Comments on: Jell-O Cookies

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:37:12 +0000

Let me ask a couple of questions: How many flavors are you planning on making? Limiting the different flavors will cut down on the prep time. If you cut it to three flavors, you could do a double batch of each. Check out the modified recipe here: http://justhelen.net/2012/12/hohoho-merry-christmas-jello-cookies/ The next question is, when you say “shape”, do you mean roll into balls or actually shape, like with a cookie cutter? For that many cookies, rolling will be easier. What I do is measure out the flour, baking soda and salt for each batch into seperate bowls. After the batch is done, I put the dough back into the dry ingredient bowl and start on the next batch. My daughter and I do “buddy baking”…an extra set of hands will get this done in no time. I haven’t chilled the dough, but I have on other cookie doughs and it seems to be okay, although you might need to adjust the baking time by a minute or two, but don’t overbake and brown the bottoms of these. Then they get crunch and I like them best chewy plus they seem to store longer when chewy. You can definitely bake these the day before and store them in air-tight containers.

Well, you have a big project ahead, but it’s doable. It will take you a batch or two to get into your baking groove. Hope this answers your question…good luck!

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:17:57 +0000

Couple of questions: Are you making more than one flavor? When you say shape, are you talking rolling into balls or shaping more like cookie cutters? I have never chilled the dough first, but I suppose you could, but you might need to adjust the time for baking them. You should check out my update recipe here: http://justhelen.net/2012/12/hohoho-merry-christmas-jello-cookies/ I modified the recipe a little. I haven’t done 14 dozen at once, but when I make 4 colors, it makes up just about 12 dozen and I have done that in one sitting many times. If you are only going to do 2 or 3 flavors, you could double or triple batches. The best help would be to have a friend help. When I bake more than one flavor, there is a trick that I do. I will set up bowls and measure the amount of flour, baking powder and salt for each batch into a seperate bowl. That is part of what takes so much time…just make sure that you get all of the ingredients into each bowl. Then, once I get that batch done, I put the dough into that bowl, wash out the mixer bowl (I use my KitchenAid), dry it out and start the process again. At that point, I will start rolling the dough and baking it. Since each batch only takes 6 minutes to bake, it goes really quickly. If you limit the flavors, you will cut down on the prep time.

By: Martha

Martha — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:53:36 +0000

CAN you make the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it to shape and bake the next day? I have 14 dozen to make! *yikes*

By: Helen

Helen — Sat, 18 May 2013 03:14:57 +0000

Each of the colors is one batch and each makes about 30 – 36 cookies, depending on size. You only use one flavor of Jell-O at a time. The recipe seen made like…12 dozen…or a gross…but they’re not gross, they’re delicious! I have seen other recipes that mix in the Jell-O after making the cookie dough and then “knead” in Jell-O by the tablespoon(?), but I’m not sure on that recipe. I would just make one batch to see if you like the cookies (I love them…every time someone comments on them, it makes me want to make them…right away!) Try strawberry or raspberry…or grape…I really liked the flavor of grape using the lemon extract. The color that comes out on the grape is hideous without a little help from from some food coloring paste. Check out the difference here: http://justhelen.net/2013/01/i-heart-valentines-day-jell-o-cookies/ I don’t usually make all four colors unless I need to take cookies to a party or for Christmas/Valentine’s Day. I never have them go to waste…although they probably will go to “waist”:)

By: Cierra

Cierra — Sat, 18 May 2013 02:12:45 +0000

i was wondering… does it make 36 per color or 36 all together with all 4 colors? i would like to make these but i dont want to make too many.

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 01:47:08 +0000

Color does make me happy and the brighter the better with these Jell-O cookies! I updated them for Valentine’s Day here: http://justhelen.net/2013/01/i-heart-valentines-day-jell-o-cookies/

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 01:44:56 +0000

They really are a favorite at our house, too! I’m sure that your Grandma would be tickled if you made them. It is nice to carry on family traditions. Look for the ones I did for Valentine’s Day – soooooo cute! http://justhelen.net/2013/01/i-heart-valentines-day-jell-o-cookies/ Funny thing…I told my daughter to be on the look-out for restaurant-size packages of Jell-O, thinking maybe a 5 lb. bag – we don’t do things half-hearted at our house and it can be expensive when you buy it one little box at a time. But when she called and said that she found a 25 lb. box for $15, I almost said “yes”…I didn’t, but I’m thinking that was dumb. I could have shared it with friends!

By: Kallie Welter

Kallie Welter — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 20:02:12 +0000

This is my favorite cookie recipe of all time. My grandma always made these at Christmas time and now that she isn’t able to anymore, I like to carry on the tradition. Very yummmmy!!

By: Rosetta

Rosetta — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:56:11 +0000

I have to try these Helen, they look so pretty and colorful. Thanks for sharing! I also saw them on Pinterest.

By: Helen

Helen — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 08:24:59 +0000

Good advice about the contrasting-colored sugar. I did use darker sugars on my Christmas Jell-O Cookies, but it was in the same color family…dark green on the lighter green, dark red on the bright pink…you can check it out here: http://justhelen.net/2012/12/hohoho-merry-christmas-jello-cookies/ I love how they turned out! I am getting ready to start on heart shapes in red and pink – I just love Jell-O cookies!