Christmas jello balls are the chewy, sparkly candies so many of us remember from Mom’s or Grandma’s holiday tins. Cherry and lime jello are mixed with extra gelatin, set overnight until firm, then rolled into balls and coated in sugar.
They taste like homemade gumdrops and are bright red and green, perfect for a Christmas candy tray.
For more retro holiday candy, try jello divinity, Southern pecan pralines, and white Christmas fudge. For a party version with a kick, see Santa hat jello shots.
JUMP TO
- Why You’ll Love This Christmas Jello Balls
- What Is Christmas Jello Balls?
- Ingredients
- Kitchen Equipment
- Ingredient Tips
- How to Make Christmas Jello Balls
- Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Jello Balls
- Delicious Variations
- What to Serve with Christmas Jello Balls
- Storage Instructions
- Can You Make It Ahead?
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Estimated Nutrition
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Jello Balls
Simple candy with big nostalgia.
4 Ingredients
Jello, gelatin, sugar, water.
Bright Colors
Red and green for Christmas.
Chewy Texture
Like gumdrops.
Cheap
Costs only a few dollars.
What Is Christmas Jello Balls?
Jello balls are a homemade gelatin candy made with flavored jello and unflavored gelatin, which makes them firm and chewy.
After setting, the gelatin is shaped and rolled in sugar. They dry slightly over a day, forming a sparkly crust.
Ingredients
Red Candies
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry or strawberry jello | 1 box (3 oz) | Flavor and color |
| Unflavored gelatin | 2 envelopes (½ oz) | Chewy texture |
| Cold water | ½ cup | Blooms gelatin |
| Boiling water | ½ cup | Dissolves gelatin |
Green Candies
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Lime jello | 1 box (3 oz) | Flavor and color |
| Unflavored gelatin | 2 envelopes (½ oz) | Chewy texture |
| Cold water | ½ cup | Blooms gelatin |
| Boiling water | ½ cup | Dissolves gelatin |
Coating
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Granulated or sanding sugar | 1 cup | Sparkly coat |
Kitchen Equipment
- Two 8×4-inch loaf pans
- Nonstick spray
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Melon baller or small scoop
- Wire rack
Ingredient Tips
Bloom Properly
Let the gelatin sit in cold water 5 minutes first.
Sanding Sugar
Coarse sugar sparkles more and absorbs less moisture.
Light Spray
Too much oil keeps the sugar from sticking.
How to Make Christmas Jello Balls
Step 1: Prep Pans
Lightly spray two loaf pans.
Step 2: Bloom
For each color, stir jello and unflavored gelatin into ½ cup cold water. Let sit 5 minutes.
Step 3: Dissolve
Add ½ cup boiling water and stir over low heat until completely clear, about 3 minutes.
Step 4: Set
Pour into the pans and chill 8 hours or overnight until very firm.
Step 5: Shape
Loosen and turn out. Cut into cubes and roll between your palms, or scoop with a melon baller.
Step 6: Coat and Dry
Roll in sugar. Let dry on a rack at room temperature 12 to 24 hours, then roll again.
Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Jello Balls
Do Not Boil Gelatin
Boiling weakens it.
Dry Them Out
Air drying makes the outside chewy and the sugar stays crisp.
Re-Roll
A second sugar coat keeps them sparkly.
Delicious Variations
Cubes
Skip rolling and cut into squares.
Cookie Cutters
Cut into stars or trees.
Sour
Mix 1 teaspoon citric acid into the sugar.
Other Flavors
Try orange, grape, or blue raspberry.
What to Serve with Christmas Jello Balls
Add to cookie tins, candy trays, or treat bags with Christmas candy bark.
Storage Instructions
| Storage Method | How Long | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 1 week | Loosely covered, single layer |
| Refrigerator | 2 weeks | May get sticky; re-roll in sugar |
| Freezer | Not recommended | Texture changes |
Store loosely covered so they do not sweat. Re-roll in sugar if they get sticky.
Can You Make It Ahead?
Make up to 1 week before serving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too Little Gelatin
Candies will be too soft to roll.
Airtight Too Soon
They sweat and melt the sugar.
Boiling Mixture
Weakens the set.
Estimated Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 30 |
| Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Sodium | 15mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
Estimate for 1 of 40 candies with sugar coating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are jello balls made of?
Flavored jello, unflavored gelatin, water, and a coating of sugar.
Why are my jello balls sticky?
They need more drying time. Let them air dry 24 hours and re-roll in sugar.
Can I use sugar-free jello?
Yes, but they are softer and do not hold the sugar coat as well.
How long do jello candies last?
About 1 week loosely covered at room temperature.
Are jello balls the same as jello shots?
No. These are chewy candies with no alcohol. Jello shots are soft and contain liquor.
Conclusion
Christmas jello balls are chewy, sparkly, and full of holiday memories.
Make a red and green batch this year for your candy tins.
PrintChristmas Jello Balls: Mom’s Chewy Sugar-Coated Holiday Candy
Chewy homemade gelatin candies made from cherry and lime jello, set firm, rolled into balls, and coated in sparkling sugar.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 40 candies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Red Candies:
1 box (3 oz) cherry or strawberry jello
2 envelopes (½ oz) unflavored gelatin
½ cup cold water
½ cup boiling water
Green Candies:
1 box (3 oz) lime jello
2 envelopes (½ oz) unflavored gelatin
½ cup cold water
½ cup boiling water
Coating:
1 cup granulated or sanding sugar
Instructions
Lightly spray two loaf pans.
For each color, stir jello and unflavored gelatin into ½ cup cold water. Let sit 5 minutes.
Add ½ cup boiling water and stir over low heat until completely clear, about 3 minutes.
Pour into the pans and chill 8 hours or overnight until very firm.
Loosen and turn out. Cut into cubes and roll between your palms, or scoop with a melon baller.
Roll in sugar. Let dry on a rack at room temperature 12 to 24 hours, then roll again.
Notes
Chill overnight until very firm.
Air dry before storing.
Re-roll in sugar if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 candy
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
