Jello Roll Ups
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This Jello Roll Ups recipe turns a box of Jello and a handful of mini marshmallows into colorful pinwheels that are always fun to serve. They’re simple to make, easy to customize with different flavors, and look great on a dessert tray.
Easy Jello and Marshmallow Roll Ups
There’s something so nostalgic about Jello to me. It always takes me right back to being a kid, which is probably why I love finding new ways to use it in desserts. Adding Jello is such an easy way to bring bright color to a recipe, just like I do in my Rainbow Jello Poke Cake.
When I came across these Jello Roll Ups on social media, I knew I had to give them a try. As soon as I made them, I started thinking about all the fun color combinations. Red and blue Jello make these pinwheels a great addition to a Fourth of July dessert table alongside my Patriotic Poke Cake.
They would also be perfect for Christmas with cranberry and lime Jello for a festive red and green color scheme. Since they’re made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s easy to switch up the flavors and colors for different holidays and celebrations throughout the year.
Ingredients
- Jello – Provides the flavor, color, and structure for the pinwheels. Any 3-ounce box of Jello can be used.
- Hot Water – Dissolves the gelatin, allowing it to mix smoothly with the marshmallows.
- Mini Marshmallows – Melt into the Jello mixture to create a soft texture that can be rolled and sliced.
How to Make Jello Pinwheels with Marshmallows
- Dissolve the Jello – Add the Jello powder to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Pour the hot water over the top and stir until the gelatin is dissolved.
- Add the marshmallows – Stir in the mini marshmallows.
- Microwave – Microwave the mixture for 60 seconds.
- Mix until smooth – Stir until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Chill – Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 8×8-inch baking dish. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until set.
- Remove from the Pan – Carefully loosen the edges of the Jello with a butter knife and remove the sheet of Jello from the pan. Place it on a sheet of parchment paper.
- Roll – Roll the Jello into a tight log.
- Chill again – Return the roll to the refrigerator and chill for 1 additional hour.
- Slice and Serve – Cut into ½-inch slices and serve.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make holiday-themed pinwheels – Since this recipe is so simple, there aren’t many variations to the method itself. Instead, make multiple batches in different colors to match holidays and special occasions. Red and blue are great for the Fourth of July, while cranberry and lime make a festive Christmas combination.
- Use regular marshmallows – If you don’t have mini marshmallows, regular marshmallows can be used instead. Cut them into smaller pieces before adding them to the Jello mixture so they melt more quickly and evenly.
Tips for Success
- Weigh the marshmallows for consistent results – If you’re making multiple batches in different colors, weigh the marshmallows instead of relying solely on measuring cups. During testing, I found that small differences in the amount of marshmallows affected the thickness of the white spongy layer, resulting in rolls that weren’t all the same size. Using the same weight of marshmallows in each batch helps keep the pinwheels consistent.
- Use fresh marshmallows – Fresh marshmallows melt much more easily than stale ones. If your marshmallows have been sitting in the pantry for a while and feel firm or dried out, they may not melt smoothly into the Jello mixture.
- Roll and slice the same day – For the cleanest slices, roll and cut the Jello pinwheels the day they are made. The texture is softer, and the knife glides through more easily than if the rolls are left overnight before slicing.
- Don’t skip the second chill time – Refrigerating the Jello after it has been rolled into a log helps the layers stick together. This additional chill time also makes the roll less likely to unravel when sliced.
- Grease the pan lightly – A light coating of cooking spray helps the Jello release from the pan more easily without affecting the finished texture. If you notice any pools or puddles of cooking spray in the pan, gently dab them with a paper towel before adding the Jello mixture so the finished roll doesn’t end up greasy.
- Use a sharp knife – For the cleanest pinwheels, use a sharp knife and cut with one smooth downward motion. Avoid using a sawing motion, as it can tear the Jello and distort the pinwheel shape.
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Easy Desserts Made with Jello
From holiday celebrations to birthday parties, these vibrant Jello recipes bring plenty of color to the dessert table.
Did you love these Jello and marshmallow roll ups? Please leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Jello Roll Ups Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (3-ounce) box Jello
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. If needed, dab away any excess cooking spray with a paper towel.
- Add the Jello powder to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Pour the hot water over the top and stir until the gelatin is dissolved.
- Stir in the mini marshmallows.
- Microwave for 60 seconds.
- Stir until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until set.
- Carefully loosen the edges of the Jello with a butter knife and remove the sheet of Jello from the pan. Place it on a sheet of parchment paper.
- Roll the Jello into a tight log.
- Refrigerate for 1 additional hour.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the roll into 1/2-inch slices using a smooth downward motion
Notes
- Store Jello Roll Ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers if stacking to help prevent them from sticking together.
- I doubled the recipe for the photos in the post and made one batch with cherry jello and one with berry blue.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.