How to Make a 3D Jelly Cake
In this post, I’m going to show you how to get started with 3D jelly cake art. You might have seen these cakes when scrolling TikTok or Instagram. At first glance, it might seem intimidating to even attempt making one of these. Trust me, though, you’ll have a blast and will likely be surprised with your results!
My friend and I originally planned on baking something together, but ended up making 3D jelly cakes instead after she had to get her wisdom teeth removed. We had so much fun learning how to make something new together!
What’s a 3D Jelly Cake?
A 3D jelly cake consists of a clear base made out of gelatin, which is injected with bright and colorful creations. The result is a mesmerizing cake that is both beautiful and edible! Not to mention, super fun to poke so you can see that jello jiggle!
Supplies and Ingredients
- 3D cake decorating tools (my friend and I used these)
- Clear jello molds (we used clear glass bowls)
- Small mixing bowls
- Food coloring
- Clear gelatin
- Condensed milk
- Sugar
- Flavored extracts (we used rum and vanilla)
- Cooking spray* (I wish I knew this beforehand; apparently spraying your molds before putting the jello in makes it much easier to take out of the mold after)
Instructions
My friend and I used the instructions in the following video. I would also recommend googling different recipes online.
Basically, you make a clear base first.
Then once it’s set, you prepare the mixture for your creations. You’ll cut out a tiny hole in the middle of the base, and use use 3D decorating tools to insert your different creations.
I recommend making multiple clear bases. There will be some trial and error, and it’ll take a few tries to get the hang of using the decorating tools.
Results
Considering this was our first attempt at making these, I’d say we did a pretty great job! We used a variety of decorating tips to create different flowers.
We did run into a few challenges while making our 3D jelly cakes. Mainly, the colored jello mixture starts thickening after a certain amount of time, which makes it difficult to insert into the clear base because it would clog up the decorating tools. There were a few times that the decorating tips popped off, which resulted in jello spraying everywhere. We melted the mixture in the microwave, which made it easier to get through the decorating tips, but also resulted in a larger pool of liquid surrounding the insertion point.
After this happened a few times, I decided to experiment by mixing different colors at the bottom.
I was actually impressed with how this one came out. While it’s more on the abstract side, it looks more like an actual scene – like flowers floating on a pond.
The other challenge we ran into was taking the jello out of the molds. Sometimes the tops of our 3D jelly cakes remained stuck to the molds. As I mentioned earlier, if we had sprayed our molds with cooking spray, this may have been a lot easier.
Also, while 3D jelly cakes are edible, I found the taste to be lacking. I would say they taste like lightly sweetened water. Adding more sugar or flavoring extract might help, or perhaps drizzling them with something. I would say these are more fun to make than actually eat though. If you’re looking for a more flavorful jello project, I would consider making rainbow jello!
One thing I’ve learned from making 3D jelly cakes is that you have to let go and trust the process. Making any type of art should be fun. While it’s okay to be inspired by others’ creations, you shouldn’t stress about yours not looking exactly like theirs. Don’t be afraid to try new things! =)
