Unmolding your Jello:
1. Dip the mold in warm (not hot) water. Immerse it so the water comes up to, but not over the rim. Keep submerged for 15 seconds.
2. While the mold is submerged, moisten the tips of your fingers, and gently pull the edges of the gelatin away from the mold.
3. Moisten a serving plate (so you can slide your mold and center it on the plate once unmolded) and place it upside down over the mold.
4. Hold the mold and the plate together, invert, and shake slightly to loosen the gelatin; carefully pull the mold away. (If this does not work, repeat the steps.)
Consistency Chart:
| If the recipe says: | The gelatin should: | Keep it in the fridge for: | You need it like this so you can: |
| Refrigerate until thickened | Be the consistency of an extremely dense pudding. | About an hour and thirty minutes* | Suspend fruit inside the gelatin. |
| Refrigerate until set but not firm | Stick to your finger if you touch it. If you tilt the mold, gelatin at this stage will tilt to the side. | About two hours* | Layer different flavors of gelatin and have the layers stick together. |
| Refrigerate until firm | Not stick to your finger if touched. Be immobile. | Individual molds: minimum of 3 hours. 2-6 cup molds: at least 4 hours. 8-12 cup molds: at least five hours or overnight. |
Unmold and serve. |
*These times are approximate and vary based on the volume of gelatin being used and the thickness of layers being created. It is best to check on your gelatin’s consistency regularly during refrigeration.
Making Layers:
Layered molds can be a little tricky. If one layer is too firm, the layer placed on top will slide right off it. Conversely, if one layer is too soft, the colors will blend together.
1. Refrigerate each layer until set but not firm (see chart above) before adding the next layer.
2. With the exception of the first layer, make sure the gelatin mixtures for subsequent layers have cooled and thickened a little before adding.If you pour the gelatin mixture while it is still warm, it may “melt” the previous layer a bit, causing the flavors and colors to run together.
3. Wait about an hour (depending on the thickness of the layers) for each of the layers to solidify when making a layered mold.
The Jello Mold Mistress 