Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls Recipe

Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls are a festive, fun, and delicious treat that brings a burst of color and flavor to your holiday table. These little bite-sized wonders are made with vibrant Jello and combined with cream cheese and a hint of sweetness for a delightful balance of flavors. Perfect for your holiday gatherings or as a sweet little gift to give to loved ones, these Jello balls are a timeless holiday classic that never fail to impress. They’re incredibly easy to make, fun to decorate, and most importantly, they’re a hit with both kids and adults alike. If you’re looking for a unique and delightful holiday dessert that’s as beautiful as it is tasty, this is the one to try!

Necessary Kitchen Equipment

• Medium mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Electric mixer (optional)
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Small cookie scoop or teaspoon
• Parchment paper or wax paper
• Freezer-safe container

Overview of Ingredients
To make Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls, you will need the following ingredients:

• Jello (any color of your choice, though red and green are especially festive)
• Cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Powdered sugar
• Shredded coconut (for rolling)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Jello
   Start by dissolving your Jello in boiling water according to the package instructions. Stir well to make sure the gelatin is completely dissolved. Once the Jello is dissolved, allow it to cool to room temperature. Then, place it in the refrigerator to set until it’s firm, which should take about 4 hours.
2. Blend the Cream Cheese Mixture
   In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth using an electric mixer or whisk. Add in the sweetened condensed milk and powdered sugar, continuing to mix until everything is combined and smooth.
3. Combine the Jello and Cream Cheese Mixture
   Once the Jello has fully set, use a spoon or small cookie scoop to remove it from the mold, breaking it into small chunks. Add the Jello pieces into the cream cheese mixture and gently fold them together. Be careful not to break the Jello too much—small chunks of Jello give the balls a beautiful texture and burst of color.
4. Form the Balls
   Once the Jello and cream cheese mixture is combined, use your hands or a small scoop to form the mixture into bite-sized balls. You want them to be about the size of a walnut or a tablespoon.
5. Roll in Coconut
   Roll each Jello ball in shredded coconut to coat them evenly. This gives the balls a festive, snow-like appearance and adds a delicious coconut flavor that complements the sweetness of the Jello and cream cheese.
6. Chill and Serve
   Once all the balls are rolled in coconut, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray. Freeze the Jello balls for about 30 minutes to set them firmly. After freezing, they’re ready to be served or stored.

Recipe Tips

• Make sure to allow the Jello to cool completely before mixing it with the cream cheese to avoid melting the cream cheese.
• If you don’t like coconut, you can roll the Jello balls in crushed nuts, sprinkles, or colored sugar for a different look and flavor.
• For a richer flavor, use flavored Jello like raspberry or lime. You can also mix multiple Jello colors together for a fun, layered effect.
• If you’re in a hurry, you can skip the freezing step and just refrigerate the balls for 2 hours to firm them up.

What to Serve with This Recipe
These Jello balls are great on their own, but they pair perfectly with a variety of holiday treats like gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, or even a nice creamy hot chocolate. Serve them alongside a fruit salad or as a fun dessert at your Christmas party. They also make a great addition to a holiday snack table!

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these Jello balls ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, these Jello balls can be made up to 2 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh and chilled until you’re ready to serve.

Can I use sugar-free Jello?
Yes, you can substitute sugar-free Jello for regular Jello if you prefer a lower-sugar version. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still be delicious.

Can I omit the coconut?
Yes! If you’re not a fan of coconut, feel free to roll the Jello balls in something else, like crushed candy canes, chocolate chips, or colored sugar for a festive touch.

What if I don’t like cream cheese?
If cream cheese isn’t your thing, you can substitute it with whipped topping or even a non-dairy cream cheese alternative for a lighter option.

Equipment

• Medium mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (optional)
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Small cookie scoop or teaspoon
• Parchment paper or wax paper
• Freezer-safe container

Ingredients

• 1 package of Jello (flavor of choice, 3 oz)
• 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, softened
• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions

1. Prepare Jello as per package instructions, let it set in the fridge for about 4 hours.
2. Beat cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar together until smooth.
3. Break set Jello into small chunks and mix into cream cheese mixture.
4. Roll mixture into balls and coat in shredded coconut.
5. Freeze for 30 minutes to set before serving.

Notes

• Store Jello balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• If you need a dairy-free version, substitute non-dairy cream cheese and whipped coconut cream.
• These make a fun and colorful addition to your holiday dessert spread.

Enjoy the festive, colorful treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe!

Christmas Jello Balls

Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls are a festive, fun, and delicious treat that brings a burst of color and flavor to your holiday table. These little bite-sized wonders are made with vibrant Jello and combined with cream cheese and a hint of sweetness for a delightful balance of flavors. Perfect for your holiday gatherings or as a sweet little gift to give to loved ones, these Jello balls are a timeless holiday classic that never fail to impress. They’re incredibly easy to make, fun to decorate, and most importantly, they’re a hit with both kids and adults alike. If you’re looking for a unique and delightful holiday dessert that’s as beautiful as it is tasty, this is the one to try!

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Equipment

• Medium mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Electric mixer (optional)
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Small cookie scoop or teaspoon
• Parchment paper or wax paper
• Freezer-safe container

Ingredients

  

• To make Mom’s Christmas Jello Balls you will need the following ingredients:
• Jello any color of your choice, though red and green are especially festive
• Cream cheese softened to room temperature
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Powdered sugar
• Shredded coconut for rolling

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Jello
• Start by dissolving your Jello in boiling water according to the package instructions. Stir well to make sure the gelatin is completely dissolved. Once the Jello is dissolved, allow it to cool to room temperature. Then, place it in the refrigerator to set until it’s firm, which should take about 4 hours.
• Blend the Cream Cheese Mixture