About the Recipe
So, after my experience in making Aspic, my daughters asked me to make them something Jell-O-y as well. Having now worked with gelatin powder and the magic of layering Jell-O, I thought it would be a fun idea to make a Jell-O cake with "Belly Button" gummy candies. I wanted the Jell-O to be as clear as possible so that you could really see the gummies inside. It turned out as I hoped it would and my daughters loved it!
This fun cake is a delightful blend of tart and sweet and bursting with fun.
What makes this Jell-O cake truly special is that the Jell-O is homemade from fresh lemon and lime juice, sugar, water, and gelatin powder. I wanted to enjoy the pure and natural flavors of the fruits without any without it being too sweet (after all, the gummies would take care of that part).
I really wanted the gummies to be like colorful polka dots throughout, that is why I opted for Belly Buttons.
These little bursts of fruity sweetness add a fun and playful element to the cake that is sure to delight both kids and adults alike.
So easy to put your own twist on it. Change up the Jell-O flavor and the gummies. Perfect for a custom dessert to match a party theme or make someone smile with their favorite candy.
So if you're looking for a unique and refreshing dessert that is easy to make and bursting with flavor, look no further than this homemade Jell-O cake.
Ingredients
1/2 cup Lemon Juice
1/2 cup Lime Juice
1 cup Granulated Sugar
9 cups Water
4 1/2 Packs (31.5g) Gelatin Powder
2 drops Red Food Coloring (optional)
2 cups Gummies (Belly Buttons)
Preparation
This recipe is so easy to make, it requires very little ingredients, but does require a bit of time and patience if you want to get the layers right. Learning my Jell-O layering technique from making Aspic, this one was fun and easy!
I suggest using a silicone mold, as this will make it easier to remove the cake after it has been set and cooled.
Start by making the Jell-O.
In a large saucepan, heat the sugar, lemon juice, lime juice and 8 cups of water. Heat untill all the sugar has desolved. In a separate bowl, disolve the gelatin powder in the remaining cup of water.
Remove the Lemon-Lime syrup from the heat and stir in the gelatin mixture. Add drops of food coloring if you so desire.
Prepare your mold by greasing the inside with a little bit of oil (don't over do it, just a little to help with sliding out the Jell-O cake once it is set).
Now the fun part. Layering the gummies.
Start by pouring a layer of Jell-O into your mold. This will be the top of the cake. You want it smooth with no lumps from candy, so that is why I suggest you make a smooth layer of Jell-O first. Place your mold in the frige and let this first layer set (approx. 20 mins).
When the Jell-O has set, remove from the fridge and start adding some gummies. I like to space mine out so they look sprinkled in, but you can do rows if you prefer. (Keep in mind that the gummies will grow a bit inside the Jell-O, so space them apart a bit).
After adding a layer of gummies, carefully pour another layer of Jell-O over top. If your gummies float around a little, don't worry, you can always push them around and place them back once you settle your mold down in the fridge before setting the Jell-O.
Continue this layering process until your cake is complete.
Let the cake cool and set overnight in the fridge.
When it is set and ready to serve, dip the bottom of your mold into warm water for 5 seconds. This will help to release the cake from the mold more easily.
Flip the mold onto your serving plate and carefully remove the cake from the mold.
Hope you enjoy it as much as my kids did!