Make Gelatin from Powdered Drink Mix
Jello brand gelatin is great, but the stores don't always have a great selection. On the other hand, there are many flavors of Kool-Aid and other powdered drink mixes. Why not make gelatin from the drink mix?
Steps
- Pick your flavor of drink mix. Note whether it is pre-sweetened or not.
- Put one cup (250 ml) of cold water in a six cup (1.5 L) or larger bowl or other vessel. I use a Pyrex 8 cup (2 L) measuring cup.
- Sprinkle two envelopes of unflavored gelatin on the cold water allowing it to soften (note that a "packet" of commercial unflavoured gelatin equals approx one tablespoon of bulk gelatin, so for this recipe you would use 2 tablespoons).
- Meanwhile bring two cups (500 ml) of water to a boil. You may also use another Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave for four minutes, or a saucepan.
- Sprinkle the package of drink mix on the gelatin mix.
- If the drink mix is unsweetened, add sweetener to taste. Consider using 1/2 cup (125 ml) of Splenda as a "dietary substitute". If you are using sugar you will need between 1/2 cup and one cup (125 ml to 250 ml). Remember, you can always ADD sugar if it isn't sweet enough, but you can't take it out.
- Add the two cups (500 ml) of boiling water and stir until everything is dissolved.
- Add one cup (250 ml) of cold water, or enough to get to four cups (1 L) total. That's why I use the big measuring cup.
- Taste the liquid. If it needs more sweetener, now is the time to add it.
- Refrigerate until gelled.
- Enjoy your own unique flavor of "Jell-O".
Tips
- A squeeze of lemon juice adds a bit of brightness to the gelatin mix.
- For a smaller batch, use half the ingredients.
- You can ladle the mixture into individual serving dishes before refrigerating.
- You can add fruit to the desert. You will get best results waiting until the gelatin has started to set a bit (half hour to an hour) or all your fruit will sit on the bottom.
- Replace up to one cup (250 ml) of the cold water with any fruit juice for a more natural fruity taste.
- Mix and match flavors. Just note that each package of drink mix will make four cups (1 L) of gelatin desert, so if you mix multiple packages you can end up making a HUGE batch.
Warnings
- If you find that you forgot sweetener, you can warm the gelatin in the microwave until it melts, add sweetener, and then gel again in the refrigerator.
- Don't use fresh pineapple or papaya in your gelatin. These fruits contain enzymes that keep gelatin from gelling.
- Make sure you know whether your drink mix has sweetener or not. If you add sweetener to sweetened drink mix it will NOT taste good to anyone over the age of six.
- If you do NOT add sweetener to unsweetened drink mix, very few people will taking a liking to it.
Things You'll Need
- 2 packages unflavored gelatin (Knox or generic, or two tablespoons of bulk)
- 1 package drink mix (Kool-aid or other)
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) or more sugar or sweetener if using unsweetened drink mix
- 6 cup (1.5 L) bowl or vessel heat resistant
- 3 cup (750 ml) bowl or vessel microwave safe
- spoon or whisk
- refrigerator
