Description
These festive Christmas Jello Balls are a vibrant and delightful treat, combining tangy lime and sweet strawberry Jello with creamy Greek yogurt and sweetened desiccated coconut. Rolled into bite-sized balls and chilled until set, they are perfect for holiday parties or a fun dessert option. The recipe is simple, colorful, and allows customization with your favorite Jello flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Jello Mixture
- 1 box Lime Jello (3 oz)
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 ½ cups sweetened desiccated coconut
Red Jello Mixture
- 1 box Strawberry Jello (3 oz)
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 ½ cups sweetened desiccated coconut
Coconut Coating
- ¾ cup sweetened desiccated coconut (for rolling, divided into two bowls)
Instructions
- Prepare Surface: Cover a moveable surface like a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to place the jello balls after rolling.
- Mix Jello and Yogurt: In two separate medium bowls, combine the lime Jello with ¾ cup Greek yogurt in one, and strawberry Jello with ¾ cup Greek yogurt in the other.
- Add Coconut: Stir 2 ½ cups of sweetened desiccated coconut into each bowl respectively until fully combined. Use different stirring utensils for the two mixtures to avoid color mixing.
- Prepare Coating Bowls: Place ¾ cup sweetened desiccated coconut into two small separate bowls for coating the jello balls.
- Roll Red Balls: Wearing gloves, take about 1 tablespoon of the red mixture and roll it into a ball. Immediately roll the ball in one bowl of coconut until fully coated, then place it on the prepared parchment paper.
- Roll Green Balls: Repeat the rolling and coating process using the green mixture and the other coconut bowl to prevent color transfer.
- Chill: Place the rolled and coated jello balls in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 4 hours or until fully set.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once firm, the Christmas Jello Balls are ready to be served as a festive and refreshing holiday dessert.
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: Freeze the jello balls by placing them single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. They keep well up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
- Texture Tip: The gelatin mixture will start very gooey but will firm up nicely after chilling.
- Sweetness Variation: Use unsweetened desiccated coconut to reduce sweetness, but note it absorbs more moisture. Adjust coconut or yogurt quantities accordingly.
- Size Variation: Make smaller jello balls (½ tablespoon) to double the yield if desired.
- Flavors and Colors: Customize with different Jello flavors to create themed platters for holidays like Halloween, Earth Day, or patriotic celebrations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 jello ball
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
