love this Jello, or maybe it brings memories of our childhood.

One thing I know is that this easy jello dessert is a fun and easy dessert to make and enjoy with my family. So if you’re looking for the perfect treat anyone will love, look no further and try this coloful gelatin that kids and adults love.

Gelatina de mosaico over a cutting board, next to strawberries, cherries and plates.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mosaic Jello.

Before I share my recipe, I will answer the questions I usually get about this homemade recipe.

What is gelatina de mosaico?

This gelatin is known all over Mexico and has been around since the arrival of the Spaniards. Once considered a dessert only dedicated to higher classes, it is now a popular dessert, especially at kids' parties. The colorful mix of colors creates a look of a mosaic (Mosaico) or stained glass. This sweet treat is so popular in Mexico that it can be found in grocery stores, street vendor stands and markets (mercados). The different flavors depending on taste, but some chose to get white, green and red to represent the colors of the Mexican flag.

What are the ingredients in gelatina de mosaico?

The traditional Mexican Jello or Gelatina de mosaico includes three different kinds of milk: condensed, evaporated, and media crema (thick half and half from a can). It also includes different colors of packed gelatin like strawberry, lemon, grape, and clear, unflavored gelatin (also known in Mexico as grenatina). Other ingredients found in this dessert are vanilla extract, whole milk, juice or fresh fruit.

How long does jello take to set?

Jello usually takes about 4 hours to set or until the gelatin is firm and doesn't stick to your fingers. I like to make this gelatine overnight to let it set.

Can I substitute ingredients?

Of course, you can add or change any original ingredients, like swapping the media crema for whole milk or adding your favorite flavor to the recipe. The time of consistency of the recipe may vary; you can always adjust according to your taste.

How to store Mexican jello

Store your jello in an airtight container or, if you decide to make this recipe, in individual cups to cover with wrapped plastic. This tasty treat lasts up to seven days when stored in a covered container in the refrigerator.

How to Make Gelatina de Mosaico

Ingredients

Here is the list of ingredients you need for this recipe:

Cherry gelatin
Strawberry gelatin
Orange gelatin
Lime gelatin
Water
Vegetable oil (cooking spray is ok)
Cold water
Unflavored gelatin
Sweetened condensed milk
Evaporated milk
Media crema (heavy whipping cream it's ok)
Vanilla extract

Ingredients like jell-o, condensed milk, clean gelatin and vanilla.

Instructions:

This recipe is super easy, but read all the instructions and prepare your dishes before preparing your gelatin.

Prepare the colorful gelatin layers:

In a saucepan, boil 1 ½ cups of water for each gelatin flavor (6 cups total). I like my gelatine a bit solid for better consistency.
Once the water boils, add each gelatin mix into individual bowls, one flavor per bowl.
Pour 1 ½ cups of boiling water into each bowl with the gelatin mix, stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved in each bowl.
While the gelatin is cooling, choose 4 square or rectangular molds and add oil with the help of a brush to make sure your gelatine doesn't stick to it. (You can use pam spray too).
After the gelatines are at room temperature, pour one flavor of the prepared gelatin into the mold. Refrigerate until it sets ( about 2 hours). You can do this step a day ahead of assembling this dessert.

Prepare the condensed milk layer:

Add condensed milk, media crema, evaporated milk, and vanilla into your blender to make the milk layer.
In a microwavable bowl or measurable cup, add the ¾ cup of water and sprinkle the 4 packages of unflavored gelatin.
Mix well with a spoon and dissolve any lumps. Let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow the gelatine to bloom.
After the gelatin blooms, place the bowl in the microwave and heat for about 1 minute until the gelatin dissolves and is completely liquid.

Clear gelatine disolved in hot water in a measurement cup.

Add the clear and unflavored gelatin to the milk gelatin mixture and blend until it is completely incorporated.
Let the mixture cool to room temperature.

Time to assemble the gelatina de mosaico

Grease the inside of a 7 x 11-inch rectangular pan or large bundt cake mold with vegetable oil.

Placing oil in a white mold with a brush

Remove the 4 flavored gelatins from the refrigerator and cut them into ⅜ or ½ inch cubes. Do not cut them any smaller.

easily removing strawberry gelatin with an spatula from molds.

Place about one-quarter of the flavored gelatin cubes at the bottom of the greased pan. Mix colors to give the gelatin a beautiful colorful appearance.

Different color gelatin in a white dish.

Pour the milk mixture into the pan with the flavor gelatins. Ensure the milk mixture is at room temperature, not hot or warm, or it will dissolve your color gelatin.

Milk mixture poured over different color gelatin.

Keep mixing the color gelatine and milk mixture until everything is incorporated.
Refrigerate the entire mold until the gelatin is set and firm. (About 8 hour or overnight)

Unmold and serve:

To unmold the gelatina de mosaico, gently run a knife along the edges of the mold to loosen the gelatin.
Dip the mold in warm water for a few seconds to help release the gelatin more easily.
Invert the mold onto a serving platter, and the gelatina de mosaico should slide out.

Notes:

We use Jello brand gelatin to make this recipe. If you use other brands of gelatin, the results may vary.
It is very important to let the milk mixture cool before adding it to the color gelatin, or it will melt and result in a messy dish.
It is best to refrigerate the gelatin for 8 hours or overnight. This way, cutting and removing from the pan at serving time will be firmer and easier. If you are in a hurry, the minimum recommended time is 6 hours.
It is typical to make this recipe in a bundt pan, but you can always use any shape container, even individual cups.
To easily remove the gelatin from the mold make sure you grease the mold evenly. If you still have trouble removing the jello from the container, carefully place it in hot water, making sure not to let any water get into the jello. Remove after one minute or until your jello is free from its container.
If you don't want to invert the pan to remove the gelatin, you can cut and serve the gelatin from the pan.

Gelatina de mosaico served in a white plate next to strawberries, cherries and mint.

What to Serve with Gelatina de Mosaico

This Mexican Jello is ideal for birthday parties, Christmas, reunions, or even a sweet treat on a summer day. This recipe is one of those desserts that go well with many things, like the Mexican spaghetti rojo or another kid's favorite Mexican chicken salad. If you want something spicy to balance your dessert, try the tequila shrimp recipe and shrimp cocktail. Wherever meal you choose to pair this tasty treat or serve it by itself, it will surely impress your guest at your next party.

More Authentic Mexican Food Recipes

And in case you would like to try other Mexican recipes, you can check my other recipes:

Pineapple pie recipe

Tres leches cake

Peach cake roll

If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment below and tell us all about it!

-Mely

For more recipes, follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. In español Visit Us at Mexico en mi cocina.

Gelatina de Mosaico (Mosaic Jello)

Mexican Jello