Name: Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 7 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; ¼ cup nuts pecans or walnuts, chopped finely; ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup boiling water; 1 small box (3 oz) lime gelatin; 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened; 1 8oz container whipped topping, thawed; Green food coloring (optional); 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 8oz container whipped topping, thawed; 2 cups boiling water; 2 small boxes (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin; 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries; Additional whipped topping; Sprinkles or candy

There's something irresistibly joyful about the colors and flavors coming together in the Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe. This layered dessert is like a party in a bowl—zesty lime, sweet strawberries, and creamy layers that melt in your mouth. It’s not just delicious but also a showstopper that’s perfect for holiday celebrations or whenever you want a nostalgic treat with a fresh twist.

This image shows a square dessert with five layers on a white plate. The bottom layer is a beige, crumbly crust with small nut pieces. Above it is a thick, smooth mint green layer. Next is a white fluffy layer with some small air holes, followed by a semi-translucent bright red jelly layer. The top layer is a thick white whipped cream with a swirled texture, decorated with red and green round candy pieces scattered on top. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first stumbled upon this luscious dessert at a family Christmas gathering, and it instantly became a tradition. There’s something magical about how each layer complements the others—plus, it’s surprisingly easy to put together if you take it one step at a time. Trust me, you’re going to want this recipe bookmarked for every festive occasion.

Balanced Flavors: The combination of tangy lime and sweet strawberry keeps every bite refreshing and indulgent.
Simple Prep: With a few straightforward steps, you’ll create layers that look impressive but don’t overwhelm your schedule.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It sits beautifully in the fridge allowing the flavors to meld while you focus on other holiday prep.
Customizable Fun: You can easily swap fruit or add festive colors to match any celebration theme.

The image shows a slice of layered dessert on a stack of white plates with a white marbled texture background. The dessert has four main layers: the bottom crust layer is light tan and slightly crumbly; above it is a thick mint green creamy layer; on top of that is a bright red translucent gelatin layer; and the top layer is fluffy white whipped cream decorated with red and green round candy pieces. A fork holds a piece of the dessert, showing each layer clearly and the creamy texture of the whipped topping. In the background, part of a tray of the whole dessert and a bowl filled with red and green candies are visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This dessert is a beautiful harmony of textures and flavors: crisp crust, creamy layers, tangy gelatin, and fresh fruit. Each ingredient plays a key role in delivering that trademark “lush” experience—plus, they’re easy to find at any grocery store this time of year.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, two tablespoons of granulated sugar in a small white bowl, a handful of finely chopped mixed pecans and walnuts on a white ceramic dish, a stick of unsalted butter unwrapped and fresh looking, a small white bowl filled with boiling water, a small box of lime gelatin powder beside it, a block of cream cheese softened on a plain white plate, a container of fluffy whipped topping scooped into another white bowl, a small white bowl of green food coloring droplets, a second block of softened cream cheese on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, two small boxes of strawberry gelatin powder, a generous pile of sliced fresh strawberries arranged neatly on a white plate, and additional whipped topping in a white bowl next to some colorful sprinkles on a separate small white dish, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Forms the base crust, giving a nice buttery crunch that holds up against the moist layers.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the crust and creamy layers just right without overpowering.
Nuts (pecans or walnuts): Adds a subtle nuttiness and texture to the crust that balances the creamy filling.
Unsalted butter: Essential for that tender, flavorful crust foundation.
Lime gelatin: This gives the tart zing to the first layer, perfectly complementing the cream cheese.
Cream cheese: Brings richness and smoothness, binding the layers together with a luscious texture.
Whipped topping: Lightens up the cream cheese mixtures, keeping the layers fluffy and dreamy.
Green food coloring (optional): A festive touch to make that lime layer pop.
Strawberry gelatin: The sweetness and aroma of strawberry gelatin well blend with the fresh fruit topping.
Fresh strawberries: Always use ripe berries—they anchor the top layer with natural sweetness and color.
Additional whipped topping, sprinkles, or candy (optional): Perfect for garnish and extra celebration flair.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe is how easy it is to put your own spin on it. Whether you’re aiming for a lower-sugar version or want to swap out fruits based on what’s in season, this recipe bends quite nicely without sacrificing that lush charm.

Variation: I once made this with raspberry gelatin instead of strawberry, adding fresh raspberries—the tang was delightful and gave the dessert a beautiful, deeper pink hue.
Dairy-Free Twist: Try substituting the cream cheese and whipped topping with coconut-based alternatives for a non-dairy version—just keep an eye on texture adjustments.
Less Sweet: Reduce or eliminate added sugar in the cream cheese layers if you prefer a mildly sweet dessert—it balances nicely with the jello layers.
Festive Colors: Adding a bit of red or green food coloring can amp up the holiday spirit if you want that extra pop.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe

Step 1: Creating That Perfect Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. I like to spray my 13×9 baking dish well with cooking spray so the crust releases easily later. In a big bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and finely chopped nuts. Then add softened butter and combine everything well—your fingers work wonders here. Press the dough evenly into your baking dish and bake for about 15-18 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool completely before moving to the next layer; this base sets the tone for all the creamy goodness to come.

Step 2: The Zesty Lime First Layer That Sets the Mood

In another large bowl, pour your lime gelatin powder over 1 cup boiling water. Stir it for a good two minutes to make sure that gelatin dissolves fully—no gritty bits here! Pop the bowl into the fridge until it’s partially set, about an hour or until it has that jelly-like consistency but still spoonable. Meanwhile, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Slowly mix in your cooled lime gelatin and keep beating until everything is blended nicely. Fold in your thawed whipped topping gently so it stays airy. If you want that bright green color, add a few drops of food coloring. Spread this layer evenly over your cooled crust and chill for 30-40 minutes until it firms up.

Step 3: Creamy Dreamy Second Layer

For the next creamy layer, beat cream cheese and sugar together until silky. Fold in the whipped topping gently—you want to keep this layer light so it contrasts perfectly with the lime and strawberry parts. Spread it evenly over the set lime layer and refrigerate again for about 30-40 minutes to let it firm.

Step 4: Sweet Strawberry Finish

Now for the showstopper! Dissolve your strawberry gelatin in 2 cups boiling water, stirring for two minutes until smooth. Stir in the fresh sliced strawberries. Chill this mixture in the fridge, stirring every 10 minutes, until it's partially set—think thick but still spoonable. This step prevents the liquid from bleeding into the creamy layers below. Very gently spoon the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading it out carefully. Refrigerate the entire dessert until firm—this generally takes 2 to 4 hours. Once set, add a dollop of whipped topping, festive sprinkles, or candies if you want a bit of sparkle on top.

Top Tip

I've learned through countless batches that patience is your best friend when making this Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe. Giving each layer enough time to set ensures those beautiful, distinct layers with no messy blending. Here are some extra tips that worked wonders for me:

Partial Setting: Make sure each gelatin layer is partially or fully set before adding the next; otherwise, colors bleed and texture suffers.
Folding Method: Fold whipped topping gently to keep the layers light and fluffy—I use a rubber spatula and turn the bowl slowly.
Even Spreading: Use the back of a spoon to gently spread layers evenly without digging into the one below.
Fresh Fruit Prep: Slice berries uniformly so the top layer sets smoothly and looks pretty.

How to Serve Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe

Strawberry Lime Jello - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top mine with a generous swirl of whipped topping, then scatter a handful of red and green sprinkles to keep that cheerful holiday vibe. When friends come over, I sometimes add little candy canes crushed on top or chopped pistachios for a bit of unexpected crunch and color.

Side Dishes

This dessert pairs beautifully with light, refreshing sides like a crisp green salad dressed in citrus vinaigrette or even alongside savory finger foods such as mini quiches or smoked turkey sliders when served at holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I’ve served this dessert in clear individual glasses layered just like the dish—it looks impressive and makes portioning so easy. For big celebrations, sprinkling edible glitter on top or serving it with a side of candied strawberries adds that “wow” factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because it’s made from gelatin and dairy, it holds nicely for up to 4 days, but I recommend enjoying it within 2 days for the freshest texture and flavor.

Freezing

I don’t typically freeze this dessert since gelatin textures can change and become watery once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated only for a few days.

Reheating

This is a chilled dessert, so reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. Simply remove from fridge about 10 minutes before serving if you want the texture to relax a bit.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use flavored gelatin other than lime and strawberry?

Absolutely! You can substitute the lime and strawberry gelatin for other flavors like raspberry, cherry, or even orange, depending on your taste preferences. Just be sure to balance the colors and the fruit toppings accordingly.

How long should I wait between layering the gelatin and cream cheese mixtures?

It’s best to let each gelatin or creamy layer chill and set for at least 30-40 minutes before adding the next layer. This timing prevents the layers from mixing and helps maintain the distinct look and texture you want in this dessert.

Can I make this dessert dairy-free?

Yes, you can swap out the cream cheese and whipped topping for dairy-free alternatives such as plant-based cream cheese and coconut whipped cream. Keep in mind the texture might vary slightly, so folding gently and chilling properly is key.

What’s the best way to serve this at a party?

Serving in clear individual cups or small bowls really shows off the colorful layers and makes it easy for guests to grab a portion. Garnishing with fresh berries or sprinkles adds a festive touch, and chilling it thoroughly beforehand ensures a refreshing experience.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Strawberry Lime Jello Lush Recipe is one of those feel-good desserts that brings back holiday nostalgia with every spoonful. It’s colorful, creamy, and bursting with flavor—and honestly, it’s easier than it looks. Whether you’re bringing it to a family gathering or treating yourself on a cozy night, I promise you’ll love how it brightens up the table and the mood. Give it a try soon, I’m sure it’ll quickly become one of your favorites, just like it did for me.