Patriotic Jello Squares

A Creamy Red, White & Blue Dessert That’s Perfect for the 4th of July

If you’re looking for a fun dessert that always gets people talking, these Patriotic Jello Squares are one of my favorite recipes to make every summer. They’re bright, colorful, creamy, and incredibly refreshing—the perfect addition to any Fourth of July barbecue, Memorial Day picnic, or patriotic celebration.

Every year, I bring these to family gatherings, and they disappear faster than almost anything else on the dessert table. Not only do they look festive, but they’re also light enough to enjoy after a big meal.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can simply cut the Jello into squares, or if you’re feeling extra festive, use small cookie cutters to create stars, hearts, or other fun shapes. Kids especially love helping with this part!

Although they look impressive, they’re actually very easy to make. The colorful Jello cubes are surrounded by a creamy sweetened condensed milk mixture that holds everything together while creating the beautiful red, white, and blue look.

This dessert does need plenty of time to chill, so I usually make it the night before serving. That makes it a perfect make-ahead recipe when you’re preparing for a holiday gathering.

Why You’ll Love These Patriotic Jello Squares

• Perfect for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day
• Bright, festive colors
• Easy to make ahead
• Kid-friendly
• Light and refreshing
• Great for potlucks and BBQs
• Easy to customize with fun cookie cutter shapes

Ingredients

Colored Jello

• 2 (3-ounce) packages blue Jello
• 2 (3-ounce) packages red Jello

Creamy White Layer

• 2 packets unflavored gelatin
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

How to Make Patriotic Jello Squares

1. Lightly spray two containers with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Bring at least 5 cups of water to a boil.
3. Dissolve one package of blue Jello in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. Pour into one prepared container. Repeat with the remaining blue Jello and both packages of red Jello.
4. Refrigerate the Jello until completely firm, about 4 hours or overnight.
5. Once set, cut the red and blue Jello into small cubes.
6. Arrange the cubes evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over ½ cup cold water and let it bloom for about 5 minutes.
8. Stir in 1½ cups boiling water until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
9. Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. It should still be pourable but no longer warm.
10. Carefully pour the milk mixture over the Jello cubes, making sure it fills the spaces between them.
11. Refrigerate overnight or until completely firm.
12. Slice into squares, or use small cookie cutters to create festive stars before serving.

Tips for Success

• Make sure the colored Jello is completely set before cutting it into cubes.
• Let the white gelatin mixture cool before pouring it over the cubes so it doesn’t melt the colored Jello.
• Refrigerating overnight gives the cleanest slices.
• Lightly grease your knife before cutting for neat edges.

Variations

These Jello squares can easily be customized for different holidays. Simply change the colors to match the occasion:

• Red and green for Christmas
• Orange and purple for Halloween
• Pastel colors for Easter
• Team colors for sports parties
• Pink and blue for baby showers

Storage

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Because these contain gelatin, they’re best kept chilled until ready to serve.

More Patriotic Recipes You’ll Love

Planning a holiday celebration? Pair these Patriotic Jello Squares with some of my other summer favorites:

• Patriotic Fruit Pizza
• Patriotic White Chocolate Popcorn
• Patriotic M&M Brownies
• Better-Than-Restaurant Cheddar Biscuits
• Homemade Burger Buns for your BBQ

Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, heading to a neighborhood potluck, or celebrating with family, these Patriotic Jello Squares are always one of the first desserts to disappear. They’re colorful, creamy, refreshing, and guaranteed to bring a little extra red, white, and blue to your holiday table.

Patriotic Jello Squares

These Patriotic Jello Squares are made with colorful red and blue Jello cubes suspended in a creamy sweetened condensed milk gelatin. This easy make-ahead dessert is festive, refreshing, and perfect for Fourth of July celebrations, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and summer potlucks.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Chill Time: 8 hours hrs

Course: Dessert

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• * 2 3 oz packages blue Jello
• * 2 3 oz packages red Jello
• * 2 packets unflavored gelatin
• * 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• * Cooking spray

Method

 

1. Lightly spray two containers with cooking spray.
2. Bring at least 5 cups of water to a boil.
3. Dissolve each package of Jello separately in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. Pour each flavor into the prepared containers.
4. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until fully set.
5. Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over ½ cup cold water and let it bloom for 4 minutes.
6. Bring 1½ cups water to a boil. Pour over the bloomed gelatin and stir until completely dissolved.
7. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
8. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
9. Cut the red and blue Jello into cubes and gently scatter them throughout the pan.
10. Carefully pour the cooled milk mixture over the cubes, gently rearranging them if needed so they’re evenly distributed.
11. Refrigerate overnight until completely set.
12. Cut into squares, rectangles, or festive shapes and serve cold!