Red White Blue Layered Cups (Printable)

Colorful layered cups with fruity gelatin and creamy white middle, ideal for celebratory summer treats.

# What You'll Need:

→ Red Layer

01 - 3 oz box strawberry or cherry flavored gelatin
02 - 1 cup boiling water
03 - 1/2 cup cold water

→ White Layer

04 - 0.25 oz unflavored gelatin powder
05 - 1/2 cup cold water
06 - 1/2 cup boiling water
07 - 1 cup sweetened condensed milk

→ Blue Layer

08 - 3 oz box blue raspberry flavored gelatin
09 - 1 cup boiling water
10 - 1/2 cup cold water

→ Optional Garnish

11 - Whipped cream
12 - Fresh blueberries
13 - Fresh strawberries

# How To Make It:

01 - Arrange 8 clear cups with 6 to 8 ounce capacity for layering process.
02 - Dissolve red gelatin in 1 cup boiling water, stir thoroughly. Add 1/2 cup cold water and mix well. Divide evenly into cups, approximately 2 tablespoons per cup. Position cups at an angle using a muffin tin as support and refrigerate for 45 to 60 minutes until set.
03 - Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water in a clean bowl and allow to bloom for 5 minutes. Pour 1/2 cup boiling water over the bloomed gelatin and stir until completely dissolved. Add sweetened condensed milk and stir until smooth. Cool mixture to room temperature before proceeding.
04 - Once red layer is fully set, gently pour white mixture over the red layer, approximately 2 tablespoons per cup. Position cups upright and refrigerate for 45 to 60 minutes until firm.
05 - Dissolve blue gelatin in 1 cup boiling water and stir thoroughly. Add 1/2 cup cold water and mix well. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature.
06 - Once white layer is fully firm, gently pour blue gelatin over the white layer, approximately 2 tablespoons per cup. Refrigerate upright for minimum 2 hours until completely set.
07 - Top each cup with whipped cream and fresh berries as desired before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They look like you spent hours in the kitchen, but the work is spread across a few hours of mostly waiting time.
  • Everyone gets impressed by the clean, jewel-toned layers—it's one of those dishes where presentation does half the work for you.
  • Kids can help with the pouring and stirring, making it a fun activity rather than just a dessert.
02 -
  • Temperature control is everything—if your layers are too warm when you add them, the previous layer melts and you get one muddy cup instead of three distinct stripes.
  • The white layer will look curdled or separated if you don't let the gelatin bloom first, and no amount of stirring fixes it, so that five-minute wait is non-negotiable.
03 -
  • If you're using fresh berries as garnish, pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them so the whipped cream stays fluffy and doesn't get weepy.
  • For a dairy-free version, swap the sweetened condensed milk for an equal amount of coconut milk combined with a tablespoon of sugar, whisked until the sugar dissolves—you lose a tiny bit of richness but gain a tropical undertone that's actually wonderful.
Go Back