Broken glass cake (milk jelly with colorful gelatin cubes) -

Broken glass cake is my favorite make-ahead dessert. Made with milk jelly and colorful Jell-O cubes, it’s so creamy, eye-catching, and light

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Broken glass cake (also known as Broken Glass torte, Crown Jewel dessert, Prism, or Stained Glass cake) is my biggest gastronomic love. It’s one of the most impressive desserts out there, perfect for parties, birthdays, and holidays all year round. This dessert is always a showstopper at potlucks and for good reason. The combination of light and airy Jell-O cubes suspended in a creamy milk jelly is like biting into a weightless cloud of pure joy. You won’t be able to resist this colorful masterpiece!

This fabulous no-bake cake is a great alternative to ice cream, so expect requests for second helpings!

At first glance, the recipe may seem very complicated, but in reality, this no-bake cake is extremely easy to make.

It’s impossible not to love no-bake desserts – they require minimal effort and no oven, yet yield irresistible results! If you’re a fan of no-bake desserts, you’re going to love this bright milk jelly! And if you’re looking for more impressive sweet treats that require no baking, try our easy homemade chocolate salami and edible pine cones.

Broken glass cake is a stunning retro dessert

Ever since my student years, I’ve had a love for Broken Glass cake. It was during that time that this colorful milk jelly dessert became incredibly popular in Ukraine. With its smooth texture and unique appearance, it was the go-to dessert for every birthday party and holiday celebration. And let me tell you, it never failed to impress! Whether it was Easter, New Year’s, or any other special occasion, Broken Glass cake was always there, stealing the show.

Even now, years later, it remains my absolute favorite make-ahead dessert. I mean, who could resist diving into a heavenly concoction of airy and vibrant Jell-O cubes delicately floating in a creamy milk jelly?

I’m certain that every gelatin dessert lover has their own variation of Broken Glass cake. Today, I’ll gladly share my family recipe, a treasured gem carefully preserved in my grandmother’s cherished cookbook.

Useful tips

Here are some helpful tips and tricks that will make the process smoother and guarantee a perfect dessert:

You can use either powdered gelatin or sheet gelatin for this dessert. If you opt for sheet gelatin, make sure to check the package instructions for the right amount needed to set 1 liter (4 cups) of liquid.
Get creative with your Broken Glass cake by choosing different Jello fruit flavors and create different color combinations. Customize the recipe to fit any holiday, themed party, or event. For example, use red, green, and white for Christmas; red, blue, and white for the 4th of July; or red and white for Valentine’s Day.
If you prefer to skip pre-made colored jelly, you can create your own colors by adding gelatin to your favorite fruit juices. Almost any fruit juice can be used, except pineapple and kiwi, as they contain enzymes that prevent the gelatin from setting properly.
Make sure to wait until the milk, sour cream, sugar, and gelatin mixture has fully cooled down before adding the colored Jello-O cubes. Don’t wait too long though, as the milk jelly will start to set as soon as it cools. Timing is crucial to prevent the mixture from thickening too much.
Keep the Broken Glass cake refrigerated until you are ready to serve it.

Not only will your guests be impressed by this delightful make-ahead dessert, but they may also be curious about the recipe. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to guide them to my blog where they can find some helpful tips and tricks. And who knows, they may even discover some new favorite recipes while they’re here! LOL…

Variations to the recipe

This recipe can be easily customized to suit your preferences:

Do you like coffee? I have a fantastic idea for you! Instead of colored fruit jelly, make coffee jelly by preparing 500ml (2 cups +4 tsp) of strong coffee, adding sugar to taste, dissolving 20g (4tsp) of gelatin powder in it, and refrigerating until set.
You can replace sour cream with Greek yogurt or use whole vanilla yogurt.
Use different shapes: Instead of cutting the colored jelly into cubes, use different shapes, such as stars or hearts, for a fun twist.
Transform your broken glass cake into a stunning gelatin dessert by serving it in glass cups or ice-cream bowls.

Feel free to experiment and make this sweet treat your own!

Ingredients

For the colorful gelatin cubes:

3 packages of instant jelly powder (such as Jell-O or another brand of your choice) in different colors and flavors

For the milk jelly:

500g (2 cups + 4tsp) whole milk
500g (2cups +1Tbsp) whole vanilla yogurt, Greek yogurt, or sour cream (in Italy I replace it with Panna da cucina cream)
25g (1oz) unflavored gelatin (powdered or sheet/leaf). If you use leaf gelatin, please read the package instructions to check how many leaves you need to set 1 liter (4cups) of liquid (as the amount may vary depending on the company, manufacturer, and type of gelatin)
1cup sugar
200g (7oz) chocolate shortbread cookies or chocolate crackers

How to make Broken glass cake

To start, make the colorful jelly. Follow the instructions on the jelly package and prepare each of the jelly mixtures. Pour each gelatin mixture into a separate container, and then chill them in the fridge until they become very firm

Using a mixer or whisk, stir the yogurt or sour cream together with the sugar until well combined. There’s no need to mix it for a long time

Dissolve the gelatin in hot milk. Make sure that the milk is hot, but not boiling hot

Once the milk has cooled down slightly, add it to the mixture of yogurt or sour cream and sugar. Mix everything together until well combined

After the colored jelly has firmed up, cut it into medium-sized cubes, and then add them to the mixture of milk, yogurt or sour cream, and sugar. Make sure to wait until the mixture has completely cooled down before adding the jelly cubes

Break the chocolate cookies or crackers into small pieces

Once you have added the broken pieces of chocolate cookies or crackers to the milk and jelly mixture, mix everything together thoroughly. If the cookies or crackers don’t sink into the milk jelly and instead float on the surface, don’t worry – this won’t be a problem. When the dessert firms up, the cookies or crackers will create an interesting decoration on the surface and add some color to the overall presentation

Transfer the broken glass dessert mixture to a large rectangular container (32x26cm / 13’’x10’’). Refrigerate until completely set, preferably overnight

Now, you can savor the delicate taste of the Stained Glass Cake by dipping a spoon into the delicious milk jelly filled with colorful Jell-O cubes. Enjoy every bite!

How to remove it from the mold

Don’t worry if your Broken Glass Cake doesn’t come out of the mold easily. Simply follow these steps: First, dip the bottom and sides of the mold in warm water for about 10 seconds, making sure no water gets inside the mold. Next, place a serving plate or tray on top of the mold and flip them over. Lastly, carefully remove the mold to reveal your beautiful dessert.

How to serve a Broken glass cake

When it comes to serving the Broken Glass Cake, I usually cut it into squares or slices, just like a regular cake.

However, if you’re looking to take it to the next level, consider pairing it with some delightful additions. Here are a few options to consider:

Top it with whipped cream. Use a pastry bag with different attachments to create swirls of whipped cream on top of the dessert.
Fresh berries and fruits are perfect additions to this dessert. Canned fruits such as pineapple or peaches can also complement it well.
Chocolate or caramel sauce. For a decadent twist, try serving this gelatin dessert with a drizzle of salty caramel sauce or rich chocolate sauce.
Chocolate curls. Use a vegetable peeler to shave a bar of chocolate into thin curls. Sprinkle the chocolate curls on top of the Broken Glass Cake for a stunning finishing touch.

FAQ

How to store this dessert?

Keep it refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze it?

This cake should not be frozen. If you freeze it, it will lose its texture and become a strange, indescribable mass that resembles a mix between pudding, ice cream, and panna cotta. Once frozen, it won’t be a proper Broken Glass cake anymore.

Can I use low-fat milk for this recipe?

I recommend using whole milk for this recipe. Low-fat milk may not have the same creaminess and texture needed for this dessert.

Prepare to impress your guests with this stunning and colorful Broken Glass cake! Not only is it vibrant and eye-catching, but it’s also incredibly delicious. Plus, with its unique design, it’s sure to be the star of any gathering. So, go ahead and serve it on a beautiful plate, and get ready for the round of applause. With this dessert, you’ve got this!

Tried this recipe? Please leave a comment with Star Ratings ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. I will really appreciate it.
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