Who doesn't love Jello? Is that even a question? Especially when you can get every color and flavor possible in one serving! Here is a easy and fun how-to recipe for layered rainbow Jello with or without the white cream layer. However, you will need to set aside some hours for completion and definitely make room in your refrigerator!

Supplies

Ingredients

7 (more or less, it's up to you!) (3 oz) Jello packages (use your imagination and mix up the colors/flavors to your desire!)
8 Knox or other unflavored gelatin mix packages
3 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk
20 cups water
Ice (for chilling the water)

Tools

Spoon
Whisk
Lots of measuring cups (I like the glass Pyrex ones for microwaving the water instead of boiling it on the stove)
Containers, cups and/or molds to hold your Jello creation
Microwave or stove (and pot if using this option)
Refrigerator
1 paper towel roll (for keeping everything clean during all the mixing and pouring!)
Scissors (to cut open the Jello packages if it's too hard to rip by hand)

Step 1: Go to the Store and Get All Your Ingredients!

Go to your local store and choose your colors/flavors depending on what they have available and also, with whatever theme you are shooting for... even if it isn't a rainbow one.

The next deciding factor may cut your layered Jello making time in half... Do you want that extra white cream layer? If so, purchase some sweetened condensed milk (I like to get a little extra just in case and if you don't use it, you can store it for later use).

And of course, some Knox or any other brand unflavored gelatin mix. I like to get the big box since I'm always trying new things and it sometimes comes in handy.

Step 2: Preperation J!

Ok, jokes aside...

My method is to use the 1 quart size Pyrex measuring cup and microwave 1 cup of water for around 1 minute 30 seconds to get the water hot for the next step (you will be using the same Pyrex measuring cup to mix the Jello inside).

In a 1 cup size measuring cup (does not have to be glass), you can chill some water with ice on the side or chilled water that you have in the refrigerator will work just as well.

Find all the containers, cups and/or molds you will be using for this recipe and set them up so it will be easy to transport in and out of the refrigerator between layers.

Clear out enough room for all your containers, cups and/or molds to fit in your refrigerator and make sure everything will sit level (flat).

Step 3: Make Jello As Directed on the Box With a Little Extra Knox

This step you will pretty much be making the Jello as directed on the box.

Add desired Jello flavor and 1 teaspoon (about half a package) of Knox unflavored gelatin mix to previously heated hot water and mix with whisk.
Once all mix contents are completely dissolved after mixing, add the one cup of cold water and mix again with the whisk.
Allow mixture to cool to room temperature. This does not apply to the first layer, only all other layers. I learned that if you pour even a slightly warm mixture over the chilled Jello layer, it will cause it to crack and collapse if the conditions are too much.

Step 4: White Cream Layer?

If you choose that you want that extra white cream layer, make this at the same time you make your first Jello layer. Like I previously stated, it will also need to be cooled to room temperature before pouring over Jello layers.

Add 2 teaspoons (one package) of Knox unflavored gelatin mix to hot water and mix with whisk.
Once all mix contents are completely dissolved after mixing, add 7 oz (half a can) of the sweetened condensed milk and mix again with the whisk until completely combined and uniform.
Once it nears room temperature, make sure you continue to mix contents periodically so it does not start to set outside of the refrigerator.
Use your judgement and continue to follow this step, because you will have to keep making this every two colors or so. If you were to make it all at once, the white cream gelatin mixture will be too hard to pour out even just sitting at room temperature.

Step 5: Pour Your First Layer and Refrigerate!

Pour the first color that you want into your containers, cups and/or molds.

I stress again that you have a nice level (flat) area in the refrigerator for these to set! If not, the layers will not come out looking even!

Turn your refrigerator to it's coldest setting and allow each Jello layer to set for at least 30 minutes before moving on to the next layer (the Knox unflavored gelatin mix helps speed up the process).

The white cream layer seems to set a little faster... maybe around 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 6: Continue the Layers!

At this point, you will follow steps 2 through 5 over and over until all your layers are completed!

If you are following the rainbow directions, I made this one starting with purple on the bottom, then blue, green, yellow, orange, red and pink (I know that one isn't a rainbow color, but it fit well there).

If you are adding the white cream layer, just alternate adding between colors. And just make more... slightly in advance (for cooling), when needed.

With this, timing is everything. The first time I made this, it took me all day, mainly because some mixes were't cool enough to add. So, if you can figure out the timing, it will definitely speed up the process.

Tips

For layers to have the same height, more gelatin mix will be necessary if the cup or container is wider at the top.
If using a plastic cup or container and have a hard time judging where each color should end, take a spare plastic cup and draw lines on the side for reference points.
When adding liquid gelatin layers, gently tilt the cup, container or mold side to side to completely cover desired surface (less in more... don't keep adding more if you are near the reference point)
Remove any excess bubbles from liquid gelatin mixtures before pouring into cups, containers and/or molds to reduce air pockets.