Okay, so picture this: a hot summer day, you need something *super* refreshing, creamy, and just plain gorgeous to look at. Enter my absolute favorite easy dessert: Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin! Seriously, this stuff is magic. It’s cool, wobbly, and packed with sweet strawberries and that dreamy three milks flavor that everyone goes wild for. It reminds me of the desserts we’d have at family parties, always a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly simple to whip up.
The best part? It barely takes any active time! We’re talking just 20 minutes of prep time and a quick 5 minutes of cook time to dissolve the gelatin. The rest is just waiting for it to chill out in the fridge, which takes about 4 hours. But trust me, it’s worth the wait for this stunning dessert that yields a generous 12 servings. Perfect for your next potluck or just a sweet treat to have around!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin
Okay, let me tell you *why* this Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin is going to be your new go-to dessert. Seriously, prepare to fall in love!
- It’s SO easy! No fancy baking skills needed, just a little whisking and patience while it chills. Perfect for beginners or when you’re short on time.
- Talk about refreshing! On a warm day, this cool, creamy, wobbly dessert is exactly what you crave.
- It looks amazing! The bright red strawberries peeking through the creamy white gelatin are just beautiful. It always gets oohs and aahs when I bring it out.
- That flavor combo is out of this world. The sweet berries with the rich, milky layers? *Chef’s kiss!*
Ingredients for Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You don’t need anything crazy or hard to find for this Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin. Just a few simple things you probably have in your pantry or can grab easily at the store.
- Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 2 cups) – gotta have those beautiful red berries!
- Unflavored gelatin (2 envelopes) – this is what gives it that perfect wobble.
- Cold water (1/2 cup) – essential for softening the gelatin.
- Sweetened condensed milk (1 can, 14 ounces) – brings the sweetness and creaminess.
- Evaporated milk (1 can, 12 ounces) – another layer of milky goodness.
- Whole milk (1 can, 15 ounces) – rounding out our three milks!
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon) – a little touch of warmth.
Equipment Needed for Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin
You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin, which is another reason I love it! Just grab these basics:
- A 9×13 inch baking dish – perfect size for this recipe!
- A small bowl – for blooming that gelatin.
- A whisk – your best friend for mixing everything up smoothly.
- A large bowl – to combine all those lovely milks.
How to Prepare Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin
Okay, now for the fun part! Putting this Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin together is super straightforward. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a gorgeous dessert ready to chill.
- First things first, get those lovely strawberries ready! Slice them up and arrange them in the bottom of your 9×13 inch baking dish. Try to spread them out nicely so you get berries in every bite.
- Next, grab your small bowl and sprinkle the unflavored gelatin right over the cold water. Don’t just dump it in! Sprinkle it evenly. Let it sit there for about 5 minutes – this is called “blooming” the gelatin, and it helps it dissolve properly.
- Now, you need to dissolve that bloomed gelatin. Gently heat it over low heat, stirring constantly. You can do this in a small saucepan on the stove or even carefully in the microwave (just heat in short bursts and stir). The key is to make sure every single granule is dissolved, but whatever you do, DON’T let it boil! That can mess with the gelatin’s setting power.
- While the gelatin is doing its thing (or cooling slightly if you heated it), get your large bowl. Pour in the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and whole milk. Add the vanilla extract too. Give it a good whisk until everything is nicely combined and smooth.
- Time to bring it all together! Gradually, and I mean *gradually*, whisk the dissolved gelatin into your milk mixture. Keep whisking as you pour so the gelatin incorporates smoothly and doesn’t clump up.
- Almost there! Carefully pour this delicious milk and gelatin mixture right over the strawberries you arranged in the baking dish.
- Now comes the hardest part: waiting! Pop the dish into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. It needs this time to set up completely. You want it firm and wobbly, not liquidy. Sometimes I even leave it overnight just to be sure.
- Once it’s perfectly set, cut it into squares right in the dish and serve!
See? Easy peasy! Now go enjoy your amazing Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin!
Tips for Perfect Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin
Making this Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin is pretty foolproof, but a few little tricks can take it from great to absolutely perfect. Listen up!
- Dissolve that gelatin completely! I know I said it before, but seriously, this is the most important step. If you have little grainy bits of gelatin, they won’t dissolve in the cold milk mixture, and you’ll get weird lumps. Heat it gently and stir until it’s totally clear.
- Want it firmer? The recipe calls for two envelopes, which gives it that lovely wobbly texture. But if you prefer a really firm gelatin, go ahead and add an extra half envelope of unflavored gelatin. Just soften and dissolve it the same way.
- Don’t be afraid to switch up the fruit! While strawberries are classic and gorgeous, this three milks base is super versatile. Raspberries or blueberries work beautifully too! Just make sure whatever fruit you use is fresh, as some frozen fruits can release too much water as they thaw.
Variations for Your Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin
While the classic Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin is divine, don’t be afraid to get creative! The creamy three milks base is like a blank canvas for all sorts of yummy additions.
Instead of strawberries, try layering in fresh raspberries or blueberries for a different berry vibe. You could even do a mix! A sprinkle of shredded coconut on top before chilling adds a lovely texture and tropical hint. Or, for a little extra indulgence, swirl in a bit of dulce de leche into the milk mixture before pouring – it’s heavenly! Just have fun experimenting with what you love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin
Okay, so you might have a few questions popping up while you’re getting ready to make this amazing Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin. Totally normal! Here are some things people often ask me:
Can I use frozen strawberries? Honestly, I really recommend sticking to fresh ones for this recipe. Frozen strawberries tend to release a lot of water as they thaw, and that extra liquid can mess with the gelatin’s ability to set properly. Fresh berries just give you the best texture and flavor here.
How long does Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin last in the fridge? If you keep it covered well (plastic wrap is your friend here!), it should last beautifully in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. It’s always best when it’s freshest, though!
Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! This is actually the perfect make-ahead dessert. Since it needs at least 4 hours to set, you can easily whip it up the day before you plan to serve it. Just cover it tightly and keep it chilled until you’re ready to cut and enjoy!
Serving and Storage of Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin
Once your Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin is perfectly set and wobbly, it’s time to enjoy! The easiest way to serve it is to simply cut it into squares right in the dish. You can use a regular knife, or even a plastic knife works well without scratching your dish. Lift the squares out gently with a spatula.
If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), just cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. It’ll keep well in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. The texture might change slightly over time, but it’ll still be delicious!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a quick note on the nutrition facts I’ve included here! Please remember that these numbers are just an estimate. The exact calories, sugar, and all that good stuff can totally change depending on the specific brands of milk and ingredients you use. Think of it as a helpful guideline, not a strict rule!
Print
Strawberry and Three Milks Gelatin: Magic in 4 Hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and creamy dessert made with gelatin and three types of milk, layered with fresh strawberries.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
- 1 can (15 ounces) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Arrange sliced strawberries in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a small bowl. Let it stand for 5 minutes to soften.
- Heat the softened gelatin over low heat, stirring until completely dissolved. Do not boil.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, whole milk, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually whisk the dissolved gelatin into the milk mixture until well combined.
- Pour the milk mixture over the strawberries in the baking dish.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until set.
- Cut into squares to serve.
Notes
- For a firmer gelatin, you can use an additional half envelope of gelatin.
- You can substitute other fruits like raspberries or blueberries for the strawberries.
- Ensure the gelatin is fully dissolved before adding it to the milk mixture to avoid lumps.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: strawberry gelatin, three milks dessert, gelatin dessert, no bake dessert, Mexican dessert