Name: Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 4 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2½ cups graham cracker crumbs; 12 tbsp butter (1½ sticks), melted; ½ package Pink Starburst Jell-O (a little under 2 ounces); 1½ ounces Blue Jell-O (½ package); 1½ ounces Yellow Jell-O (½ package); 1½ ounces Purple Jell-O (½ package); 16 ounces whipped cream, divided; 3 cups boiling water; 1⅓ cups cold water, divided; Yellow food dye (optional); Pink food dye (optional)

Nothing screams fun and flavor quite like a colorful, creamy dessert that brightens up your day. The Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe is one of those gems—vibrant, refreshing, and surprisingly easy to put together. It’s such a joy to slice through each layer and marvel at the rainbow inside!

A slice of three-layered pastel cheesecake sits on a white plate with a crumbly brown crust at the bottom, a pale yellow bottom creamy layer, a smooth light blue middle layer, and a light purple top layer with specks mixed in. The cheesecake has a swirl of white whipped topping with yellow sprinkles on top. A piece of the cheesecake is lifted on a silver spatula next to the slice. Around the plate are pastel-colored candy eggs, and the setting is on a white marbled surface. 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 Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What makes this Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe a must-try? Well, it’s not just the gorgeous rainbow layers that catch your eye, but the silky whipped cream folded into each color that gives every bite a luscious texture. This pie has become my go-to party showstopper, and I think you’ll love it just as much.

Bright and Beautiful: Each layer is a vivid pop of color, perfect for any festive occasion or to simply cheer up the everyday.
Silky Texture: Mixing whipped cream with Jell-O creates an irresistibly smooth and creamy filling that's not too heavy.
Easy to Make: Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean you can whip this up even if you’re pressed for time.
Customizable: You can tailor the colors and flavors to your liking, making it truly your own signature pie.

The image shows a round layered cake with four visible layers inside. The bottom layer is a light tan crumb crust. Above that is a smooth pale yellow layer, followed by a bright blue layer with a creamy texture. The top cake layer is a soft lavender color, finished with a thick white whipped cream topping decorated with small dollops and a sprinkling of fine golden crumbs. The cake is on a dark round base, set against a white marbled surface with a light blue cloth and a partially visible white cup beside it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe plays a special role to create those stunning layers and that silky mouthfeel we all adore. Here’s the scoop on what you’ll need and why:

Flat lay of small white ceramic bowls each filled with fine pink, blue, yellow, and purple gelatin powders, a medium white ceramic bowl with golden melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine graham cracker crumbs, a large white ceramic bowl filled with fluffy whipped cream, a small white ceramic bowl of sparkling clear boiling water, another small white ceramic bowl with cold water, and two whole clean eggs with smooth shells, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, 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

Pink Starburst Jell-O: This slightly tangy, sweet flavor adds a vivid pink layer that brings nostalgic candy vibes.
Blue Jell-O: You’ll want a deep, calming color to complement the brighter shades—blue does it beautifully.
Yellow Jell-O: This sunny color sometimes needs a little boost with food dye to make it really pop against the other hues.
Purple Jell-O: Adds a rich, contrasting color that anchors the pie’s palette nicely.
Whipped Cream: The magic ingredient that turns each Jell-O layer into a creamy, dreamy mousse-like texture.
Boiling Water: Essential to dissolve your Jell-O powders fully, ensuring smooth layers.
Cold Water: Helps cool the gelatin mixture so it thickens without setting too fast.
Yellow & Pink Food Dye (Optional): These give an extra burst of color where natural shades feel a little pale.
Graham Cracker Crumbs: The buttery, crunchy crust gives a perfect textural contrast to the creamy filling.
Butter: Binds the crumbs to form a firm, tasty crust base.

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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

I love how this Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe invites you to play with colors and flavors. Sometimes I swap the Starburst pink for cherry Jell-O or add a hint of lime zest to the blue layer for a fresh twist. You can easily tweak it to suit any season or mood!

Variation: One time I tried layering only three colors in ombre shades for a more subtle effect—it made a gorgeous centerpiece for a baby shower.
Dietary Modifications: Use sugar-free Jell-O if you want to lighten it up, or swap the whipped cream for coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
Seasonal Changes: Experiment with flavors like lemon, raspberry, or even lime for summer gatherings.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe

Step 1: Make the Perfect Graham Cracker Crust

Start by melting the butter completely—microwaving it in short bursts works best to avoid burning. Mix the melted butter with graham cracker crumbs until you get a sandy, thick texture. Press this mixture firmly into your springform pan, covering the bottom and sides to create a sturdy base. I like to pop it in the freezer while I prepare the filling—that way it sets up nice and firm.

Step 2: Prepare Each Jell-O Layer

Divide your Jell-O powders into separate bowls—one for each color. Pour the boiling water over each and stir thoroughly until every grain is dissolved. Next, add cold water to cool the mixture down. The goal? You want it thickened, not fully set, so chilling them in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes is perfect.

Step 3: Fold in Whipped Cream for Creaminess

This is the step where magic happens! Add about 4 ounces of whipped cream to each bowl of thickened Jell-O and mix vigorously. This takes a bit of muscle but trust me, the creamy consistency is worth it. If you're using food dye to strengthen any colors (like my yellow and pink layers), add it here and fold until the shade is even.

Step 4: Layer the Pie with Patience

Start with your first color—yellow works great but pick whatever you like best—to fill the crust evenly. Pop the pie back into the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up the layer. Then repeat with your next colors, one by one, freezing briefly after each. This prevents them from blending together and keeps those crisp rainbow lines. Remember, it’s okay if some layers overflow your crust—don’t stress; the pie will still release smoothly.

Step 5: Chill Until Firm and Serve

Once all your layers are in place, let the pie chill in the freezer for 3-4 hours until firm. When you’re ready, top it off with extra whipped cream for a dreamy finish. Slice, serve, and watch the smiles start!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve discovered a few handy tricks that make this Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe foolproof and beautifully vibrant every time. These tips come from my kitchen wins and near-misses, so you don’t have to repeat my mistakes!

Layer Timing: Don’t skip the 5-minute freeze between layers—it keeps your colors crisp and prevents blending.
Color Boosting: Feel free to add a touch of food coloring if yellow and pink don’t pop the way you want; it really makes a visual difference.
Mixing Whipped Cream: Be patient and stir vigorously when folding whipped cream into Jell-O, or your layers will be less creamy.
Crust Prep: I like to mix graham cracker crumbs and butter in a food processor to get an even, quick blend that’s easy to press into the pan.

How to Serve Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe

Rainbow Jello-O Pie - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Personally, I keep it simple and classic with just a dollop of freshly whipped cream on top. Sometimes I sprinkle a few colorful edible glitter flakes or scatter mini marshmallows around the edges for a playful touch. If I’m going all out, fresh berries add a lovely pop of freshness against the sweet layers.

Side Dishes

This pie is such a standout on its own, but I like to serve it alongside light fruit salads or cool cucumber mint drinks to keep the spread balanced and refreshing. It’s perfect for summer cookouts and Easter brunches alike.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I made mini rainbow Jello-O pies in individual mason jars for a birthday party—they were a huge hit and so easy for guests to grab and go. Another fun idea is to arrange slices on a white platter in a rainbow arc for a colorful dessert display that doubles as party decor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to four days. The crust stays nicely crisp, and the layers hold their shape well. Just be sure to keep it chilled so it doesn’t weep or lose firmness.

Freezing

Honestly, I don’t recommend freezing this pie. I’ve tried it a couple of times, and the texture changes once thawed—the creamy layers separate a bit and the Jell-O gets grainy. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days refrigerated.

Reheating

No reheating needed here! This pie is best served chilled straight from the fridge or freezer. If it’s too firm from the freezer, let it sit 10-15 minutes at room temperature to soften before slicing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of crust for this pie?

Absolutely! While the graham cracker crust adds a lovely buttery crunch, you could also try a vanilla wafer crust or even a regular cookie crust if you prefer. Just make sure it’s firm enough to hold the layers.

How long does the pie need to chill before serving?

For the best results, chill your pie in the freezer for about 3 to 4 hours until it’s fully set. This ensures each layer is firm and the pie slices cleanly without smearing.

Can I prepare the layers without using whipped cream?

You can, but the texture won’t be as creamy or mousse-like. The whipped cream lightens up the Jello and makes each layer silky and rich, which is what makes this Rainbow Jello-O Pie so special.

What’s the best way to get vivid colors in my Jell-O layers?

Adding a tiny bit of food coloring especially to the yellow and pink layers can brighten the colors significantly. Also, make sure to chill the Jell-O just enough before folding in whipped cream—that thickened but not fully set state helps keep the colors vibrant.

Final Thoughts

This Rainbow Jello-O Pie Recipe will always hold a special place in my recipe box because of the way it livened up family gatherings and brought so much laughter and smiles around the table. I hope when you make it, you’ll find the same joy in each colorful slice. Give it a try like you’re sharing a secret with a friend—it’s truly a dessert that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat!