Layered gelatin and in particular, creamy layered Jell-O is very special to me.  Not only is it a fun treat to enjoy but it also brings back so many vivid memories of Valentine’s Day during my elementary school years in Mexico.

Valentine’s Day in Mexican schools was celebrated somewhat differently than in U.S. schools.  It was more of a gift exchange between students in which they had the option of participating if their family was economically able.  To be included in the gift exchange, one had to write their name on a piece o paper and place it in a festive box located on the teacher’s desk.  The box was decorated with red and white construction paper hearts, glued-on red gumdrops, Smarties and dried macaroni.  

Valentine’s Day cards did not exist in my school and were only exchanged among married or engaged couples.  If you really wanted to make a good impression on your Valentine and their family, the card was accompanied with flowers, expensive jewelry or American chocolates.

My family could not afford a fancy plush toy or chocolates in order for me to participate that year. But my mom did manage to create these beautiful, individually sized creamy gelatins for the entire class. It was the most coveted gift and it was wonderful that everyone had the opportunity to enjoy one.

To this day, the classmates I’ve kept in touch with have remembered my mom walking into the class with a tray full of gelatin treats arranged on a platter in heart formation.  

Now that my son is in school, my mom has shared with me this simple and inexpensive recipe to make for his classmates this Valentine’s Day.

I used polymerose heart-shaped molds but keep in mind that this treat can be made in any other plastic or aluminum Jell-O mold and to follow the unmolding instructions at the end of this recipe.

Wishing you a happy and memorable Valentines Day!  Enjoy!

Ingredients

Creamy Cherry layer

Makes 6

1- 3oz package of cherry flavored Jell-O

1 cup boiling water

1 cup cold milk

Sweet cream gelatin

1 tablespoons (2 envelopes) unflavored gelatin

¼ cup cold water

¾ cup boiling water

¾ cup sweetened condensed milk

Creamy Orange layer

1- 3oz package of orange flavored Jell-O

1 cup boiling water

1 cup cold milk

Instructions:

Creamy Cherry Layer

In a medium mixing bowl, add 1 cup boiling water to cherry gelatin mix, stir 2 minutes until completely dissolved.

Stir in 1 cup milk until combined.

Divide mixture evenly in six heart-shaped polymerose heart shaped molds (approximately 5 tablespoons of cherry mixture in each mold).  Each mold is approximately 2.9” (W) x 2.9” (L) x 1.8” (H).

Refrigerate until set.  Approximately 1 hour.

Sweet cream gelatin

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/4 cup of cold water and allow the gelatin to absorb the water.

Stir in 3/4 cup of the boiling water until gelatin is fully dissolved. 

Stir in sweetened condensed milk until the mixture is smooth. Refrigerate mixture until slightly thickened.  

Gently spoon approximately 4 – ½ tablespoons of the white mixture into each heart-shaped mold over the cherry gelatin layer. Refrigerate until set.  Approximately 1 hour. 

Creamy Orange Layer

Meanwhile, in medium mixing bowl, add 1 cup boiling water to orange gelatin mix, stir 2 minutes until completely dissolved.

Stir in 1 cup milk until combined.

Divide last layer among each heart-shaped mold (approximately 5 tablespoons of orange mixture in each mold).   Refrigerate until firm.

To unmold: 

Fill a large basin with warm water and immerse the mold in the warm water for approximately 10 seconds.  Be careful not to spill water onto the gelatin.  Slightly pull the gelatin away from the inside of the mold with wet fingers.

Place a large, chilled platter upside down on top of the mold.  Hold the mold with one hand and the other hand on the plate, carefully invert.  Peel away mold carefully.