Layered Jello Mousse Cake Recipe
Classic Jello Mousse reborn as an elegant Layered Jello Mousse Cake Recipe. This fruity and exceptionally easy jello cake recipe is way too good to pass up!
Can I tell you a secret? I love jello.
We grownups are supposed to have matured past this brightly-colored jiggly treat, but I openly admit, I have not.
Whatever happened to those Jello Salads and the Jello Fluff our grandmothers used to make?
Weren’t they the highlight of any church potluck? Say what you will, but they were always the first thing to disappear from the table.
I hope I’m never too sophisticated not to find a thrill in this classic treat.
This easy Layered Jello Mousse Cake Recipe is so simple to make, my young son can prepare it himself.
Layered with simple jello mousse and graham crackers, this treat is light, fluffy, and full of fruity essence. The easy mousse recipe is made of jello, cream cheese, and whipped topping. Once assembled, the jello mousse sets and softens the graham crackers layers, creating a 6 layered dessert that looks like a cake when cut.
Plus, Layered Jello Mousse Cake Recipe is classically elegant and can be decorated anyway you like. I made three flavors this week, raspberry, lemon and apricot, then decorated the tops with fresh and dried fruit to match the flavor. (The lemon was my favorite!)
This Layered Jello Mousse Cake Recipe can be made several days ahead and is the perfect surprise to bring to your Easter brunch. My kids thought it was the coolest thing ever.
YAY for JELLO!
Exciting news for those on a gluten free diet.
The Jello, Cool Whip, and Cream Cheese in this easy Layered Jello Mousse Cake Recipe are all gluten free. If you buy Gluten Free Graham Crackers, this Easter treat is all yours!
Layered Jello Mousse Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Jello, any flavor (1 box)
- 1 cup hot water
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
- 24 whole graham crackers (could be gluten-free!)
- Fresh fruit or dried fruit for garnish
Instructions
- Place scalding hot water in a bowl, add the jello packet and whisk until the jello dissolves. In a separate larger bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl, then slowly add the warm jello mixture into the cream cheese and beat until there are no clumps.
- Allow the jello mixture to cool to room temperature, then fold in the cool whip.
- Line a 8x11-inch pan with foil. Place 6 whole graham crackers at the bottom of the pan, creating a flat, tight layer. Spoon 1/3 of the jello mousse over the graham crackers and smooth. Repeat with remaining crackers and jello mousse until you have three layers of cracker and three layers of mousse in the jello cake recipe.
- Place in the fridge to cool for at least two hours, to set the mousse and soften the graham crackers. Lift the jello cake out of the pan with the edges of the foil. Trim the messy edges and cut into 12 pieces. Garnish and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!
Easter Brunch Ideas:
Cherry Walnut Scones with Lemon Curd
Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Frittata
Asparagus and Leek Quiche ~ A Little Zaftig
Green Bean and Toast almond Quinoa ~ Family Fresh Cooking
Sugar Snap Pea and Fennel Salad ~ Gourmande In The Kitchen
Skillet Turnip Greens ~ Add A Pinch
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I want to make this but I have a question: Instead of cool whip, could I whip up my own whip cream instead? I don’t care for cool whip!
Respectfully,
Sonny
Hi Sonny,
Yes, you can use real whipped cream. Just make sure it’s firmly whipped. :)
This looks incredible! I’ll have to try this one.
Sommer, I love all your recipes & I’ve passed them on….everywhere I go with one of your wonderful creations always ways wants to make them!!!
You’re Awesome!!! thanks so much for posting your recipes, I enjoy them!
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My mixture is very runny, is that normal??
Hi Isabel! Yes, it should be almost like a thick creamy coffee that you pour over the cake.
How do you cut your cake so neatly?? The pieces look perfect!
HI WE DON’T HAVE COOL WHIP WHAT ELSE CAN I USE OR IS IT FRESH CREAM?
Yes, go with fresh whipped cream.
These look so pretty! I’ve had these pinned forever I need to try this!
Oh, and for the others asking if they can use heavy whipping cream, you can. I used 1 cup (8 oz) of it and whipped it stiff with a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of vanilla. It didn’t turn out watery but nice a mousse-y.
I also learned how to candy lemons to put on top like in your pictures, those were also delicious and I learned something new!
Thanks again.
I stumbled upon this post when looking for lemon mousse cake that was gluten free to make for a friend who is new to the whole “gluten free deal” and needed a special treat. I made the gluten free graham crackers and followed your instructions.
She absolutely adored it and said she didn’t share much of it with her family. She was eating two servings at a time. Thank you for making my friends day!
I’ll make this again. It is definitely a keeper for Easter time.
I just made this but when I mixed the jello in the cream cheese is was so watery and when I folded the whipped cream in (instead of cool whip), the texture was not as in the picture!! Someone tell me where did I go wrong please??? :(
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Can you use anything besides cool whip? Heavy Cream? whipped and sweeten?
Just made this amazing dessert.its so easy n yummmm.!! I ve been looking for a recipe which used cream cheese n jello since ages ,…n lo! I found it here,, ( well i did tried others too but none as divine as this one.)thank u so much for posting this wonderful recipe !
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Hi Sommer,
Thanks for such a great recipe. I made it for our July 4th gathering and it was a hit with all ages. Love your website and will be trying a lot more of your wonderful dishes.
Preeti
My sister in law still makes those wonderful jello fluffs for get togethers I LOVE THEM!!!
I’d love to do this and was wondering how high this layered dessert was. I want to make sure I use the right size pan.
Hi Kelster, It ends up being around 2 1/2 to 3 inches high. Hope that helps!!
It does. Thanks a lot!
Love, love, love it!!!! I can’t wait to make this come summer with my kids, the possibilities are endless! Had to pin!
Also, I should mention, it looks lovely! I would like to prepare this for a baby shower I am hosting :-)
We don’t have Cool Whip in Switzerland. What can I replace it with?
Summer,
These look amazing and I can’t wait to try them! I would like to invite you to share this, and any other posts you would like to, on my link party at http://www.michellestastycreations.blogspot.com. Have a great week.
Michelle
Sommer *
Sorry about the oops on spelling your name :)
Michelle
Last week I made just the mousse part. Came across this recipe tonight and I love the addition of graham crackers! I will definitely have to try it! Good advice to use a foil lined pan so you can trim the edges before serving :)
This looks fantastic!
Wow! Gorgeous…and easy! Who could ask for more…oh, yeah…I expect yummy, too, but of this I have no doubt :)
These are awesome! I love the no-bake anything. Great recipe, Sommer!
Sommer – You never cease to amaze me with your brilliant photos and delicious recipes! I’m awarding you with The Versatile Blogger Award. No need to respond if you don’t want to, just wanted to let you know I think you rock! (And not just because we’re Udi’s buddies). http://www.suburbanmisfit.com/2012/04/03/the-versatile-blogger-award-better-late-than-never/
love love green jello, my makes this jello, fruit salad for thanksgiving every year. heaven. love the spring colors!!
You can not even tell it is jello. Who needs to grow up anyway ? :)
You have made a classic like Jello look so sophisticated! Simply beautiful!
No doubt these are the first to disappear from the table :-) You have captured the goodness in the pictures
These look absolutely beautiful and are perfect for Spring!
I haven’t had jello in way too long! These layer mousse looks gorgeous and sounds wonderful!
Absolutely lovely, Sommer. And easy too, you can’t argue with that!
So colorful and cute! It’s an interesting way to make such festive dessert! :)
What a beautiful cake. I can’t believe it’s so simple!
This cake seems so complex and beautiful – absolutely delicious for sure :D
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
looks decadent; simple but elegant ! yum
It looks so pretty and delicious!! I could never cut a perfect slice of mousse. Ever.
These are so pretty and perfect for spring/summer desserts!
That looks amazing,Sommer! Beautiful clicks :)
HUGS <3
I’m floored that you made jello look so sophisticated! GORGEOUS photos!
Looks wonderfully light and delicious!
I love this recipe! Looks so good and it’s so easy! I have a box of jello that I haven’t used yet and this would be perfect! thanks for the great recipe!!
Oh, to heck with the idea of maturing past it. I’m 47 and I STILL love jello in any form :-D And this form looks oh so good!
Your never too sophisticated for a delicious treat. Good is good and this does make a nice Easter brunch treat. I love the pastel colors and they way you layered it to give it an elegant presentation. Looks lovely and delicious perfect for any occasion.
I love Jello….This looks so good…can’t wait to give it a try!
These are so pretty! I have to admit that I hated jello when I was a kid. I was almost 30 before I tried it again and then only if it was prepared certain ways. I can tell theat I’d love this jello mousse.
Oooh, now that looks delicious, elegant and super easy :) I love everything about it!
I’m in the minority I guess…I’ve never liked jello or jelly but this is different. Mousse I do like and besides, you’ve made it look gorgeous.
But what I really love? I just candied some blood oranges a couple of weeks ago; now that I LOVE!! I want to candy every citrus in sight; who knew how fabulous they are!
Wow, Sommer, this looks so good! And I have some vegan jello so this would be fun to make a vegan version. What a nice summer dessert!
this is perfect, Sommer! So versatile and so great for this time of year!
Very lovely! Love the candied fruit topping – so pretty!
Wow, these look amazing- seriously, picture perfect. They sound good, too. Thanks for sharing.
I love Jello too! I just made a strawberry pie with Jello. I will have to give your little treats a try, the boys will love them.
What a lovely idea! And so simple…just what’s needed to get through the busyness of Easter morning!
My son is the jello lover in our our house. I am sure not only he would like those treats.
Great pictures!
Gorgeous!! Feel like I stepped into some fancy patisserie!
This is such a fun cake! Looks delicious!