Did you know that homemade finger jello can actually be good for you?
I tried homemade finger jello last week and the kids and I were all over it. Gelatin from pastured animals, normally found in stock made from boiling the bones, is so loaded with nutrients that it's considered a superfood. The gelatin used to make this homemade finger jello has the same nutrients! Mine ended up being thin in spots, only because I didn't have my pan laying perfectly even in the fridge. Otherwise, the amounts would've been perfect.
Learn more about gelatin here: The Gelatin Secret.
Homemade Finger Jello
Try using some orange juice for Valentine hearts (pictured).
Ingredients
- 6 cups organic apple juice or another kind of juice you like-- if using concord grape juice, use 1 cup of water for part of the liquid or it's too strong. I also sometimes use pureed berries (after straining out the seeds), but you'll need to taste it to see if it needs a little sweetener like maple syrup, honey, or palm sugar. My latest batch was made with organic fruit punch and the juice of one big lemon — yumminess.
- 6 Tablespoons gelatin <– That's my favorite brand: no MSG and it's from grass-fed cows! Tip: get a discount with the code KOP.
For a 9×13 use these amounts:
- 4 cups juice
- 4 Tablespoons gelatin
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, before turning the heat on, mix the gelatin into 1/2 cup of the cold juice, whisk until it's all dissolved and let set for 3 minutes or so. Whisk in the rest of the juice, and turn heat on low just to dissolve and mix it all together, don't boil. Pour into your pans. If you don't like the little bubbles that will develop on top, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set. Tip: First situate your pans in the fridge where they'll be setting up, and pour the gelatin in, otherwise it's tricky carrying a pan of liquid to the fridge from the counter without spilling it all over. Trust me on this.
- Want to try homemade gummies instead? Check out this recipe from my friend Heather or this one from my friend Cara. (Although I prefer this gelatin to the kind they recommend.) Here are gummy molds you could try!
- Here's a great cranberry gelatin for Thanksgiving — that stuff is addictive!
- More Real Food recipes
- Have you seen: The pain of low libido and 10 solutions?
- Or this one: What if the financial gurus have led us wrong just like the dietary gurus have?
MrsT says
When the kids get sick I make this with elderberry juice and sweeten with stevia. We all love it.
Mona@HealthyHomesteading says
This post is so timely. I was just telling my mom how bad Jello is because it has so much sugar (or Aspartame) in it. We were wondering if there was a way to make our own. Now I know :). Thanks!
Alice says
Sorry for the repeat post.
Alice says
I have fallen head-over-heels in love with kombucha gelatin. I eat it almost every day with raw cream. I am now exoerimenting with making cream gekatin on top of the kmobucha gekatin. Yum.
Terri says
Oooh! I looove jello! Good to have a healthy way to make it! Will have to try this one.
Sunny says
I make ‘juice blocks” on a fairly regular basis using a variety of juices. I usually make it ‘jiggler’ consistency so it can be eaten with fingers. I find it’s a great addition to lunch boxes – not to mention it means more gelatin.
Last night I made it with (unsweetened) blueberry pomegranate juice (the kid’s favourite ‘jelly juice’ lately) but I’ve also made it with coconut milk. Somehow I ended up eating most of that one 😉
CathyF says
I was making homemade jello for my kids 30 years ago with Knox and fruit juice to avoid the artificial ingredients, but at the time I didn’t know anything about the problems with factory beef. I may try this again since my husband has milk allergies that eliminate so many dessert options for him (probably a good thing!)
The scone recipe LOOKS good, though a really good scone is typically made with cream. I’m looking forward to trying it, though. If it tastes as good as it looks, another treat with no milk 🙂
Have you ever done any research into milk allergies for your blog? My husband grew up on a farm, eating lots of milk products his whole life, but was told by a holistic chiropractor a year or so ago that he’s been allergic to milk all this time. (He just turned 60!) Cutting out milk and cheese has made him feel better, but I’m not convinced.
KitchenKop says
Cathy,
If he feels better that says a lot. What HAD he been drinking? Conventional milk from the store or raw milk? That makes a huge difference.
Also, many with milk allergies (or other allergies) can be healed after healing their gut on something like the GAPS Diet. Have you seen this? https://ow.ly/4fn3T
Kelly
ValerieH says
My youngest daughter is fascinated when I make jello anything. One time I had a tea party and I made tea jello. Since then jello excites her. I recently made tomato aspic for our chapter meeting. I had actually never eaten it. I had fresh tomatoes with juice that needed a purpose. I chilled it in a bundt pan. I served it with a can of wild salmon in the hole, chopped parsley and lemon wedges around the edge. The members liked it and there was some to bring home to my daughter.