Gelatin Dessert

Gelatin desserts are just as pretty to look at as they are delicious to eat. These fun and fruity sweets are often made with multiple layers, with fruits sprinkled throughout, making them impressive dishes to serve as the centerpiece of a dessert table.

Our recipe takes just 20 minutes to whip together, so it’s a fast, fun, totally kid-friendly dessert. The two-layer treat is extra sweet and creamy, with bananas and pineapple adding tropical flavor to the lemony gelatin, and chopped walnuts bringing just the right amount of crunchy texture.

Gelatin Dessert Ingredients

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• Lemon gelatin: Gelatin comes in many flavors, but we think the lemon variety is best for pairing with tropical fruits like bananas and pineapple. It’s bright, vibrant and pleasantly acidic.
• Miniature marshmallows: Melted marshmallows help give this dessert a cool flavor and creamy texture. If you don’t have minis, you can absolutely use regular-size marshmallows, just be aware that they may take longer to melt.
• Bananas: Cool, creamy sliced bananas give this fruity gelatin dessert a fun texture.
• Crushed pineapple: We use every part of the canned crushed pineapple for this recipe—the crushed pineapple chunks go into the the gelatin base, and the juice infuses flavor into the creamy topping.
• Sugar: Sugar combines with flour and pineapple juice to create a sweet, creamy topping that perfectly complements the tanginess of the lemon gelatin base.
• All-purpose flour: In this gelatin dessert recipe, flour combines with sugar and pineapple juice to create a creamy topping. The flour is essential to thickening up the mixture.
• Butter: Butter adds savory richness to this super sweet dessert.
• Heavy whipping cream: We beat the cream until firm peaks form, then combine it with the pineapple juice mixture to create a meringue-like topping.
• Chopped walnuts: Chopped nuts are a great way to add necessary crunch to this otherwise smooth and creamy dessert.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the gelatin mixture

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Sprinkle the gelatin over the boiling water. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved, about five minutes. Stir in the marshmallows until they’re melted, then stir in the bananas. Drain the pineapple, reserving the juice. Add the pineapple and the cold water to the gelatin mixture.

Pour the mixture into a 13×9-inch pan, then let it chill in the refrigerator until it’s set.

Step 2: Prepare the topping

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In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and flour. Gradually stir in the reserved pineapple juice. Add the butter, then bring the mixture to a boil. Cook and stir for two minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, then let the mixture cool to room temperature, 35 to 40 minutes. In a small bowl, beat the cream until firm peaks form, then fold it into the pineapple juice mixture.

Step 3: Assemble and chill

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Spread the topping over the gelatin mixture. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the top, then chill for one to two hours.

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Gelatin Dessert Variations

• Use a different flavor gelatin: If you’re not a fan of lemon gelatin, you can absolutely swap it out for a different flavor. In fact, this recipe is super versatile, so feel free to adapt it however you like. Mango, lime, orange or pineapple are all great alternatives.
• Add different fruits: We’re only using a few fruits in this recipe—pineapple and banana—but if you like a lot of fruity flavor and extra pops of color and texture, you can certainly add more fruit here. Chopped strawberries, cherries or sliced kiwis are all great options.

How to Store Gelatin Dessert

Gelatin food recipes store really nicely in the refrigerator. Be sure to cover your dessert completely before storing, to prevent an unappetizing skin from forming on the surface of the gelatin. Once it’s covered, store it in the refrigerator for five to seven days until you’re ready to serve.

Can you make this gelatin dessert ahead of time?

Gelatin dessert is a great dish to prepare ahead, since it stores so nicely in the refrigerator. For best results, prepare the base first, and wait until just before serving to prepare the topping. That will ensure that the whipped peaks stay fresh and maintain their structure before serving.

Gelatin Dessert Tips

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How can I prevent my gelatin from clumping?

To prevent gelatin from clumping, be sure to whisk it vigorously. For the best results, add the gelatin mixture slowly into the water, rather than pouring the water into the gelatin. Adding gelatin into water slowly while whisking vigorously will help prevent clumping and leave you with a smooth gelatin mixture.

Can I use fresh pineapple?

It’s best to use canned pineapple in this recipe. Fresh pineapple contains an enzyme that can break down collagen and prevent the gelatin from setting properly.

How can I get the fruit to suspend in the gelatin?

The best way to get fruit to suspend in gelatin is to add it when the gelatin mixture is almost set and on the thicker side. Adding fruit when the mixture is a bit thicker will prevent it from falling to the bottom of the dish.