Can You Freeze Jello?
You can freeze jello, but it will lose its shape. The best way to store jello is in the refrigerator, which will keep for up to a month.
Jello is great as a dessert or snack on its own, and it’s also delicious when mixed with other foods.
It’s often used as an ingredient in desserts like cheesecakes and pies, and it can be served as a sweet treat at parties. Jello is also commonly used as a base for ice cream sundaes.
What is jello made of?
The primary ingredient in jello is the gelatin content (which gives it its gel-like consistency) and corn syrup.
Gelatin comes from animal bones, while corn syrup is derived from corn. Both of these ingredients have been around since ancient times.
They were both originally discovered by accident during cooking processes.
What Happens When You Freeze Jello?
When you freeze jello, it becomes firmer and more solid than fresh out of the package.
This happens because when water freezes, it expands into tiny crystals that trap air inside the liquid. The trapped air causes the food to become less dense, making it rise to the top.
This process doesn’t happen immediately after you put your jello in the freezer, so don’t expect it to turn instantly into a block of ice.
Instead, let it sit there for about 20 minutes before serving. You can microwave your jello instead of freezing it if you want to speed things up.
How To Freeze Jello?
Frozen desserts are a great way to enjoy summer. But if you’re looking for something more substantial than a frozen yogurt cone, you’ll need to find a better way to keep it cold.
Fortunately, jello has some great properties that make it ideal for making ice blocks. Read on to learn how to freeze jello in the freezer and what the results look like.
Process:
- Mix up your jello mix. Follow the instructions on the box to prepare the jello mix. Cover it and let it chill overnight if the directions call for the jello to be refrigerated before serving.
- Pour your jello into a 9 x 13-inch pan or dish, and freeze it according to the instructions on the box.
- Once the jello is frozen, use a sharp knife to cut it into squares. Then place them back in the freezer until they’re ready to serve.
Results: These frozen treats are easy to make and fun to eat. They’ll keep in the freezer for several months, so you can always have a batch ready to go.
How To Thaw Frozen Jello?
We’ve all had that experience: You buy a box of jello only to find that it’s frozen solid. If you want to thaw it quickly without turning on the stove, you have a few options.
Read on for the best way to thaw jello.
Process:
- Get a bowl large enough to hold all of the jello. Use a clean spoon or other utensils to break up the jello as much as possible.
- Pour the jello into the bowl.
- Place the bowl in a sink filled with warm water.
- Stir the gelatin mix with your spoon. The more the pieces break up, the faster they will melt.
- Keep stirring until the jello is completely melted.
- Dump the jello into another container. It should now be soft enough to scoop.
Serve!
The Best Way To Store Your Freezer Jello
If you want to store your frozen jello longer than just a couple of weeks, here’s how to do it.
Process:
- Make sure your jello is fully defrosted.
- Please put it in an airtight container.
- Cover the container tightly.
- Label it clearly with the date it was made.
- Refrigerate it.
Let it cool down completely before using.
How Long Can Jello Spend In the Freezer?
Jello is one of those foods that can last a long time in the freezer. The shelf life of frozen jello is up to six months in the freezer. That means you can make a big batch of it at once, then save it for later.
But even though it lasts well in the freezer, jello isn’t meant to stay there forever. Eventually, it starts to lose its texture.
So when does jello start losing its flavor and texture? Well, the exact answer depends on which kind of jello you’re talking about.
Here’s the general rule of thumb:
- For regular gelatin forms, it loses its texture after four months.
- For pudding-style gelatin, it loses its flavor after three months.
- And for fruit flavorings, it loses both its flavor and texture after two months.
So if you plan to keep your jello in the freezer, don’t expect it to taste the same as fresh jello. But it will still be good, and it won’t go bad.
What Are Some Other Ways To Freeze Jello?
You might also try these other methods for freezing jello.
Freeze Jello In A Cake Pan
Instead of cutting your jello into squares, you could pour it into a cake pan and freeze it. This method works well for larger batches of jello because you won’t need to worry about breaking it apart when you take it out of the freezer.
Use Ice Cubes For An Easy Serving Option
If you prefer a less messy option, you can freeze your jello in cubes instead of squares. Just follow the same process as above, but don’t slice it. Instead, dump the jello into a Ziploc bag and pop it into the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, pull out one cube at a time and enjoy.
Freezing Jello With Milk And Sugar
You may not think of this combination as something healthy, but it makes a delicious dessert. Add milk and sugar to your jello mix, then freeze it as usual.
When you’re ready to eat, remove the jello from its mold and put it in the fridge. It should start melting within 30 minutes.
Summer Frozen Jello Recipe:
This summer recipe is perfect if you try making some frozen desserts. It combines jello with lemonade and strawberry juice, which gives it a refreshing taste.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
- 3/4 cup hot water
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 package (16 ounces) strawberry-flavored jello
Directions:
- Combine the cup of water, sugar, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Whisk over low heat until smooth.
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let stand until softened, about 10 minutes.
- Add the hot water and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk in the salt.
- Mix in the lemon juice. Transfer to a shallow baking dish and chill until firm, about 1 hour.
- Cut the chilled mixture into small cubes. Pack them into a plastic storage container or resealable freezer bag.
- Freeze for several hours or overnight.
Place the cubes on a plate and drizzle with additional lemon juice to serve.
Last Words
Hopefully, these tips have helped you learn how to freeze jello successfully. If you have any other questions, please ask us in the comments section below!