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Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls: no-bake coconut treats with condensed milk and festive cherry + lime flavors. Quick, kid-friendly, perfect for cookie trays.
Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls
Holiday nostalgia, upgraded: These Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls are a retro Christmas treat turned modern must-have—no-bake Christmas cookies that pack big flavor, irresistible color, and a soft, chewy texture under a snowy coconut coat. They’re wildly popular on cookie trays, at holiday parties, and for cookie exchanges because they’re fast, festive, and foolproof. From kid-friendly to freezer-friendly: this recipe is versatile, scalable, and glossy-magazine pretty without breaking a sweat. Curious what makes mine different? Let’s dive into the unique twists, gluten-free and vegan options, and pro-level tricks that make this the best jello balls recipe on the block.
Try a holiday pairing: Browse more no-bake Christmas desserts on That Oven Feelin’ or find peppermint treats for your cookie tray here: peppermint recipes.
Why You’ll Love Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls
- Effortless & Quick: Perfect for busy holiday schedules, this recipe requires no baking or complex steps.
- Versatile Jello Flavors: Tailor these treats to your taste or theme by choosing different Jello flavors and colors.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: A great way to get kids involved in holiday preparations, with simple mixing and rolling steps.
- Minimal Ingredients: Only three ingredients needed, making this recipe budget-friendly and accessible.
- Festive & Colorful: The vibrant colors make these balls a visually appealing addition to any holiday spread.
Ingredients Notes For Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls
- Thick Cream: Fussell’s or Carnation brand works best for a rich, creamy texture.
- Red Jello: The heart of the recipe, bringing both flavor and festive color. You can experiment with different Jello flavors for variety.
- Desiccated Coconut: Ensure it’s unsweetened and very finely grated for the perfect coating. This gives the balls their signature texture and a delightful tropical twist!
Recipe Steps
- Mixing Cream & Jello: Combine the thick cream and Jello powder in a bowl. It’s crucial to mix thoroughly until the Jello is completely dissolved, ensuring flavor in every bite.
- Incorporating Coconut: Gently stir in 1 1/2 cups of desiccated coconut. This step gives the balls their structure and a hint of coconut flavor.
- Forming Balls: Scoop and roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls. This size is ideal for bite-sized treats and ensures even setting.
- Coating & Setting: Roll the balls in the remaining coconut for a snowy appearance. Refrigerate for 2 hours to set, which helps them hold their shape.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Storage Options
Plan ahead like a pro: These no bake holiday treats store beautifully, so your future self will thank you.
- Reheating note: No reheating needed—these are candy-like. Just bring to a cool room temp before serving.
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container up to 10–14 days. Separate layers with parchment.
- Freeze: Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge; roll in fresh coconut after thawing if needed.
- Room temp for parties: Set out for 1–2 hours max; they’ll stay soft and chewy without melting.
Variations & Substitutions
Make them yours: Swap flavors and textures to match your cookie tray plan—or dietary needs.
- Flavor swap: Raspberry, strawberry, or orange gelatin for new twists; try half cherry, half lime for Christmas jello balls that pop.
- Gluten-free: Naturally gluten-free if you skip crumbs; if using crumbs for structure, choose certified gluten-free grahams.
- Vegan jello balls: Use plant-based gel dessert (Bakol Jel/Simply Delish), dairy-free butter, and sweetened condensed coconut milk.
- Dairy-free: Swap in vegan butter sticks and condensed coconut milk; chill an extra 5–10 minutes before rolling.
- Coating options: Roll in toasted coconut, crushed freeze-dried raspberries, or sparkling sugar for texture and sparkle.
- Nutty crunch: Fold in finely chopped pecans or pistachios for color and bite.
- White chocolate finish: Drizzle set balls with melted white chocolate and a pinch of sprinkles.
If you want a show-stopping, no-bake Christmas dessert that’s equal parts nostalgic and party-perfect, Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls deliver every single time—bright flavor, dreamy texture, freezer-friendly convenience, and endless ways to make them your own. Don’t forget to peek at more holiday sweets here: Christmas recipes on That Oven Feelin’.
FAQ
Can I make these Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls ahead?
Absolutely. Make them up to 2 weeks ahead and refrigerate, or freeze up to 3 months. I often freeze a batch in November for stress-free cookie trays.
Which Jell-O flavor is best for Christmas?
Cherry for red, lime for green—classic. Raspberry and strawberry are fab too. For a bold tray, do half cherry, half lime for red and green jello balls.
Are these gluten-free?
Yes—if you don’t add graham crumbs. Stick to coconut, powdered sugar, butter, and gelatin powder, and you’re good to go. Use certified GF coconut if needed.
Can I make vegan jello balls without gelatin?
You can. Use a vegan gel dessert (Bakol Jel or Simply Delish), dairy-free butter, and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Chill slightly longer before rolling.
Why is my mixture too sticky to roll?
Add more fine shredded coconut a tablespoon at a time, and chill 10 minutes. Lightly oil your hands or wear food-safe gloves for easy rolling.
How sweet are they? Can I tone it down?
They’re sweet like classic no-bake Christmas candy. Use unsweetened coconut (not sweetened) and add a pinch of salt or citrus zest to balance.
What if I don’t like coconut?
Roll in sanding sugar, finely ground nuts, or even crushed freeze-dried fruit. You’ll still get that festive look and a little crunch.
Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls
Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls: no-bake coconut treats with condensed milk and festive cherry + lime flavors. Quick, kid-friendly, perfect for cookie trays.
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Servings: 18 Balls
Ingredients
- 170 mL approximately 3/4 cup of high-fat content cream, specifically Fussell’s or Carnation brand recommended
- One 3-ounce package of red Jello
- 2 cups of unsweetened desiccated coconut finely grated to a small consistency (Note: Shredded coconut is not suitable for this recipe)
Instructions
- Preparation of Cream and Jello Mixture: Begin by placing the thick cream into a standard mixing bowl. Add the entire content of the red Jello package. Using a spoon or a suitable mixing tool, stir the contents vigorously until the Jello powder is completely dissolved in the cream, ensuring uniform consistency and color throughout the mixture.
- Incorporating Desiccated Coconut: Measure out 1 1/2 cups of the finely grated desiccated coconut and introduce it to the cream and Jello mixture. Stir the ingredients together until the coconut is evenly distributed throughout the mixture, ensuring there are no dry pockets of coconut or unevenly mixed areas.
- Forming the Jello Balls: Using a tablespoon or a similar measuring tool, scoop out portions of the mixture. Roll each portion between the palms of your hands to form spherical balls, each roughly the size of a tablespoon. It is essential that the balls are compact and uniform in size for consistent setting and presentation.
- Coating and Setting the Jello Balls: Pour the remaining half cup of desiccated coconut onto a flat surface or a plate. Roll each of the formed balls in the coconut, ensuring a complete and even coating on all sides. Once coated, place the balls onto a baking sheet or a similar flat tray. Refrigerate the tray of Jello balls for a minimum of 2 hours to allow them to set firmly and acquire the desired texture.
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