This low carb mandarin orange mousse only requires 3 ingredients and is the perfect light yet sweet dessert for any occasion!
Why this recipe works
I have a special love for easy desserts. Some of the easiest of all are those whipped jello recipes that have been around for years. Serving them in pretty dishes and adding a colorful garnish makes this simple treat fancy enough to serve on special occasions.
Jello desserts are great for birthdays, holidays, and even your anniversary. They are wonderful for when you have company or just want a special sweet treat for the family. See our Mandarin Orange Jello Salad for another crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
JELLO – We use orange sugar-free jello, but you can use any flavor you would like. Regular jello works just as well as sugar-free.
FILLING – This recipe can be made with either real whipped cream or if you prefer, Cool Whip. If you decide to use Cool Whip, omit the powdered sugar called for in this recipe. You can also easily substitute with whatever kind of fruit you want when making this whipped jello.
How to Make Whipped Jello
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.
- Place reserved mandarin orange juice in a 2-cup measuring cup. Add water to fill to the 2-cup line. Heat water/juice in a saucepan to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin powder, stirring until dissolved. Move mixture to a large measuring cup or bowl.
- Add one cup of ice to a 2-cup measuring cup. Add water to the ice to bring the level to the 2-cup mark. Pour ice/water into the gelatin mixture and stir until ice has melted.
- Place gelatin in the refrigerator until the mixture is partially gelled. It should be firm enough that it won’t spill out of the container, but will not hold its shape well when lifted with a spoon.
- Meanwhile, combine whipping cream and powdered sugar in a mixer with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high until firm peaks form. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.
EXPERT TIP – The secret to this orange delight is timing. Before you add the whipped cream, you will want to chill the gelatin for a bit. Allowing the Jell-O to partially set will keep it from settling to the bottom. - Use an electric mixer to break up the gelatin mixture until the mixture is very loose and no longer holding its shape.
- Add HALF of the whipped cream and most of the mandarin oranges (reserve about 8 nice ones for garnish) and beat just enough to blend everything together.
- Pour into eight dessert dishes and chill until firm.
- Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a mandarin orange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Powdered sugar is finely ground white sugar beat into a powdered state then mixed with cornstarch. It is also known as confectioners sugar, icing sugar, and 10x sugar.
Yes, you make this whipped jello in advance. Store in the refrigerator.
Store whipped jello in the refrigerator for up to 4 days covered with plastic wrap.
Yes, you can certainly swap for whichever flavor of Jello you prefer and substitute with canned fruit that will complement it.
As simple as they are delicious, a whipped jello dessert is always sure to be an easy crowd-pleaser. This Mandarin Orange Mousse is no exception! Combining citrus flavor with a creamy texture, it’s reminiscent of a classic orange creamsicle.
More Dessert Recipes
- Pineapple Dream Dessert
- Strawberry Icebox Cake
- Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
- Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
- Lemon Cream Cheese Pudding Dessert
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Whipped Jello Mandarin Orange Mousse
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
- 1 large box orange sugar free Jell-O 8 servings (0.60 oz)
- 1 cup whipping cream can substitute 1 8-oz container Cool Whip
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar omit if using Cool Whip
- 6- ounce can mandarin oranges in juice drained, juice reserved
- Water and ice
Things You’ll Need
Instructions
- Place reserved mandarin orange juice in a 2-cup measuring cup. Add water to fill to the 2-cup line. Heat water/juice to boiling. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin powder, stirring until dissolved. Move mixture to a large measuring cup or bowl.
- Add one cup of ice to a 2-cup measuring cup. Add water to the ice to bring the level to the 2-cup mark. Pour ice/water into the gelatin mixture and stir until ice has melted.
- Place gelatin in the refrigerator until the mixture is partially gelled. It should be firm enough that it won’t spill out of the container, but will not hold its shape well when lifted with a spoon.
- Meanwhile, combine whipping cream and powdered sugar in a mixer with a whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high until firm peaks form. Store covered in refrigerator until ready to use.
- Use an electric mixer to break up the gelatin mixture until mixture is very loose and no longer holding its shape. Add HALF of the whipped cream and most of the mandarin oranges (reserve about 8 nice ones for garnish) and beat just enough to blend everything together.
- Pour into eight dessert dishes and chill until firm.
- Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a mandarin orange.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- The secret to this orange delight is timing. Before you add the whipped cream, you will want to chill the gelatin for a bit. Allowing the Jell-O to partially set will keep it from settling to the bottom.
- Place mandarin oranges that are reserved for garnish onto a paper towel to soak up extra juice that may cause them to slip off your whipped cream topping.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared here on Sep 26, 2015.
Amanda Formaro
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Sandy Pohlmeyer says
So yummy and lite and weight friendly…..LOVE
Jennifer says
I made this yesterday, and when I opened my can of “oranges” I realized I had opened peaches! So I used the peach juice and some mandarin orange juice I had saved previously, regular jello, and cool whip. It turned out great, and my husband loved it! I’m a novice to cooking and felt very encouraged. Thank you Amanda!
Amanda Formaro says
Oh that sounds like an amazing combination!
Barbara Bennett says
I want to make this but with regular jello. Will that change it?
Amanda Formaro says
NO it should be fine :)
Baby Kato - Gerry says
Wow, what a flavorful jello. We loved it. The recipe was quick and easy to make with excellent results. I used the cool whip option. It was very delicious, love the texture of the treat. Thank you for sharing a recipe that we will enjoy often. BK
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you so much! We love it here too :)
Ann Boyd says
Am so anxious to give this a try. Am hosting a couple of friends later this week and wanted a light, refreshing dessert. Here is my really stupid question: when beating in the oranges does that break up the oranges into small pieces or will they smooth out? I told you it was a dumb question and you can see I’m not too experienced in the field of mousse.
Thanks so much! You are the BEST!
Amanda Formaro says
They ill break up but it will leave small chunks here and there ;) Hope you enjoy it!
Kathi says
Low cal, fast to make, only 3 ingredients and incrediable taste. Can be made with any favor of Jello and any kind of fruit!
Cathy says
If using cool whip, do I add the whole carton to the jello mixture? Or only add half like you instructed for the whip cream?
Wendy Allen says
I know I’m going to love this. I think I got it wrong after putting mixture in fridge to gel. I fell asleep & now jello mixture is set. Can I still break it up with a mixer & then move on with it, or am I stuck with it? You have a great website!
Amanda Formaro says
I think if you tried breaking it up with a mixer it would turn into tiny little jello pieces and would resemble tapioca pudding. I’m sure it will still taste good though! :)
Liz says
Whenever I need gelled jello that’s gone too stiff, I microwave it for a few seconds and ‘start over’ – it melts it back into a liquid, then just wait for it to set to the desired thickness again!
tina says
I have been making this for over 40 years! family favorite. I’ve tried other flavors, but we all love the mandarin orange the best. I use cool whip – keeps for days in fridge, no weeping
Amanda Formaro says
We love it too, thank you Tina!
Christy Martin says
Amanda is there some recipient where u add a tad of mayonnaise like a tablespoon or milk. My gma made it and I’m sure she did. Now it set up firm. But so good. She also did a few
Pecans.
Thanks,
Christy Martin
Amanda Formaro says
I found this https://homemadehooplah.com/creamy-lime-jello-salad/ Maybe something like that?
Sulekha says
Hi!
Am so happy about discovering your recipe while searching for something else :) I want to try this recipe, but can I use fresh mandarin oranges instead? Please guide me.
Jacqueline says
Tried it a while back its delish .thanks amanda
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Jacqueline!
Bobbi says
I remember that recipe with the Dream Whip my mother used to make it, I was looking for that recipe when I came across this one
Abby says
Can you make these a day ahead?
Amanda Formaro says
Yes!
Shelley Ritchie says
Hi. Can I put this in a mold? Is it solid enough to unmold? Thanks
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Shelley! I have not molded this recipe, however most mold recipes call for using less liquid. This recipes uses the full amount. So in order for this recipe to mold you will need to reduce the cold liquid and the hot liquid to 1.5 cups each instead of 2 each. Hope that helps!
Pat Carrel says
I used to make. Fruit salad with cool whip but lost the recipe
Also I would like a recipe for whipped jello
Larry says
Do you four cups of water
Souuds like a lot or just two
Amanda Formaro says
Hi larry! Please refer to the instructions in the printable version to make sure you have the measurement correct. Also this recipe uses the larger box of gelatin, not the small one.
Place reserved mandarin orange juice in a 2-cup measuring cup. Add water to fill to the 2-cup line. Heat water/juice to boiling. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin powder, stirring until dissolved. Move mixture to a large measuring cup or bowl.
Add one cup of ice to a 2-cup measuring cup. Add water to the ice to bring the level to the 2-cup mark. Pour ice/water into the gelatin mixture and stir until ice has melted.
Ernie says
I made this last week
I didnot have the oranges but so good even without them. I did it into small or shot sized and shared with our neighbors ..this week had the oranges we alll thought was verry good both ways took us back to thinking bout the ice cream trucks cream cickles that we loved ,. Can’t wait to make this for my sister when she comes back.
Enjoyed looking for you in the Villages at craft show and rely enjoy the button trees
I now paint
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Ernie, so glad you enjoyed this! It’s definitely a favorite of mine :) I don’t actually exhibit in craft shows. I only make my projects for myself, family and friends and then share the tutorials on http://www.craftsbyamanda.com. So glad you love the button trees! Thanks for your kind comment :)
Joyce says
I have made this and put oranges on bottom of pan and pecans on top
Amanda Formaro says
That sounds delicious, Joyce! I’ll have to give that a try next time :)
Vicky says
I haven’t made this for years! The last time was probably in the late 70’s, and I used Dream Whip which was powdered and came in packets. Thanks.
Tillie says
As an FYI for anyone interested: I had a very similar recipe using Dream Whip some years ago but misplaced it once I found it impossible to find Dream Whip in my local stores anymore. I Just recently discovered that Amazon still sells Dream Whip in both the usual single box 2-envelope package as well as a multi-boxes. Obviously it costs a bit more than it did in the “old days”, but doesn’t everything? It’s worth it to me since I have a number of recipes calling for Dream Whip that I’ve no longer been able to use til now and my family doesn’t care too much for Cool Whip or homemade whipping cream. Can’t wait to receive my 4-box multi pack I just ordered yesterday.
As for the whipped jello recipe, can’t wait to try that again with. Thanks, Amanda.
Amanda Formaro says
Great info Tillie, thanks!
Valerie Brown says
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! I’ve been making it with the sugar-free Jello and Cool Whip Lite and my husband and I love it. We’re both trying to lose a few pounds and we’re thankful to find something this delicious to satisfy our craving for sweets. The Mandarin oranges blend beautifully with the orange Jello…the recipe is a keeper!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Valerie! So glad you like it as much as we do :)