Indulge in nostalgia with this Vintage Coffee Jelly Recipe, a delightful parfait with coffee-flavored Jello and cream. This step-by-step guide brings to life a timeless treat that combines the allure of coffee with the charm of Jello.
To help bring this vintage recipe to life again SKS Bottle & Packaging provided the glass jars. Check them out for all your bottle and jar needs!
Coffee jelly, a dessert combining coffee and gelatin, offers a refreshing treat, especially on warm days. It’s cost-effective and easy to make, with a history spanning cultures.
This recipe comes from 1954. I found it in a vintage magazine in an article about coffee desserts. Coffee desserts seemed to be pretty popular during the time given the number of recipes you find. I made another vintage coffee recipe a while ago, a coffee ice cream float. Both recipes are delicious!
Brief History of Coffee Jelly
Coffee jelly is a delightful dessert that was first seen in cookbooks published in England as early as 1817. It gained popularity in the early 20th century.
Back in its heyday, coffee jelly attained a remarkable level of popularity, and this can be attributed, in part, to its economical nature. With humble ingredients such as gelatin and surplus coffee, it managed to hold a special place among budget-friendly dessert options. The straightforward preparation process added to its allure, making it an attractive choice for both novice and seasoned cooks seeking a quick, satisfying treat.
As culinary landscapes evolved and tastes evolved, coffee jelly is not really seen anymore in the US. However, it remains popular in Japan. You also will see it in some Asian restaurants in the US.
During the 1950s, coffee jelly creations began incorporating flavored Jello into this dessert. Likely due to the popularity of Jello at the time. Jello is also very cheap and accessible.
In summation, the journey of coffee jelly is a culinary narrative that spans time and cultures, reflecting the shifts in preferences, availability of ingredients, and the ever-evolving world of gastronomy. While its prominence may have dimmed in the United States, its enduring popularity in Japan and its dynamic evolution over time showcase the remarkable ability of food to intertwine with the cultural fabric of societies.
How to Make Vintage Coffee Jelly
This simple version of coffee jelly is made using Jello and instant coffee! It can sound weird but it’s actually pretty delicious. It’s worth the try, you may be surprised.
Scroll down to find the full recipe card. There is a printable version as well!
You will need these ingredients:
- Lemon Jello
- Instant Coffee
- Whipped Cream
- Powdered Sugar
That’s all! It’s really simple to make and also a very budget-friendly dessert. And to make it even easier you can get the ingredients delivered with Instacart. You can even get free delivery on your first 3 orders.
If you haven’t used instant coffee or it’s been a long time, it can actually be really good. You want to buy a high-quality version but it’s great to have around for recipes like this and if you want coffee fast.
I love Mount Hagen instant coffee. It’s really quite good. I used it a lot to make oat milk lattes at home. It’s also organic and Fair Trade.
Once you have all of these ingredients the recipe is really easy. You will have to plan ahead to allow time for the Jello to set but otherwise, you can whip it up in no time.
Start by allowing the Jello to dissolve in hot water, stir in the coffee, and then the cold water.
Pour this mixture into a glass dish. I used a 6-inch Pyrex container. Let it set in the fridge for 4 hours or until fully set.
When it has set, cut into half-inch cubes. Set them aside. Whip up some whipped cream and fold in powdered sugar.
After that, you will alternate layers of the coffee jelly cubes and whipped cream in a glass. That’s all! Now it’s ready to enjoy.
For my glasses, I used glass jars from SKS Bottle & Packaging. They have glass jars and bottles of all sizes and styles. I used their 10 oz clear wide-mouth jars. This makes for big servings so you could easily use smaller jars or glasses.
Can You Make Other Flavors of Coffee Jelly?
The lemon flavor sounded very weird to me but citrus is often mixed with coffee and it was pretty good.
I think next time I’d try a flavor like cherry. You could use any Jello flavor that sounds good to you.
Vintage Coffee Jelly Recipe
Layers of delicious coffee-flavored Jello and whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 1 3-ounce package lemon Jello
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 1/4 cup powder sugar, sifted
- 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
Instructions
- Dissolve Jello in hot water; stir in coffee; add cold water.
- Pour into the dish and chill in the refrigerator until set, usually around 4 hours.
- When set, cut into half-inch cubes.
- Fold sugar into whipped cream.
- Put alternating layers of coffee jelly cubes and whipped cream in glasses or jars.
Notes
The original recipe said 6 servings but those are pretty small servings. I only got 3 when using 10 oz jars.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 171Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 14mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 1g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
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