Joys of Jell-O
August 27, 2009 at 5:46 pm | Posted in RecipeBook | 16 CommentsTags: Dessert, Food, Jello, Photography


My parents found this vintage gem of a recipe book for 50 cents at a library sale in Virginia. The Joys of Jell-o, circa 1960-something, proves that people in the 60s had some funny ideas about food (as well as a kitschy aesthetic for food photography). The book contains the usual, some silly (re: Birthday Surprise), candy-colored jell-o recipes but also a large number of savory jell-o salad recipes. While I am curious to try some of these recipes I have to admit that the idea of a gelatin mold containing mayonnaise and shrimp makes my stomach turn. Thanks Mom & Dad!
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hi! i just discovered your blog and love it. i am a huge appreciator of jello and have been collecting jello cookbooks for years. you can see some of my collection here: http://printerpiemaker.blogspot.com/2009/06/why-jello.html. also, did you hear about this competition in brooklyn earlier this year? http://printerpiemaker.blogspot.com/2009/07/jello-art.html
Comment by Hannah— December 25, 2009 #
Love your blog! You a have great collection of stuff, especially your jello cook books. Its funny how both original owners of our Joy of Jello cookbooks wrote there name in top right corner.
Comment by Victoria Belanger— December 28, 2009 #
I made so many recipes out of that cookbook when I was newly married. It was one of my first cookbooks.
Comment by Gail Carter— December 29, 2009 #
Is it possible to get the recipe for the rainbow cake in the second picture? It looks like a lot of fun!
Comment by Caketacular Events— March 3, 2010 #
1 package (3oz) each Black Raspberry , Lime, Lemon, Orange, and Strawberry Jello.
5 cups boiling water.
2 1/2 cups cold water
1 cup whipped cream
Dissolve each package of jello separately in 1 cup boiling water. Add 1/2 cup cold water each. Chill raspberry jello until very thick. Smoothly line sides of a 9 or 10 inch spring-form pan with wax paper, cut to extend 3 inches above pan. Whip black raspberry jello until fluffy (using an electric mixer). Spoon into pan. Chill until set but not firm. Chill, whip, and layer remaining flavors into pan, letting each layer chill until set, but not firm before adding the next layer. Chill until firm or overnight. Loosen around the edges and remove sides of pan and paper. Spread whipped cream over sides and top of cake. Good luck!
Comment by Victoria Belanger— March 4, 2010 #
Awesome; thanks a bunch!
Comment by Caketacular Events— March 4, 2010 #
My friend just moved his parents out of their house, which they had lived in for the last 60 years. One of the treasures his mom gave to us is a jello cookbook with an especially fun design element for jello “pairings.” We both think you should have it. If you will email me a mailing address, I’ll send it your way. (came across your blog via The Splendid Table)
Comment by Megan— June 20, 2010 #
Wow, sounds neat. Thanks!
Comment by Victoria Belanger— June 21, 2010 #
[...] recipe came from the classic Joys of Jell-O recipe book and boasts a new way to make the old fashioned confection. These strawberry, cherry, [...]
Pingback by Jello Marzipan « The Jello Mold Mistress of Brooklyn— August 8, 2010 #
Hello Victoria,
I would love to know if there is a miniature mold that Jell-O might have so I can make Candy Jelly Rings. The ones you buy by the pound & come in fruit flavors.
Orginially from Bayridge, Brooklyn, NY now in Ft. Myers, FLorida
Thank you,
Maria “BklynTomato68″
Comment by maria— December 27, 2010 #
Hmmm, not sure how miniature you are looking for. Most of the mini molds that I have seen have a 1/2 cup capacity, like these: http://www.etsy.com/listing/27179874/vintage-aluminum-tart-cake-chocolate
You may also be able to use those silicon ice cub treys that come is a variety of shapes: http://www.amazon.com/Carefree-Kitchen-Heart-Shaped-Gelatin/dp/B002DM74BQ
Hope this helps!
Comment by Victoria Belanger— December 27, 2010 #
[...] housewarming/engagement party I wanted to create one the of vintage recipes from the Joys of Jell-O recipe book. I don’t know what it is about the Under-the-Sea Salad that screams domestic [...]
Pingback by Under-the-Sea Salad « The Jello Mold Mistress of Brooklyn— August 1, 2011 #
[...] to try a recipe from it. The New Joys of Jell-O, a 1973 follow-up to the original 1960′s Joys of Jell-O, takes jello from the suburbs to the city and features photographs of sophisticated, swinging, [...]
Pingback by Cherries Romanoff « The Jello Mold Mistress of Brooklyn— January 24, 2012 #
i”ve been looking for that jello book for years! it’s exactly the same book i remember as a child!! how can i purchase one to have
Comment by rose— February 10, 2012 #
My parents found mine for me at a thrift store but you can buy them online. Here are a couple I found on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91015799/vintage-cookbook-1940s-joys-of-jello?utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS
and
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69004061/sale-vintage-joys-of-jell-o-cookbook?utm_source=googleproduct&utm_medium=syndication&utm_campaign=GPS
Good luck!
Comment by Victoria Belanger— February 11, 2012 #
I still have mine that I ordered in 1963!
Comment by Linda— April 3, 2013 #