This raspberry jello cake is the perfect holiday dessert and is always a favorite with the kiddos. The moist sponge cake paired with the sweet-tartness of the raspberry mousse and fresh raspberries will win your crowd over.
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You can also get as creative as you want with this; changing up the jello and fruit – the possibilities are endless! Here’s a Strawberry Jello Cake I made last year with the basics of this same recipe.
Ingredients for Raspberry Jello Cake:
The jello mousse portion is the star of the show and all it requires is a package of raspberry jello and whipped topping. So easy!! The bottom layer is our classic European sponge cake but you could easily use lady fingers in a pinch and it will still taste great!
I love that this jello cake is potluck and party friendly. It isn’t too complicated and it’s convenient to transport and serve (less chances of it sliding off your cake plate and landing upside down on the sidewalk as you get out of the car arriving for Thanksgiving dinner! That happened to my cheesecake last year… it was a very sad moment.
P.S. Thanks for sharing your similar sad/hilarious stories on Instagram). My friend Laura from church made this jello mousse cake for a church potluck a few years ago and I’ve been smitten ever since! I hope you love the recipe and find the video below handy!
Watch How to Make Raspberry Jello Cake:
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Raspberry Jello Cake Print-Friendly Recipe:
Raspberry Jello Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Raspberry Mousse:
- 6 oz package raspberry jello
- 8 oz tub cool whip, thawed in the fridge
For the Cake Layer:
- 4 large eggs, room temp
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
For the Syrup:
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Topping Ingredients:
- 3 oz package raspberry jello
- 6 oz package raspberries
Instructions
Start making the Jello Mousse:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 6 oz jello with 2 cups boiling water. Stir until dissolved then add 1 cup cold water (this is 1/2 of the cold water the package calls for). Let jello sit at room temp until just starting to set. Note: If you need to speed set jello, you can refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes at the end or until the jello is syrupy and soft set.
How to Make the Cake & Simple Syrup: Preheat Oven to 350˚F. Line the bottom of a 13x9 Glass baking dish with parchment paper. Don't grease the sides.
- Beat 4 large eggs with the whisk attachment for 1 min on high speed. With the mixer on, add 1/2 cup sugar and continue beating on high speed for 5 min until thick and fluffy. Fold in 1/4 tsp vanilla.
- Sift in 1/2 cup flour in thirds into the batter, folding it in between each addition. When mixing, scrape the bottom of the bowl to ensure you don't have pockets of flour hiding at the bottom. Fold until no streaks of flour remain; do not over-mix or you will deflate the batter. Spread batter evenly into lined glass dish and bake at 350˚F for 18-20 minutes, or until top is golden brown and springs back when poked slightly.
- Remove from oven, cut away from edges, invert onto a cooling rack and peel back the parchment paper. (Note: Let cake sit on top of the peeled back parchment paper to cool - I have found that sometimes it sticks to a cooling rack and can be hard to pry off after it cools down). Rinse and dry the baking dish then return cooled cake back to the pan.
- Combine the syrup ingredients: 1/2 cup warm water, 2 Tbsp sugar and 1 tsp lemon juice and set aside to cool to room temp. Brush the top of the cooled cake evenly with syrup.
Finish the Jello Mousse and Topping:
- Once jello is starting to thicken and has a slight wiggle to it, beat in 8 oz cool whip. Tip: If your mousse is watery, you should refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes until it's slightly thickened, but keep an eye on it so it doesn't set too much or it will be hard to spread.
- Pour the mousse over the cake layer and spread evenly. Top with raspberries, pushing them down slightly into the mousse. Refrigerate 1 hour or until mousse is set. Meanwhile, start making your jello topping.
- In a large measuring cup, combine 3 oz jello with 1 cup boiling water and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Add 1/2 cup cold water and let cool to room temp. (Tip: Never pour warm jello over the mousse or you'll end up with a creamy layer on top) Pour jello over the back of a spoon into the pyrex dish and refrigerate another hour or until fully set.
♥ Tools used to make this recipe (Amazon Affiliate links):
- Red Stand Mixer from KitchenAid: 6 Qt. Professional 600 Series in Empire Red
- *Glass Baking Dish from Anchor Hocking 9×13 3qt Glass Baking Dish
- *Flexible spatula/ turner (multi-purpose!): OXO Good Grips
- *Clear glass mixing/prep bowl from Pyrex
- *Reversible Cutting Board by John Boos 20 by 15 by 1.5-Inch, Walnut
I hope you all have an awesome and blessed Thanksgiving weekend! I’m excited to watch my Facebook and Instagram feeds to see what creative things you’re cooking up!
– Natasha
Can I use this recipe to make a strawberry version because where I live we don’t get any raspberries
You sure can! We have the Strawberry version HERE.
I made it several times. It’s always a hit for small or big parties! definitely a must try!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
I made this with apricot jello and canned mandarin oranges on top. Wonderfull!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Natasha!
This is one of my favourite cakes for a while – thanks for this recipe. I would like to replace the cake layer with lady fingers, would anything else need to change? Also can I make this cake one day and a half ahead?
Hi Galina, that would work to use ladyfingers. I hope you love the cake!
I have made this cake several times and we all love it. I changed one thing lately which is the syrup. I added jello syrup instead of the lemon syrup and that made the cake pink and more moist and tasty. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes.
So nice to know that, thank you for sharing some tips with us. That’s definitely useful!
This looks very similar to the orange/tangerine sheet cake at Chinese buffets. I’ve been wanting to recreate this. I think they add some jello mix to the cake as well. Has anyone tried this and been successful? Was thinking I could buy two large boxes and use the extra to add flavor to the cake.
Hi Harold, I haven’t tested that with adding jello to the cake. I hope our readers see this and give us some feedback.
Using lady fingers was did not work, they floated to the top and refused to settle down. I then just waited until the Jell-O was halfway set and pushed them under, was not the prettiest thing lol, it’s a relief that I’m just making the jello for my family at home.
Hi Katrina, that is surprising that they floated under the heavy mousse layer? Did you spread the mousse layer on first and let that set before adding the jello on top?
Hi Natasha,
When I set the Jello aside in room temperature, the Jello didn’t thicken! It was just syrup-ish. Their was no thickness to it at all. so I tried watching the recipe and video over, and over again. What do you think went wrong?
Hi, could you have used a smaller package of jello than what was called for in the recipe?
Made this today using gluten free flour. It is incredible to be able to have delicious desserts while having a gluten restriction. Turned out scrumptious. Kids and family enjoyed immensely. Thank you!
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Inga!
Loved the recipe everytime i make…
Comes out perfect every time!
Isn’t that the best! Thank you for that wonderful review!
Hi natasha,
Not sure why my review hasn’t gone through. Maybe I forgot to click send or something which I wouldn’t put pass me with my scattered brain lolz.
I have to say it was wonderful! Not too sweet either which I love. Everyone loved it!
I used thickened cream and whip it up to whipping consistency. It did originally looked watery but thickened up really good and I used aeroplane jelly (Australian jello)
I’m so happy you enjoyed that Nadai! Thank you for sharing that awesome review with me!
Could I make this lemon flavored? Would it work the same?
Hi Megan, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
Can I use sugar free jello? If so, what would I need to change?
Hi! I haven’t tested that but I imagine that will work. If you experiment please let me know how you like that!
Hi natasha, will be making in soon. Just wondering as many recipes from american websites have a more on the very heavily sugar sweet which i do not prefer and tend to cut sugar in half.
Is this cake super sweet? I also am using whipping cream that i will whip up as we don’t have cool whip here. Hope it turns out.
Hi Nadia, we don’t like overly sweet dessert either. I think this one is just right and not overly sweet. You are more than welcome to experiment, please let me know how you like that if you do.
Will do, starting to make it now and will let you know soon!
Hi, can you help me?
I have a friend who is gluten free and I have another friend who is dairy free. I am trying to find a cake to make for both of them. Do you have any suggestions and will this Raspberry Jello Cake work with gluten free powder?
I wanted to make two different cakes:
One gluten free was hoping to have something strawberry
Dairy free wanted a jello/gelatin cake
Hi Rachel, I haven’t tested that with either option so I cannot advise. If you experiment please let me know how you like that!
Hi Natasha, I can’t get Cool Whip where I live. What can I substitute it with ? Thanks
Hi Ivy! one of my readers wrote: ” I made this jello and everybody in my family loved it. I used frozen raspberries on the topping instead of fresh ones. But I think it worked just as fine. I used Whipped Topping for the mousse instead of cool whip. It worked just as fine. Thanks for the recipe. I love them all.”
I hope this helps.
Hi Natasha,
Is it possible to substitute the egg?
Thanks
Hi Nisha, unfortunately the cake portion would not work without the egg since that is the main ingredient and what the cake relies on to rise.
How long does it keep in the fridge? Can I make it a couple days in advance?
It depends on the freshness of your raspberries. If they are fairly firm and not squishy yet, you can even make it 2 days ahead.
This is my third time making this, every time I have hard time with the mouse, don,t want to thickening. When I made mouse I put in the freeze for 2 hours,,,,
I think someone don’t tell true measurements.
Hi Mira, the measurements are accurate – Did you make sure to use a 6oz package of jello and make it according to the recipe instructions (not the package instructions?)
Hi Natasha, i would really like to make this yummy dessert for my husband and i, but is it possible to make only half of the recipe ? i love jello and i love mousse so…thanks for your reply !
Hi France! I don’t see why not. Just need to adjust the recipe and put it into a smaller container! 🙂 I hope you love it!