Watching Jello 1-2-3 separate into perfect layers as a child felt like witnessing kitchen magic. My grandmother would mix it up, pour it into her best parfait glasses, and let me peek into the refrigerator every hour to see the transformation happening. The anticipation was almost as delightful as the dessert itself. Those layered treats became the highlight of Sunday family dinners, creating memories as sweet as the dessert.
Jello 1-2-3 was one of those beloved treats that captured the imagination of kids and adults alike during its heyday. Introduced by Jell-O in 1969, this magical dessert would separate into three distinct layers set in the refrigerator: a clear jelly on the bottom, a creamy mousse in the middle, and a light, fluffy layer on top. Though the original mix was discontinued in 1996, much to the disappointment of fans everywhere, you can still recreate this nostalgic dessert at home with just a few simple ingredients.
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This homemade Jello 1-2-3 recipe returns a beloved dessert that disappeared from store shelves over 25 years ago. It’s perfect for introducing a new generation to this “magical” treat while triggering nostalgic memories for those who enjoyed the original version.
The beauty of this dessert lies in its simplicity: with just three ingredients and minimal active preparation time, you can create something that looks far more complex and impressive than the effort required. It’s an ideal make-ahead dessert for busy hosts, as it needs to chill for several hours and can be prepared a day in advance.
Whether you’re hosting a retro-themed party, looking for a fabulous summer dessert, or simply wanting to recreate a childhood favorite, this Jello 1-2-3 will surely delight everyone at the table with its playful layers and refreshing taste.
Why This Recipe Works
The beauty of this homemade Jello 1-2-3 recipe lies in its scientific simplicity. By combining gelatin with whipped topping and blending them thoroughly, you create a mixture with components of different densities. As the mixture sits in the refrigerator, these components naturally separate: the heaviest sinks to form a transparent jelly layer at the bottom, the medium-density creates a creamy middle, and the lightest rises to make a fluffy top.
While the original product contained specific stabilizers and ingredients to ensure perfect separation, this homemade version achieves remarkably similar results using readily available ingredients. The quick blending time incorporates just enough air into the mixture to create distinct layers without overdoing it, which would prevent proper separation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Refrigerated Whipped Topping – Creates the creamy texture and contributes to the layer formation
- Gelatin Mix (4-ounce package) – Provides the flavor base and the structure that allows the dessert to set
- Ice Cubes – Helps quickly cool the mixture to begin the setting process
- Cold Water – Combines with the ice to create the proper dilution
How to Make 3 Layered Jello
- Dissolve gelatin mix in boiling water in a bowl.
- Add enough ice cubes to cold water to measure 1 1/4 cups; add to gelatin mixture.
- Place in a blender, cover, and blend 30 seconds.
- Add whipped topping, cover, and blend until smooth.
- Pour evenly into four dessert dishes and refrigerate until set.
Why was Jello 1-2-3 Discontinued?
Many products are introduced and treasured for a long time, but for no apparent reason, they are discontinued. This dessert was introduced in the 1970s but then discontinued in the 1990s. It was available in three different flavors: Orange, Strawberry, and Mixed Berry.
After it was discontinued the folks at Jell-O were nice enough to assemble a new recipe for us. Learn more about this dessert!
Now, if only they would bring back those delicious chocolate pudding pops!
Can’t get enough Jello? Try these recipes
- Orange Jello Salad
- Lime Jello Salad with Horseradish
- Jello Salad with Shredded Cheese
- Jello with Marshmallows and Fruit
Popular Old-Fashioned Desserts
- Strawberry Pie Recipe
- Sour Cream Raisin Custard Pie
- Homemade Pudding Cake
- Bisquick Peach Cobbler
- Homemade Apple Crisp Recipe
- Homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake
- Mock Ritz Cracker Apple Pie
- How to Make Kool Aid Pie
Check out more of my easy dessert recipes and the best copycat food.
Jello 1-2-3 Layered Dessert – Discontinued Classic Recreated
Ingredients
- 4 ounces any flavor gelatin mix
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- ice cubes
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup thawed whipped topping (Cool Whip or similar)
Instructions
- Dissolve gelatin mix in boiling water in a bowl.
- Add enough ice cubes to cold water to measure 1 1/4 cups; add to gelatin mixture.
- Put in a blender; cover and blend 30 seconds.
- Add whipped topping. Cover; blend until smooth.
- Pour evenly into four dessert dishes. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes or until set.
OK, I am a little obsessed. I bought about 6 packages of various Jello flavors and have tried several recipes. The first using extra creamy Cool Whip and no blender. That came out with perfect jello bottom layer and a rather dense mousse layer on top. No good.
Then I used the actual recipe off an old Jello 1-2-3 package using jello and Dream Whip. Not bad but still only 2 layers. Then I did several attempts of the Jello sites hack recipe using lite cool whip. None produced the well defined triple layers. They do taste good though.
I would love to know what kind of dry chemical powder the food scientists at Kraft used. It’s food science at its best. Like I saw above, I am going to make the bottom layer of pure jello first and then concentrate on adding the “mousse-whipped cream” layers later. It’s a balance between the amount of cream and level of mixing. I bet Kraft scientists made about 50,000 batches before they got it right !
Loved making this for my kids.
I made this last night, you only get the second and third layer, so my suggestion is,; buy 2 small boxes, make one as usual, put a small layer on the bottom of your jello glasses, let it set, then add the next to layers! Jello 1-2-3!!
Can I use dream whip? And if so can I just use it in powder form?
I don’t know how this would turn out, I have not tested the recipe with a dream whip substitution.
Thank you Stephanie, I just went and got the cool whip! I didn’t want to mess it up!! It was amazing! Brings me back to those younger years!!!💜
I have not tested this recipe with dream whip.
Got all 3 layers, and I think it’s because we stirred in the cool whip by hand. Maybe the blender mixes it in too well? Thanks for a great recipe.
Wow, did my husband ever like this simple treat. It was just like he remembered from his childhood. I made this with orange jello and garnished with a little whipped cream for a nice light dessert. Thank you for sharing this quick and easy to make recipe that he is looking forward to making with the grand kids. BK
I am glad you liked it.
I remember whipping the jello up in a blender with Cool Whip, pouring it into clear parfait glasses. Then refrigerate them and there’d separate into 3 beautiful tiers. All varying shades of the same color with the top layer foamy. Then topping with some fresh berries and a mound of fresh Cool Whip. It was beautiful, and tasty. This turned Jell-O into an elegant dessert for the family. I’ve been looking on line for the recipe,
Is my memory playing tricks on me? Isn’t that how it was done?
I’m looking forward to parousing “CopyKat.com” website. I will definitely try her Jello 1,2,3
If you’re going to just get two layers anyway you can just boil a cup of water and add the jello packet, stir to dissolve then add 1/2 cup heavy cream and mix. It’ll separate as it sets.
I remember making a generic version not using the jello 123, it used cool whip and it was either cream cheese or sour cream, I can’t remember. I just remember creaming the cool whip with something else before adding it to the blender with the jello. Maybe someone else remembers this recipe?
Fauna, my mom made this many years ago for the holidays with strawberry jello, crushed pineapple & cream cheese. I don’t remember if it also had cool whip but she dissolved the gelatin in the water, then mixed everything together. As it setup, it would create 3 different layers. I’ve been looking for the exact recipe for a while now.
Just made it and yes it separated into 2 not 3 layers.. Does anyone know if diet jello and the reg. Jello makes a difference, I will try reg. next time. Just didn’t have any in the cabinet.
The original JELLO 1-2-3 AND Cool Whip and Dream Whip which were used for substitutes contained a different thickening agent then. ‘PURE FOOD’ groups called for the removal of chemically modified ingredients and the manufacturers changed the the thickeners in their products – Cool Whip could be refrozen but now once you thaw it you have to refrigerate it and use it within a shorter time same for Dream Whip which could be frozen after making and thawed later but now you have to make it and use it within an hour.
My daughter loved this! She thought it was so neat that the layers separated.