Description
Have you ever wanted to serve a dessert that looks like a piece of art but tastes like pure nostalgia? This Broken Glass Jello recipe (often affectionately known as “Cathedral Window Gelatin” or “Jewel Cake”) is a showstopper. It features shimmering cubes of vibrant fruit gelatin suspended in a creamy, pineapple-infused cloud, all resting on a buttery graham cracker crust. It’s the perfect balance of creamy and fruity, offering a texture that is light, refreshing, and satisfying.
Ingredients
The "Glass" Cubes:
- 1 package (3 oz) Lime Gelatin
- 1 package (3 oz) Strawberry Gelatin
- 1 package (3 oz) Orange Gelatin
- 4-1/2 cups Boiling Water, divided
The Crust:
- 1-1/2 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Butter, melted
The Creamy Pineapple Filling:
- 1 envelope Unflavored Gelatin
- 1/4 cup Cold Water
- 1 cup Pineapple Juice (canned)
- 1 carton (8 oz) Frozen Whipped Topping, thawed (e.g., Cool Whip)
Instructions
- Prepare the “Glass” Cubes: In three separate bowls, dissolve the lime, strawberry, and orange gelatins using 1-1/2 cups of boiling water for each. Stir for 2 minutes. Pour each flavor into separate small square containers or loaf pans. Chill for 2-3 hours until very firm.
- Make the Crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until it resembles wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom of a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. Refrigerate.
- Prepare Pineapple Binder: Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over cold water in a small bowl; let bloom for 5 minutes. Boil pineapple juice in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until dissolved. Transfer to a large bowl and cool to room temperature (20-30 mins).
- Cube and Combine: Once colored gelatin is rock-solid, cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Whisk the thawed whipped topping into the cooled pineapple mixture until smooth. Gently fold in about 2/3 of the colored cubes.
- Assemble: Pour the creamy mixture over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining 1/3 of the cubes on top. Chill for at least 2 hours until firm.
Notes
- Temperature Control: The pineapple liquid must be cool but not set before adding the whipped topping. If too hot, it melts the topping; if too cold, it clumps.
- Firm Jello: Do not rush the setting time for the colored jello. If it is too soft, the cubes will disintegrate when mixed into the cream.
- Make Ahead: This is the perfect make-ahead dessert. Making it the day before allows the layers to set perfectly and the crust to firm up.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Chilling Time: 4 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Jello Mold
- Method: Chilling, No-Bake
- Cuisine: American, Retro
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg

