25 Vintage Gelatin Mold Recipes

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about a shimmering gelatin mold. If you grew up in the 70s like I did, you probably remember them as the centerpiece of every church potluck, holiday dinner, or backyard cookout. Grandma always had a ring mold tucked away in the fridge, whether it was a creamy lime cottage cheese salad, a fancy ribbon Jell-O with layers, or the holiday wreath mold that stole the show at Christmas.

This list of 25 vintage gelatin mold recipes brings back the fun, quirky, and colorful creations that defined mid-century cooking. Some were fruity and sweet, others savory and downright experimental - but all of them hold a special place in retro food history.

Vintage Gelatin Mold Recipes

1

Rainbow Ribbon Mold

Colorful layers of fruit gelatin alternated with creamy gelatin. A 60s–70s potluck favorite that looked just as good as it tasted.

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2

Broken Glass Gelatin Mold

Cubes of multicolored Jell-O set in a creamy base for a stained-glass effect. Popular in the 60s–70s, it always wowed at church socials.

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3

Cranberry Jello Salad

Cranberry gelatin with pineapple, nuts, and sometimes celery. A 1950s–60s holiday tradition at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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4

Holiday Wreath Mold

Red and green gelatin layered in a ring mold, often with fruit or cream. A festive centerpiece on mid-century Christmas tables.

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5

Lime Jello Salad - Cooking With Carlee

Lime or lemon gelatin combined with crushed pineapple. Became common in the 50s when canned pineapple was a pantry staple.

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6

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

Pretzel crust layered with cream cheese filling and strawberry gelatin topping. A 1970s potluck classic that blurred the line between salad and dessert.

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7

Creamy Lemon Jell-O Mold

Lemon gelatin blended with whipped cream or Dream Whip. A 1960s shortcut dessert when whipped toppings became trendy.

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8

Apricot Gelatin Salad

Apricot gelatin with pineapple and whipped topping. A 1960s luncheon salad often served at showers and picnics.

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9

Peaches and Cream Layered Jello Recipe

Gelatin filled with canned peaches, sometimes layered with cream. A 50s–60s treat perfect for summer suppers.

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10

Strawberry Banana Jello Mold

Strawberry Jell-O with banana slices and strawberries. A 1960s kids’ party favorite, often topped with whipped cream.

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11

Old Fashioned Tomato Aspic - The Southern Lady Cooks

Savory tomato gelatin with celery, onion, and spices. A quirky 50s–60s dish, often served at luncheons alongside meats.

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12

This Retro Sunshine Salad Jello Recipe Is Actually Really Good (No Kidding!)

Orange Jell-O with shredded carrots and pineapple. A 1960s cookbook favorite that disguised veggies as dessert.

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13

Lime Jello Salad With Cottage Cheese

Lime Jell-O mixed with cottage cheese, pineapple, and sometimes nuts. A 50s–70s classic that captured the sweet-and-savory trend.

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14

Recipe: Perfection Salad - Burnt My Fingers

Lemon gelatin filled with shredded cabbage, celery, peppers, and carrots. Created in the early 1900s, it stayed popular through the 50s.

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15

Cherry Waldorf Jello Mold

Gelatin with apples, grapes, celery, and walnuts. A 1950s–60s twist on the famous Waldorf salad, adding a wobbly flair.

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16

Classic Pineapple Jello Salad

With its crushed pineapple-Jello base, creamy middle, & homemade pineapple curd topping, layered Pineapple Jello Salad is one tasty old-timey classic.

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17

Coffee Gelatin Mold

Gelatin flavored with coffee and sometimes topped with whipped cream. A “sophisticated” 1960s dessert for ladies’ coffee groups.

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18

Emerald Salad Ring

Lime Jell-O with cottage cheese, mayonnaise, and pineapple. A very 1950s–60s savory mold that showed up at potlucks.

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19

The Gelatin Diaries: Vegetable Salad

Packed with vegetables, you either loved or hated the classic vegetable salads made with Jello.

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20

Ambrosia Salad Jello - Olga’s Flavor Factory

Pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and coconut set in Jell-O. A twist on ambrosia salad that showed up at 60s–70s potlucks.

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21

Coca-Cola Jello Salad

Cherry Jell-O made with cola and filled with cherries and pecans. A 1950s novelty dish showcasing America’s soda craze.

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22

Easy Jello with Fruit Cocktail

Jell-O with canned fruit cocktail inside. Born in the Depression, it remained popular through the 60s for its thriftiness.

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23

Jell-O Ice Cream Mold

Gelatin combined with melted ice cream for a creamy texture. A 60s–70s shortcut dessert found in community cookbooks.

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24

Orange Jello Salad with Pudding Whipped Cream

Orange gelatin layered with vanilla pudding or whipped cream. A 1970s creation inspired by the creamsicle ice cream bar.

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25

Dream Whip Pie Gelatin Mold

Gelatin blended with Dream Whip and set in a pie mold. A 1960s–70s favorite marketed as a “modern” shortcut dessert.

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FAQs About Vintage Gelatin Molds

Why were gelatin molds so popular in the 1950s–70s?

They were inexpensive, colorful, and could be made ahead of time, making them perfect for potlucks and holidays.

What’s the most iconic vintage gelatin mold?

Ribbon molds and cranberry molds were holiday showstoppers, while lime cottage cheese molds were everyday classics.

Were savory gelatin molds really common?

Yes! Recipes like tomato aspic and relish molds were surprisingly popular at luncheons and dinner parties.

Do people still make gelatin molds today?

They’ve made a comeback at retro-themed parties, holidays, and even on Pinterest boards celebrating vintage cooking.

What molds did grandma use?

Grandma often used metal ring molds, Bundt pans, or even Tupperware molds introduced in the 1960s.