Jell-O Fruit Cottage Cheese (Printable)

A colorful chilled gelatin mold featuring pineapple, mandarin oranges, carrots, and creamy cottage cheese.

# What You Need:

→ Gelatin Base

01 - 2 packages (3 oz each) flavored gelatin (strawberry or orange)
02 - 475 ml boiling water
03 - 240 ml cold water

→ Fruit & Vegetables

04 - 240 ml crushed pineapple, well-drained
05 - 240 ml canned mandarin orange segments, drained
06 - 1 cup grated carrots

→ Creamy Additions

07 - 240 ml small-curd cottage cheese
08 - 120 ml chopped walnuts (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the gelatin in boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved.
02 - Add the cold water to the gelatin mixture and stir to combine.
03 - Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, approximately 20 minutes.
04 - Stir in crushed pineapple, mandarin orange segments, grated carrots, and cottage cheese. Add walnuts if desired.
05 - Pour the mixture into a 6-cup gelatin mold or bundt pan, smoothing the top evenly.
06 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours until fully set.
07 - Briefly dip the mold in warm water, then invert onto a serving platter.
08 - Slice the gelatin and serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks far more impressive than the fifteen minutes it takes to throw together.
  • The combination of fruit, vegetables, and creamy cottage cheese creates an unexpectedly complex texture that keeps you reaching for another spoonful.
  • Once you unmold it, everyone at the table stops and takes a moment to admire it before eating—that never gets old.
02 -
  • If you add the other ingredients while the gelatin is still too warm, the cottage cheese will scatter and the fruit will start to break down—patience on that cooling step changes everything.
  • Drained fruit is non-negotiable; any excess liquid will make the final texture soupy and disappointing instead of that perfect wobble.
03 -
  • If you're making this ahead and nervous about unmolding, you can absolutely serve it directly from the mold with a pretty serving spoon—it's still delicious and eliminates the drama.
  • Use cottage cheese straight from the fridge for the easiest folding; it stays in distinct little pockets instead of breaking down and creating a curdled texture.
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