This is hands down my favorite dessert to make in the summer. While everyone else is heating up the oven and baking layers, I just stir everything together in one bowl and pop it in the fridge. It comes out looking like stained glass, with bright jewel-toned cubes of jello suspended in a creamy filling, and my kids absolutely lose their minds over it. It’s as fun to look at as it is to eat.
- 2 cups full-fat sour cream
- 2 boxes flavored jello, different colors (Jell-O works great)
- 1 box graham crackers or vanilla wafers
- 7 to 10 oz bananas, strawberries, or other fruit
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2½ tablespoons unflavored gelatin (about 3 packets)
First make the jello according to the package directions, using a little less water than usual so it sets up firm. Pour each color into a separate shallow dish and refrigerate until completely set.
While the jello sets, soak the unflavored gelatin in a little water and let it bloom, then warm it gently until fully dissolved. Don’t let it boil.
In a large bowl, beat the sour cream with the sugar until smooth. Pour in the dissolved gelatin and mix well.
Break the graham crackers into small bite-sized pieces. Cut the bananas, strawberries, or whatever fruit you’re using into small cubes. Once the colored jello is fully set, cut it into small cubes too, keeping the colors as distinct as you can.
Add the crackers, fruit, and jello cubes to the sour cream mixture and fold everything together gently. You want to keep the jello cubes intact so you get that beautiful mosaic look when you slice it.
Transfer everything to a mold or a deep bowl and refrigerate for several hours until completely set.
Before serving, dip the mold into hot water for just a few seconds, then flip the cake out onto a plate. When you slice into it, you get those gorgeous colorful “broken glass” pieces scattered all through the creamy filling. It’s light, refreshing, and so striking that I end up making it more than once every summer.