This Summer Berry Jello Lasagna is a refreshing and colorful treat perfect for warm days! It features layers of creamy goodness, sweet berries, and fruity gelatin that look like a rainbow on your plate.
I love how easy it is to make! Just mix, layer, and chill while you kick back. It’s a perfect dessert for a picnic or family gathering. Plus, it’s so pretty, you might just want to take pictures of it! 📸
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Yellow Cake Mix: This is the base of your dessert. If you want a homemade feel, you can use a scratch recipe for vanilla cake. Adjust baking time accordingly if you go this route.
Cream Cheese: Regular cream cheese works perfectly, but you can also use Neufchâtel for a lower-fat alternative. Just make sure it’s softened for easier mixing!
Cool Whip: If you prefer homemade, you can whip heavy cream with a little powdered sugar until soft peaks form. This will give you a fresher taste than store-bought.
Jello Flavors: Feel free to mix it up! You can use other Jello flavors like cherry or lemon for variation. Just remember to match the fruit as needed for color and flavor.
Fruit: You can swap strawberries and blueberries for other berries or fruits like raspberries or peaches. Just be sure to keep that vibrant color contrast for a pretty finish.
How Do I Make Sure My Jello Layers Set Well?
Setting the Jello layers properly is key for a good texture. Here are some tips to ensure they firm up nicely:
- Always use boiling water to dissolve the Jello completely. Stir until there are no granules left.
- Let the Jello cool slightly before adding the fruit. This prevents the fruit from sinking to the bottom.
- It’s important to refrigerate the Jello layers until they’re firm—at least 1-2 hours. You can tell it’s ready when it’s jiggly but not liquidy.
How to Make Summer Berry Jello Lasagna?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crust:
- 1 package of yellow cake mix (plus ingredients as per package instructions)
For the Filling:
- 1 cup of cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups cool whip, divided
For the Jello Layers:
- 1 package (6 oz) strawberry jello
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 package (6 oz) blue raspberry jello
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups blueberries
For the Topping:
- Additional cool whip for garnish
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Summer Berry Jello Lasagna takes about 30 minutes of active preparation time, plus around 3-4 hours for chilling. Most of the time is just letting it set in the fridge, making it super easy to prepare ahead of time!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparing the Crust:
Start by preheating your oven according to the instructions on the cake mix package. Prepare the yellow cake mix as directed and pour it into a 9×13 inch pan. Bake it until done, then let it cool completely on a wire rack.
2. Making the Cream Cheese Filling:
Next, grab a large mixing bowl and beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in 1 cup of cool whip. This will create a delicious filling. Set this creamy mixture aside for later.
3. Preparing the Strawberry Jello Layer:
In a separate bowl, combine the strawberry jello with 2 cups of boiling water. Stir it well until all the jello is dissolved. Let it cool for a few minutes, then add the sliced strawberries. Pour this rosy jello mixture over the cooled cake layer and place it in the fridge until it sets, which will take about 1-2 hours.
4. Adding the Cream Cheese Layer:
Once the strawberry layer is set, it’s time to add the cream cheese filling. Spread the creamy filling evenly over the jello layer. Then, top it off with the remaining cool whip, smoothing it out to cover everything nicely.
5. Preparing the Blue Raspberry Jello Layer:
In another bowl, mix the blue raspberry jello with 2 cups of boiling water. Once dissolved, let it cool a bit, then carefully mix in the blueberries. Pour this blue layer gently over the cool whip layer. Return it to the refrigerator and let it chill until set, which should take another 1-2 hours.
6. Finishing with Toppings:
When the final jello layer is fully set, you can add more cool whip on top if desired. Sprinkle some red, white, and blue sprinkles over the top to give it a festive look that’s perfect for summer celebrations!
7. Serve:
Finally, cut the Summer Berry Jello Lasagna into squares and serve it chilled. Get ready to enjoy a refreshing and colorful dessert that’s perfect for warm days!
Can I Use Different Flavors of Jello?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the strawberry and blue raspberry jello for any flavor you prefer. Just keep in mind that the taste and color of your Summer Berry Jello Lasagna will change, but it’s a fun way to customize it to your liking!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep well for up to 3 days. Just remember that the texture might change slightly due to the jello layers, but it will still taste delicious!
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
Yes, this dessert is perfect for preparing in advance! You can make it up to a day ahead. Just ensure it’s well covered with plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from absorbing any odors from the fridge.
What if I Don’t Have Cool Whip?
No worries! You can substitute cool whip with homemade whipped cream. Just whip 2 cups of heavy cream until stiff peaks form, and add a bit of sugar to taste. This will give you a lovely, creamy layer just like cool whip!
