Fun Gelatin Desserts

There are so many fun dishes one can create with gelatin. It is great for the summertime since it’s a cool light snack and kids love it! Some people like to give their new neighbors molds to welcome them into the neighborhood. Others just make it as dessert or for parties. No matter what the occasion or what gelatin is being used for there are lots of different ways to prepare it to add even more fun to your dish. You can cube it, whip it, flake it, layer it, scallop it and even crown it!

Gelatin, usually found in gummy snacks, yogurts and marshmallows, is commonly used as a gelling agent in food. It is translucent and colorless but bitter when dry. Gelatin melts to a liquid when heated and solidifies when cooled again. When put together with water, it forms a semi-solid colloid gel. So that’s enough about the ingredients and substance. Let’s get on to the fun stuff!

If you’re a fan of gelatin molds, there are a few tricks used by experts to make them even more beautiful. For a clear, uniformly set mold, the gelatin must be completely dissolved. Then add cold liquid or use several ice cubes. To double a recipe for your mold use two 3-oz packages or one 6-oz. package of Jell-O Gelatin and twice the amounts of the other ingredients besides salt, vinegar and lemon juice. One and a half times the amounts of these ingredients are sufficient. If you’re preparing a large mold decrease the required liquid about cup for each 3 ounce of gelatin. The firmer consistence makes the mold less likely to crack at the base and less fragile after it is unmolded.

If you like fruity gelatin there are ways to add real fruit to your gelatin mold. Allow your gelatin to stand for five to six minutes to thicken after removing unmelted ice. Fold in ingredients and chill until firm. If you like vegetables they can be added to gelatin too.

It”s quite easy to change the texture and appearance of Jell-O gelatin. Just whip it until it’s thick and fluffy. You can prepare any fruit flavor of gelatin as directed on the package and chill until it’s very thick. After that beat it with an electric mixer or rotary beater until the mixture is fluffy and thick. When it is about double in volume your Jell-O results in the best eating flavor and quality. If you would like to shorten the chilling and beating times you can chill the gelatin until slightly thickened, and then place it in another bowl of ice and add water before starting to beat. Whipped gelatin can be poured into a shallow pan, molds or with cubes of fruit added. When unmolding your gelatin cut it into squares or spoon into serving dishes and serve with fruit or custard sauce if you so desire.

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