Make Gelatin Ice Cubes

When people think of gelatin, they usually think of the giggly stuff you eat out of a bowl for a snack or dessert. Did you know that you can also freeze flavored gelatin into ice cubes? They are a great way to add color to clear drinks (such as soda) while keeping them cold. You can also cut regular gelatin into cubes to resemble ice cubes for winter-themed parties and cake decorating.

Ingredients

Solid Ice Cubes

• 3-ounce (85-gram) packet flavored gelatin (ie: Jello)
• 2 cups (475 milliliters) boiling water
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) cold water

Jiggly Ice Cubes

• 4 cups (950 milliliters) water or juice
• 4 packets gelatin
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) sugar

Steps

Making Solid Ice Cubes

1. Empty a small packet of flavored gelatin into a mixing bowl. A 3-ounce (85-gram) packet of gelatin will be enough to fill at least one ice cube tray. Keep in mind that this also depends on the size and shape of the wells in the tray.
   • These gelatin ice cubes are literally frozen. They are a great way to add a splash of color to drinks without melting and blending colors/flavors.
   • If you have a large enough measuring cup, use that instead. It will make the pouring step easier.
2. Whisk in the required amount of boiling water into the bowl. Most 3-ounce (85-gram) packets of flavored gelatin will call for 2 cups (475 milliliters) of boiling water. If your package calls for a different amount, use that amount instead.
   • Be sure to whisk well so that the gelatin is completely dissolved.
3. Stir in half of the required amount of cold water. 3-ounce (85-gram) packets of flavored gelatin will typically call for 1 cup (240 milliliters) of cold water. You want to use half that amount, so about ½ cup (120 milliliters) of cold water.
4. Pour the flavored gelatin into an ice cube tray. If you mixing bowl does not have a spout, use a soup or sauce ladle to scoop up the gelatin, and pour it into each well.
   • A silicone ice cube tray will work the best.
5. Freeze the flavored gelatin. Don't wait for it to set. Simply tuck the entire ice cube tray into the freezer. Leave it there until the gelatin freezes. This will take at least 4 hours.

Making Jiggly Ice Cubes

1. Pour ½ cup (120 milliliters) of juice into a bowl. You can also use a 4-cup (950-milliliter) measuring cup instead. For something that looks more ice-like, use a clear or blue-colored juice. You can also use water if you do not care about the flavor.
   • These gelatin ice cubes are merely cut to look like ice. They are perfect for winter themed parties or desserts where you need something that looks like ice.
   • You can also try to use a clear soda.
2. Stir in 4 packets of unflavored gelatin, then let the gelatin bloom. Tear open 4 packets of clear, unflavored gelatin, and add them to the water. Give the mixture a brief stir. Wait for the gelatin to bloom. This will take about 5 minutes.
3. Microwave the mixture until the gelatin melts. Make sure that the bowl or measuring cup you are using is safe to use in the microwave. If it isn't, pour it into a container that is. Heat the mixture in the microwave until the gelatin dissolves. This will take about 1 minute on HIGH.
4. Stir in the sugar and the rest of the juice. Add in the sugar first. Give it a stir until it dissolves completely. Add in the rest of the juice/water, and stir it again. Keep stirring until the color is consistent.
5. Prepare your mold. You can use a 9 by 13-inch (22.86 by 30.02-centimeter) glass pan or an ice cube tray. Spray your mold of choice with cooking spray. This will make the cubes easier to pop out. If you are using a silicone ice cube tray, then you can skip this step.
   • Use a regular ice cube tray with wells that are shaped like cubes. This will make them look more like ice cubes. Save the novelty trays that are shaped like fish, hearts, stars, dinosaurs, etc. for another project.
6. Pour the mixture into your mold. If you used an ice cube tray, you may have leftover gelatin. You can pour it into a smaller baking tray or another ice cube tray, but be sure to spray it with cooking spray first.
7. Allow the gelatin to set in the fridge. This will take about 1 hour. Again, these gelatin ice cubes will remain jiggly; they will not be solid like real ice cubes.
8. Cut the gelatin into cubes, then remove the gelatin. Aim to make the cubes about ice cube sized, about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) square. You can also make them rectangular instead. If the cubes are stuck to the pan, you can try soaking the bottom of the pan in warm water for a few minutes.
   • If you used an actual ice cube tray, you can leave the cubes as they are after popping them out, or you can cut them into smaller cubes.

Tips

• Use the frozen ice cubes in juice or soda. Clear works best.
• Try to use filtered or bottled water instead of tap water. Tap water contains lots of minerals, which may affect the flavor of the gelatine.
• Colored/flavored ice cubes show up the best in clear drinks.
• If you have leftover gelatin, you can pour it into small bowls to make regular Jello instead.

Warnings

• Be carefully when using gelatin ice cubes on cakes. Some people have experienced them melting and turning the cake into a soggy mess.
• Although it is possible to freeze gelatin, gelatin is not really meant to be frozen. It won't melt, but it will change its texture as it thaws.
• Some people have noticed that frozen gelatin changes its flavor as it thaws.

Things You'll Need

Making Solid Ice Cubes

• Large mixing bowl or measuring cup
• Whisk
• Ice cube tray(s)
• Freezer

Making Jiggly Ice Cubes

• Large mixing bowl or measuring cup
• Whisk
• Microwave
• 9 by 13-inch (22.86 by 30.02-centimeter) glass pan or an ice cube tray
• Refrigerator

Sources and Citations

See also

• Remove Ice Cubes From a Tray
• Choose the Right Bottled Water
• Perform a Water Fast
• Purify Water
• Love the Taste of Water
• Open a Bottle of Water
• Make Honey Water
• Chug Water
• Drink More Water Every Day
• Make Clear Ice

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