You only need 3 ingredients to throw together this impressive looking sweet treat! Layers of raspberry jello and a cream cheese-cool whip-jello mixture combine to make beautiful creamy raspberry jello parfaits.
Why this recipe works
It really doesn’t matter if this dessert is for children or adults, there’s just something about a layered jello parfait that invokes a smile. Whipped jello parfaits consist of… you guessed it, a combo of whipped cream and jello, and they’re popular for good reason! See my whipped jello mandarin orange mousse for another parfait idea.
Raspberry jello, cream cheese, and Cool Whip are the stars of the show here. You’ll start with a simple layer of jello on the bottom of your serving glasses and once that has been set you’ll add the whipped jello mixture on top, then refrigerate again, garnish, and serve. So easy and so delicious.
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
JELLO – You don’t have to use raspberry, choose any flavor your heart desires. In fact, if you are expecting a lot of guests, imagine how beautiful the table would be with a variety of colors!
CREAMY LAYER – This particular recipe includes cream cheese, but for a lighter version for the creamy layer you can just use light Cool Whip or whipped topping and eliminate the cream cheese altogether. Feel free to use sugar-free jello and light Cool Whip- whip them together with a whisk and refrigerate.
How to Make Raspberry Jello Parfaits
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Mix the contents of one of the gelatin boxes with one cup of boiling water and stir to dissolve. Add one cup of cold water and stir.
- Divide the gelatin evenly among the dessert dishes, about 3-3.5 ounces per dish. Place in the refrigerator for 2-2.5 hours, enough time for the gelatin to solidify as you will be adding another layer on top.
- For the second box of gelatin, add the powder to one cup of boiling water and stir to dissolve.
- Combine the gelatin mixture and the cream cheese in a blender or food processor and pulse to combine.
- Add 1/2 cup of cold water, pulse to combine, then add half of the whipping topping. Pulse everything together until smooth and pour on top of the gelatin in the 6 dessert dishes.
- Chill in the refrigerator until firm then top off with remaining whipped topping. You can serve as is or garnish with a few sprinkles or even some fresh raspberries!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Absolutely! Add fresh fruit into your first round of jello mixture right before adding it to the refrigerator to set up.
I would suggest holding off on any toppings if you don’t plan on serving them right away. Store each parfait covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 5 days.
Serving Suggestions
Easter is almost here and this is a perfect dessert to serve to the masses. In fact, you could make this in one big bowl, like a trifle dish, instead of using individual dessert dishes. Don’t forget to garnish with some extra cool whip, a raspberry, and a sprig of mint for good measure.
More Jello Recipes
- Jello Trifle
- Jello Roll Ups
- Broken Glass Jello
- Layered Jello Pie
- Watermelon Jello Shots
- Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
- Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
- Jello Cookies
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Creamy Raspberry Jello Parfaits
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 6.8 oz raspberry gelatin two 3.4-oz boxes
- 2 cup boiling water divided
- 1 ½ cup cold water divided
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz tub whipped topping divided
Optional Topping Ideas
- fresh raspberries
- mint leaves
- sprinkles
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- You can serve as is or garnish with a few sprinkles, fresh raspberries, or a mint leaf.
- Feel free to add fresh fruit to the first layer of jello, right after you pour it into the dessert dishes and before you set them in the refrigerator.
- You can use any flavor of jello you desire for this recipe! Sugar-free jello will also work.
- I would suggest holding off on any toppings if you don’t plan on serving them right away. Store each parfait covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 5 days.
Instructions
- Mix the contents of one of the gelatin boxes with one cup of boiling water and stir to dissolve. Add one cup of cold water and stir.
- Divide the gelatin evenly among the dessert dishes, about 3-3.5 ounces per dish. Place in the refrigerator for 2-2.5 hours, enough time for the gelatin to solidify as you will be adding another layer on top.
- For the second box of gelatin, add the powder to one cup of boiling water and stir to dissolve.
- Combine the gelatin mixture and the cream cheese in a blender or food processor and pulse to combine. Add 1/2 cup of cold water, pulse to combine, then add half of the whipping topping. Pulse everything together until smooth and pour on top of the gelatin in the 6 dessert dishes.
- Chill in the refrigerator until firm then top off with remaining whipped topping.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared here on Mar 24, 2013 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.
Amanda Davis
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Sheila Strong says
This looks so good.I have to make it.
Vicki Green says
I would say exactly like the Jello 1-2-3 mix when I was a kid (64 now eek!), but this recipe is actually so much better! First time, we did it with Raspberry jello, and put fresh raspberries in the first jello layer and let it set before adding the creamy layer. This time we are using strawberry jello, with fresh (cut up) strawberries.
Such a great desert!
Redhead says
I used lemon sugar free jello and put fresh raspberries in the bottom layer. Then I added a few drops of organic lemon extract to the top lemon layer. Yummy 😋
Michelle C Kilthau says
I used lemon & raspberry jello! I used the raspberry as the whipped creamy part! Cut set lemon jello into squares! Mixed them, and poured into clear plastic disposal cup! Let set topped with cool whip and viola!
Amanda Formaro says
Yay, sounds awesome!
Jen says
Love this! I used raspberry jello on the bottom and berry blue in the middle and cool whip on the top. It was adorable and delicious!
Amanda Formaro says
Oh how fun!!
Christopher Retzlaff says
Used parts of this recipe and do pina colada parfaits with coconut greek yogurt instead of cream cheese and crushed pineapples as the top layer, beautiful presentation huge hit.
Amanda Formaro says
OMG that sounds amazing!!
Laura Strnad says
Could this be made in a regular bowl instead? I don’t have nay parfait glasses.
Amanda Formaro says
Yes that would totally work :)
Teirell Davis says
I’m really excited that I found this recipe. My boys love jello and I’m sure this will be a big hit with my family!
Amanda Formaro says
Awesome, hope you enjoy it Teirell!
Joanne says
It was the perfect desert after a large meal.. I (& my guest’s) loved it so much, that I’m making it again for tomorrow.
Joanne…
Joanne says
I’m looking forward to making this dessert for tomorrow’s dinner party. I bought a case of small mason jars which will look great!
Amanda Formaro says
Awesome, I hope you enjoyed it!
sandalynn says
I want to make this to bring to work. How many times can I multiply this in order to fit in a large trifle bowl?
Amanda Formaro says
I’m really not sure, it depends on the size of your trifle dish. This is just a guess, but I would think you would need a total of about 3 or 4 packages of Jell-O for that.
charylene godwin says
To make the frothy layer you can take semi-solidified jello and mix in dry powdered milk and beat on high with an electric mixer until frothy. Refrigerate to set.
Nikki says
these are absolutely delicious!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Nikki, so glad you liked them!
Maria says
Such a pretty dessert!
Deborah says
These are so pretty! I actually have those same dishes, so this would be perfect for Easter!
Joan says
The funny part of this post is a bit of history. A very long time ago, they used to sell Jell-O 1-2-3. It produced a multi-layer dessert … three layers. The bottom layer was traditional jello and each layer above it was creamier and foamier than the last. I haven’t seen it in years, but am amused that we are re-creating a dessert that used to be on the grocer’s shelves.
Amanda says
Hi Joan! I know the dessert you are talking about, but theirs didn’t have cream cheese :) I believe it was whipping cream based. Thanks for visiting!
hkw says
finally! thank you for sharing this recipe and for reminding me about jell-o-1-2-3! i was a pre teen and
i remember making it in these goblet glasses we won at a local carnival at least 45 yrs ago! it was the best and fun way to eat jello! then i remembered making something similar to this for when my daughter was a child…i have got to keep this recipe…it took me so long to find it! mahalo!
Lorraine says
Jell-O 1-2-3 is done with dream whip. Layer 1 is all Jell-O layer 2 is jello and dream whip and layer 3 is mostly dream whip with a little jello for color. Actually just recreated this tonight.
Fed Up and Drunk says
Hello from the UK! And from one Amanda to another. Lovely lovely blog, keep up the fine work! :)
lacey says
How do you think this would taste with chocolate pudding on the bottom? Then the creamy raspberry …
Amanda Formaro says
I think it would taste great!
Sue McEndree says
Jello used to have this in a boxed mix, but it didn’t have cream cheese in it. I’m going to make these! Thanks for posting it Amanda.
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife says
What cute little dishes! I have some of those(packed up now but I need to find them!!) I love the layered look! so pretty! I have some something kind of like this but I’ve never used cream cheese and I LOVE cream cheese. Will have to try this soon!