Easy jello marshmallow candy squares, pinwheels or roll ups, homemade with 4 simple ingredients in 1 hour. This no bake dessert or snack is perfect for kids parties.
*Thank you JELL-O gelatin for sponsoring today's post so that I can share this recipe with all of you. All content and opinions expressed here are my own.*
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I must have been 10 when my mom and I first made this candy. They are soft and jiggly like gelatin but not as chalky as marshmallows. I finally made them with my son now and had a blast. These are just as delicious as my Fantasy Fudge (With Marshmallow Creme) and Chocolate Rum Balls (No Bake).
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Key ingredients
- Water- This acts as a solvent for the Jell-O and sugar.
- Jell-O- Use your favorite colors and flavors.
- Marshmallows- Mini ones work the best for this recipe.
- Sugar- You will need granulated sugar for these treats to work.
Variations
- Roll in sprinkles or sparkling sugar- To give a different, fun look with new color. You can even make your own Homemade Sprinkles. This makes it fun for birthdays, just like my Birthday Sprinkle Cookies (With Cake Mix).
- Have fun with flavors- When doing two different Jell-O flavors, you can mix and match, but just make sure they compliment each other well.
- Add dried fruit- Small bits can be added into this treat. I recommend low moisture content or else the mixture won't set well.
- Mix in some coconut flakes- Into the gelatin mixture for added texture and flavor. If you enjoy coconut treats, you may also want to try these Coconut Sugar Cookies (Cut Out).
- Use powdered sugar- At the end to dust the candies and make them look snowy. This is great during the Christmas or winter seasons. You can also check out my Christmas Pinwheel Cookies (Spiral) and other Christmas Recipes.
- Bring in other textures for rolling- Such as coconut flakes, crushed cookies, crushed candy bars, or even crushed nuts.
- Use color to your advantage- Have fun with the colors of gelatin and sprinkles to make each holiday, event, or party really stand out. For example, you can do red and blue for the 4th or July, red and green for Christmas, Red and pink for Valentine's Day, green for St. Patrick's Day, and more. Check out my Seasonal treats for more ideas.
How to make easy Jello marshmallow candy squares, pinwheels or roll ups?
- Mix together Jello and water- Then heat in the microwave until the granules are fully dissolved (Image 1).
- Add marshmallows- And heat again (Images 2, 3).
- Whisk everything- Until smooth (Image 4).
- Pour into an oiled pan- Then chill until it sets (Image 5).
- For a second layer- Follow steps 1-4 again, pour mixture on top of set layer, and let chill to set (Image 6).
- Run a knife around the edges- Flip onto cookie tray and cut slices (Image 7).
- Roll them in sugar- And enjoy or even cut strips and roll them into pinwheels (Image 8).
Tips and techniques
- Make sure to oil pan- So that it doesn't stick to the pan.
- Use a new bag of marshmallows- Because the older stale ones don't melt easily.
- Make sure to whisk mixture very well- Because this gets rid of all marshmallow lumps. Otherwise the lumpy marshmallows with rise to the top and you will end up with 2 layers when the mixture sets in the fridge.
- When you flip over the set marshmallow mixture- Make sure to line it with foil paper and spray it with oil. Don't use parchment paper or wax paper since that will make a sticky mess.
- Use a sharp knife- To loosen the edges before you turn over the set mixture onto your table.
- Don't skip rolling in sugar- Because this adds a pretty and fun look and also brings added sweetness.
- If you are making pinwheels- Those can unroll easily so to avoid that, you can push a toothpick on the ends or even stick in a lollipop stick, which makes it great for serving at birthday parties.
- If making two layers- Use a 10x10 pan. But you should not use this size if only doing one layer, because they will be too thick and hard to roll into a proper shape.
- If you are using 2 gelatin flavors- You must let the first layer set before adding the second layer in order to prevent unwanted mixing with each other.
Recipe FAQs
So much! You can make them in a variety of colors and flavors, they are easy and fun to make, there is no baking required, and kids love to be involved.
This can happen if you don't let the first flavor completely chill and set before adding the second one. It takes time, but this waiting step is very important.
I like to use a toothpick or even a lollipop stick to make it look extra fun. Also, be sure you are using the correct size of pan to be sure the set mixture isn't too thick for rolling.
This can happen most likely for two main reasons. One is that you may not have let the gelatin chill and set completely before cutting. Second is that you may need to use a sharper knife to cut the treat.
Storage
- Refrigerate- These can be placed in a sealed container for up to 2 days.
- Freeze- This treat cannot be frozen because it will become too hard and does not thaw well.
- Room temperature- Don't let these sit out for more than an hour or they will get melty.
- Make ahead- You can make this up to 2 days in advance if kept properly in the fridge.
More homemade candies
- Homemade Chocolate Turtles (Caramel Pecan Candy)
- Chocolate Covered Potato Chips (2 Ingredients)
- DIY Golden Snitch Truffles (Harry Potter)
- Frozen Yogurt Bark
- How to Make Nougat
Recipe
Jello Marshmallow Candy (Squares, Pinwheels or Roll Ups)
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Ingredients
- 3 oz Jello Whatever flavor you like: Orange, Cherry, Raspberry, Lemon, Lime gelatin e.t.c
- ½ cup Water Warm
- 1 ½ cups Marshmallows Mini
- ½ cup Sugar Granulated or Sanding
Instructions
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, add JELL-O gelatin and water and whisk everything together.
- Microwave for 1-2 minutes until gelatin is fully dissolved. Be sure to stop halfway to whisk everything together.
- Add marshmallows and microwave for 1-2 minutes or until they are slightly melted and "poofy."
- Whisk mixture together until smooth with no lumps.
- Pour mixture in a lightly oiled square pan (Dimensions: 9x9).
- Chill in the fridge for about 50 minutes.
- If you are adding a second layer of JELL-O mixture, follow steps 1-4 again and add the same amount of ingredients again and pour that mixture on top of this set layer. Chill for another 50 minutes.
- Once this marshmallow mixture has set, run a sharp knife around the edges.
- Then, flip it onto a cookie tray, lined with foil paper that's been sprayed with oil.
- Use a sharp knife to cut slices. It helps to spray some oil on the knife blade to prevent it from sticking to the cubes and making a mess.
- Roll them in a bowl of sugar or sprinkles until fully coated and arrange them on a serving dish.
- If you are making roll ups/ pinwheels, cut 1 inch strips instead of cubes and roll them from one end to the other end and push a lollipop stick or toothpick to hold the shape. Sprinkle some sugar and enjoy!
Notes
- Read additional tips and variations above.
- If you are using a 9x9 pan, you should get about 20 slices or 18 pinwheels.
- Must be stored in the fridge and it's good for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
Lizet Bowen
Such an easy dessert to make with kids! We will make it again.
Abeer Rizvi
Awww... thanks! My kiddo and I make it every holiday season too.
Latoya
Sweet.. Adding to bookmarks.. For my next candy making adventure
Abeer Rizvi
Enjoy!
Karen
Can I do the melting over a stove top?
Abeer Rizvi
Yes, I don't think that should be a problem.
Nwabuike Ifybest
I am messaging from Nigeria. How can I get all this ingredients like jell-o and marshmallows, and what if I don't have fridge to store it? How can I keep it for more than two days. thanks
Abeer Rizvi
I get those ingredients from my local grocery store. They are easily available and very cheap. As for storing them, I would highly recommend storing in the fridge to keep them from going bad/ or sticky in the heat.
Donna A.
I made these for church dinner last Sunday and quiet a few of our kids ask me to show their mom's how to make them . I said NO but I would show them how to make them for their mother's. So tonight at my house I have 14 kids ages 8-14 coming to my house to make Sunday desert for their family. they are bring their own mini marshmallows and 8×8 glass dishes .we're watching a movie too to give Mom some free time. And give it time to set up .pray for me please
Abeer Rizvi
Awwwww! That's so sweet and I am sure it would be so much fun!
Amy
I made this today but I had a thin layer of jello that separated from my marshmallow layer. It settled underneath the marshmallow layer. It looked neat but any idea why that might have happened?
Abeer Rizvi
Some people love that layer but I personally don't like it. That happens when the marshmallows were not completely dissolved and that's they floated to the top and made that layer.
Donna A.
Use mini marshmallows . They melt better
Erin
Why are they only good for 2 days?
Abeer Rizvi
I have only tested it for 2-3 days and that's why I wrote that. With the amount of sugar that's in there, I am guessing it would be good for much longer but I am not sure exactly how much longer....
Lori
Love this! Thank you......I made a two flavor recipe---lime and raspberry for a last mimute Christmas party. Everyone loved them!
Abeer Rizvi
Yay! Delicious flavor combo! Happy holidays!
Christi
You could mix some citric acid in with your dusting sugar to make them sour. For several years I add s pack of jello to rice krispy treat goo and then sprinkle the top with acid/sugar- use way more sugar than acid. Make sure you mark the container or you’ll give someone a bad surprise...
Abeer Rizvi
Oh what a fun idea!
Kelli
Have you tried putting booze in them like jello shots? If so how would that change the recipe?
Abeer Rizvi
I haven't tried it but someone said you can replace water with vodka in this recipe.