Name: Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 7 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; ¼ cup pecans or walnuts, chopped finely; ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup boiling water; 1 small box (3 oz) lime gelatin; 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened; 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed; Green food coloring (optional); 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed; 2 cups boiling water; 2 small boxes (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin; 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries; Additional whipped topping; Sprinkles or candy

Nothing says festive quite like a vibrant, creamy dessert that combines tangy lime and sweet strawberries. This Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe is a joyful, colorful treat that always brightens up the holiday table with its refreshing flavors and fun layers. I love how it’s both simple to make and utterly crowd-pleasing.

This image shows a square dessert with five layers on a white plate. The bottom layer is a beige, crumbly crust with small nut pieces. Above it is a thick, smooth mint green layer. Next is a white fluffy layer with some small air holes, followed by a semi-translucent bright red jelly layer. The top layer is a thick white whipped cream with a swirled texture, decorated with red and green round candy pieces scattered on top. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe offers such a lovely combination of creamy textures and fruity flavors. When I first made it, the way the layers came together left my whole family asking for seconds—and it’s become a holiday tradition ever since.

Bright, Festive Colors: The lime and strawberry layers create a gorgeous red and green contrast that's perfect for holiday celebrations.
Simple Ingredients: All the ingredients are easy to find and the recipe doesn't require any complicated techniques.
Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare it a day in advance, making your holiday prep less stressful.
Customizable Layers: From swapping nuts in the crust to adding extra toppings, you can tailor it to your family's preferences.

The image shows a slice of layered dessert on a stack of white plates with a white marbled texture background. The dessert has four main layers: the bottom crust layer is light tan and slightly crumbly; above it is a thick mint green creamy layer; on top of that is a bright red translucent gelatin layer; and the top layer is fluffy white whipped cream decorated with red and green round candy pieces. A fork holds a piece of the dessert, showing each layer clearly and the creamy texture of the whipped topping. In the background, part of a tray of the whole dessert and a bowl filled with red and green candies are visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This dessert layers creaminess with fruity gelatin, so each ingredient plays a key role in balancing taste and texture. Make sure to get fresh strawberries for that juicy pop, and softened cream cheese for smooth mixing. Here’s a quick tip on the main components:

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, two tablespoons of granulated sugar in a small white bowl, a handful of finely chopped mixed pecans and walnuts on a white ceramic dish, a stick of unsalted butter unwrapped and fresh looking, a small white bowl filled with boiling water, a small box of lime gelatin powder beside it, a block of cream cheese softened on a plain white plate, a container of fluffy whipped topping scooped into another white bowl, a small white bowl of green food coloring droplets, a second block of softened cream cheese on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, two small boxes of strawberry gelatin powder, a generous pile of sliced fresh strawberries arranged neatly on a white plate, and additional whipped topping in a white bowl next to some colorful sprinkles on a separate small white dish, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Creates a tender, sturdy crust that holds all those dreamy layers.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens both crust and layers enough without overpowering the fruit flavors.
Chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts): Add a subtle crunch and holiday flair to the crust.
Unsalted butter: Makes the crust rich and golden—softened butter is key for easy mixing.
Lime gelatin: Brings that tart, festive green flavor and sets the first creamy layer perfectly.
Cream cheese: Gives smoothness and a slightly tangy edge that pairs beautifully with the gelatin layers.
Whipped topping: Lightens the cream cheese, creating an airy texture across the dessert.
Strawberry gelatin: Delivers sweet, berry flavor and vibrant red color for the top layer.
Fresh strawberries: Freshness is everything here—they provide a natural sweetness and texture contrast.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on your tastes or pantry staples. Over the years, I’ve tried a few variations to suit different moods and guests.

Variation: For a nut-free crust, I swap chopped nuts for more flour and a hint of cinnamon—keeps the base just as tasty for those with allergies.
Diet-friendly: Using sugar-free gelatin and a reduced-fat cream cheese lets you enjoy this festive treat with fewer calories.
Color pop: If you want a brighter green layer, add a few drops of green food coloring to the lime gelatin like I do—it really elevates the presentation.
Extra berry power: Scatter blueberries or raspberries in the top layer for an even more colorful, fruity dessert.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe

Step 1: Preparing a Perfect Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 13×9 baking dish. Combine flour, sugar, chopped nuts, and softened butter in a large bowl. I find using my hands works best to get everything evenly mixed—you want a crumbly but cohesive texture. Press this mixture firmly into your baking dish and bake for about 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool completely before moving on; otherwise, it’ll mess with your creamy layers.

Step 2: Setting the Lime Gelatin Layer

In another bowl, pour the lime gelatin powder over 1 cup of boiling water. Stir for a full 2 minutes to make sure it’s completely dissolved—that's super important for a smooth set. Pop this in the fridge for about an hour until it’s partially set but still spoonable. Meanwhile, beat your softened cream cheese until silky smooth. Gradually add the cooled gelatin to the cream cheese, mixing gently but thoroughly. Fold in the whipped topping for that fluffy finish. For a more vivid green, I like adding a tiny drop of food coloring. Spread this luscious layer over your cooled crust and chill again for 30 to 40 minutes.

Step 3: The Creamy Second Layer

This layer is like a dreamy cheesecake filling. Beat cream cheese and sugar until totally smooth, then fold in whipped topping gently so you keep the airy texture. Spread evenly on top of the lime layer and refrigerate until set, about 30 to 40 minutes. Patience pays off here to get those clean, distinct layers.

Step 4: The Sweet Strawberry Top

Lastly, stir strawberry gelatin into 2 cups boiling water until dissolved, just like before. Add your fresh sliced strawberries, then chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. You want this layer partially set but still soft enough to spoon easily without sinking through the cream cheese. Carefully spoon over the second layer and refrigerate for at least 2 to 4 hours to firm up. This wait is tough but trust me—it’s worth every minute.

Top Tip

From my experience, a few little tricks have made all the difference in getting this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe just right. Paying attention to setting times and cream cheese softness ensures those layers won’t mix or collapse.

Softened Cream Cheese: Never rush this step—softened cream cheese blends so much smoother and keeps the dessert light.
Patience with Gelatin Setting: Partially setting your gelatin layers in the fridge prevents colors from bleeding and creates nice, clean layers.
Gentle Folding: When adding whipped topping, fold carefully to keep that fluffy texture instead of deflating your mixture.
Avoid Thin Top Layer: Stir the strawberry gelatin every 10 minutes while chilling to reach the perfect consistency that won’t run or soak through the layer beneath.

How to Serve Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe

Christmas Jello Dessert - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish this dessert with a generous dollop of extra whipped topping and a sprinkle of bright holiday-colored sprinkles. Sometimes, adding tiny candy cane pieces or even edible glitter amps up the festive feel and makes the presentation sparkle.

Side Dishes

This dessert is wonderfully light, so I like pairing it with richer mains like honey-glazed ham or creamy mashed potatoes for a balanced holiday meal. It also goes great alongside simple sugar cookies or gingerbread for a sweet buffet spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve layered this dessert in individual glass parfait cups for easier serving and a pretty look. Another fun idea is cutting it into bite-sized squares and setting them on a festive platter with mint leaves and fresh strawberries for color contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Because this dessert is gelatin-based, it keeps wonderfully in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors or drying out.

Freezing

I haven't had great luck freezing this dessert—the gelatin texture tends to alter after thawing, becoming a little watery. For best results, enjoy it fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen.

Reheating

No reheating needed for this cool, refreshing dessert. Just serve it chilled straight from the fridge for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use another kind of gelatin instead of lime or strawberry?

Absolutely! You can swap the lime or strawberry gelatin with other flavors, but keep in mind this will alter the festive color palette and flavor balance of the Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe. For best results, use complementary fruity flavors like raspberry or orange.

How long does the dessert need to chill before serving?

You should refrigerate the dessert for at least 2 to 4 hours after adding the top strawberry layer to ensure all layers set properly and slice neatly. Overnight chilling is even better if you have time!

Can I make this dessert vegan or dairy-free?

This recipe relies on cream cheese and whipped topping for its creamy layers, so a vegan or dairy-free version would require substitutes like dairy-free cream cheese and whipped coconut cream. Texture might differ slightly, but it can still be delicious!

What’s the best way to slice and serve this dessert?

Use a sharp knife dipped in warm water and wiped dry before slicing for clean, neat cuts through all layers. Serve chilled on small plates with a spoon or fork, garnished as you like.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Dessert Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it makes holiday gatherings a little more magical. It’s one of those desserts that brings smiles, sparks compliments, and invites nostalgia with each tasty spoonful. I hope you give it a try and that it becomes a treasured favorite on your festive table, just as it has on mine. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll be reaching for it every Christmas season!