Church Jello

Gluten Free Living – 2023

Church Jello is an absolutely delectable 4-ingredient recipe! That’s right. Four ingredients. Why is it called “Church Jello?” The friend who gave me this recipe two decades ago said it was what her grandmother always called it. I suppose because they used to take it to a lot of church picnics back in the day. Whatever the reason for the name, this is a fantastic Jell-O recipe.

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Our friend, Mylia, used to bring this delicious Jell-O recipe to a lot of church functions about 20 years ago when we were in the same Sunday school class. I loved it and asked for the recipe. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve made this tasty congealed salad dish.

A friend at our current church had foot surgery, so I signed up to bring her a meal. I made an easy Ravioli Lasagna, homemade bread, Church Jello and Almond Fudge Shortbread. They loved everything. Because this recipe makes a full 9×13″ glass dish, I poured half of the mixture into a smaller pan for them and kept the other half for company we had a few days later. Our company loved this recipe too.

Church Jello is made with strawberry jello, crushed pineapple, mashed bananas and a container of thawed, frozen strawberries (plus boiling water). It’s one of those “dump and go” recipes. This congealed salad does not set up like some gelatin recipes with a really firm texture. It’s NOT supposed to. It does set up but it’s just not exceptionally firm. That’s because you use all of the pineapple juice in the can. So don’t except to cut the recipe with a knife. This is a salad that you serve with a spoon. Don’t worry. Everyone will love the softer texture and delicious flavors of this Jell-O.

This fruity salad is great for picnics, potlucks and backyard barbecues. Don’t be surprised if everyone prefers Church Jello for dessert! It’s THAT good. 🙂

Church Jello is a delightful fruit salad recipe.

Church Jello is a little softer than some congealed salads. It’s very fruity and delicious.

You can serve Church Jello plain or garnished with additional fruit.

When I served Church Jello for company, I included it with Grilled Ribs, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Mexican Street Corn Salad. Yum.

Here’s what I did.

I used these ingredients plus boiling water.

Pour strawberry Jell-O into a mixing bowl.

Add boiling water.

Stir ingredients until Jell-O is completely dissolved.

Mash bananas on a plate with a fork.

Add bananas, undrained pineapple and thawed, frozen strawberries to the Jell-O mixture.

Stir ingredients really well to combine.

Pour ingredients into one 9×13″ glass pyrex dish or two smaller dishes (which is what I did).

Cover carefully with foil or plastic wrap. (Be careful that the plastic wrap doesn’t sink into the Jell-O). Place the dishes into the refrigerator to refrigerate overnight.

Allow the congealed salad to set up overnight in refrigerator before serving.

If desired, garnish Church Jello with pineapple rings, strawberries or bananas.

You can also garnish individual servings with whipped cream.

Church Jello does set up but it’s not a hard Jell-O like some gelatin mixtures.

One of the guys who ate this salad had two servings and preferred Church Jello for dessert that night!

Here’s the recipe.

CHURCH JELLO

(Recipe adapted from Mylia Roan, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Cedar Hill, TX)

I served Church Jello with Grilled Ribs, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Mexican Street Corn Salad.

Our company loved this recipe. It’s so light and refreshing.

Church Jello is a vintage recipe that will knock your socks off!

This simple recipe can be tossed together in about 5 minutes. For best results, refrigerate overnight before serving.

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

Broccoli Strawberry Salad

Creamy Strawberry Kiwi Salad