• How to Make the White Layer

  
  

  1. Bloom the gelatin:5 minutes.

  Pour the ½ cup of cold water into a medium mixing bowl. Sprinkle the 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin evenly over the top of the water. Do not stir it yet. Let it sit for 5 minutes so the gelatin can absorb the water (this is called "blooming").

  2. Dissolve the gelatin: 1-2 minutes.

  Pour the ½ cup of boiling water over the bloomed gelatin. Whisk continuously until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the liquid is smooth and clear.

  3. Add the sweet cream: 1 minute.

  Pour in the 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk and whisk until it is completely combined with the gelatin mixture.

  4. Cool to room temperature: 20-30 minutes.

  Crucial step: Let the white mixture sit on the counter until it is completely cooled to room temperature. If you pour it while it is still warm, it will melt the set red or blue Jell-O underneath it and bleed the colors.

Assembly Tip for 1 Red and 1 Blue Box: Make your red Jell-O according to the box instructions and divide it evenly among your cups. Chill until set (about 1–2 hours). Pour your cooled white layer over the set red layer, and chill until set (about 45 minutes). Finally, make your blue Jell-O, let it cool completely to room temperature, and pour it over the white layer. Chill until the whole cup is firm!

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• IMPORTANT TIPS:

• The Cool-Down: Never pour a warm Jell-O layer directly onto a set layer, or they will bleed together. Make sure the liquid is room temperature before adding it to the cup.

• The White Layer: A mix of unflavored gelatin, sweetened condensed milk, and a splash of boiling water creates that brilliant, opaque white layer that makes the red and blue pop.

• The Tilt (Optional): If you want to get extra fancy, set the plastic cups inside a muffin tin at an angle while they chill in the fridge to create cool, diagonal stripes!

Top them off with a dollop of whipped cream and a few July 4th Sprinkles and a Maraschino cherry