Published: · Modified: by Emily Criswell · I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article · 27 Comments
Did you know that making your own healthier homemade jello is so easy to do? This Naturally Sweetened Homemade Lemon Jello is the most fun snack! Kids and adults love it and it only takes 10 minutes to make.
this RECIPE
Homemade jello is such a fun food!
Most of us grew up eating jello, but I'm guessing it was the kind that came from a box.
That's what I grew up with, the commercial mainstream jello in the box. I loved it, most people do! I had no idea about refined sugar then and I certainly didn't know about food coloring.
Have you seen the ingredient list on those boxes? Refined Sugar, Artificial Flavor, Yellow 6, Red 40, BHA ... yikes, there's nothing healthy about that.
Jello is supposed to be afunsnackand if you're consuming it when you're sick, it's supposed to be a nourishing remedy. But there's nothing nourishing about copious amounts of refined sugar, artificial flavors and food dyes.
Skip the boxed stuff and make your own homemade lemon jello instead!
There's really no need to make jello any other way. It's just as fast to make a homemade jello version instead of the boxed version.
It's super easy to make and only takes minutes to prepare.All you need is some nourishing, quality, grass-fedgelatinplus some fresh lemon juice and a little bit of honey and you're good to go.
Did you have a favorite jello flavor as a kid? I loved lime, strawberry and cherry and my mom's favorite flavor was orange. We both really loved any of the citrus flavors.
Since the boxed versions are not something I will serve to my family, real food jello it is instead!
I usually stick to citrus jello for my family like orange jello, lime and lemon jello and sometimes tart cherry jello. Clear juices is the key - you don't really want to use chunky, smoothie like juices or it won't turn out the way you remember jello tasting. Trust me, the texture will not be smooth if you use a juice that is not clear.
My Tiny Love devours any homemade jello I make, a whole pan of it usually doesn't last more than a day in my home because it gets gobbled up so fast.
Please do yourself a favor and skip the commercial kind from the grocery store and get yourself some healthy grass-fedgelatin instead.
Benefits of Gelatin:
- It's known for helping restore gut lining.
- Known for helping to build stronger bones, build stronger nails and support dental health.
- Helps support hair growth and strength.
- It's known to help reduce joint pain.
- Known to help soothe the intestinal tract. This is one of the reasons it's helpful to consume when you're sick. It's very gentle on the stomach.
So go ahead and treat your loved ones to some fun and delicious Homemade Lemon Jello!
If you want to make it extra special, you can chop up the jello and serve it in a pretty serving dish with a big scoop of homemade honey sweetened whipped cream on the top. Enjoy!
Naturally Sweetened Homemade Lemon Jello
Yield: 12-15 squares (varies)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Inactive Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 17 minutes
Did you know that making your own healthier homemade jello is so easy to do? This Naturally Sweetened Homemade Lemon Jello is the most fun snack! Kids and adults love it and it only takes 10 minutes to make.
Ingredients
- ½ cup freshly squeezed organic lemon juice
- 1 ½ cup filtered water
- 2 tablespoon grass-fed gelatin (<-- andrecommend)
- 2 tablespoon light colored honey {<-- honey}
Instructions
- Wash and cut the lemons in half. Place a fine mesh strainer over a measuring cup or mixing bowl. Squeeze lemons until you have ½ cups of lemon juice.
- Pour the lemon juice and water into medium-size saucepan.
- Sprinkle thegelatinon the surface of the lemon juice (this is called "blooming" and just means that it helps prevent lumps from forming).Using a fork or whisk, stir the mixture and let it sit for about 2-3 minutes.
- Heat the gelatin-juice mixture over medium-low heat until the gelatin is dissolved, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and add the honey, stirring until the honey is completely dissolved.Immediately pour into a glass dish, jello mold, ice cube tray, ramekins or whatever you would like.
- Place in the refrigerator and chill forat least3-4 hours or until completely set.
- Enjoy!
Notes
YOU WILL NEED:Fine Mesh Strainer,Glass Measuring Cupor Large Mixing Bowl,Medium Saucepan, Measuring Spoon, Whisk or Fork, Glass Bowl/Glass Dish/Jello Molds/Ice Cube Trays
- I like to pour the jello mixture into a large rectangle glass dish and cut the jello into square slices. You can also use cookie cutters to make fun shapes for your littles.
- If you prefer your jello extra sweet and less tangy, add 1 extra tablespoon of honey.
INGREDIENTS I USED:I used thisgrass-fed gelatinto make this homemade lemon jello. I only recommend using a lighter colored honey. Wildflower honey will overpower the flavor ... just trust me on this, it won't taste good. I use a local creamed clover honey. I have also used thislight colored raw honeyand thishoneyis great too.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 18Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g
This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circ*mstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Are you onPinterest? I pinlots of yummy real food recipes + more there. I have a board just forGluten Free Treatstoo! Come follow along.
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About Emily Criswell
Emily Criswell is a chocolate- and sweet treat-loving, holistic-minded mom of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author -The Art of Great Cooking withYour Instant Pot {ranked in Amazon's top 10 new releases - gluten free recipes}, Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot{ranked as a #1 New Release BEST SELLER!}, Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot, The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes, food photographer, homeschooler and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten-free blog focusing on real food and natural living. She works to empower her readers by showing them that there is a healthier way to eat and live. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible.Find Emily’s latest recipes and natural living tips atRecipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, Twitterand YouTube plus grab her free eBookHolistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy. Read more >>About Emily.
Reader Interactions
Comments
linda spiker
This recipe is gorgeous Emily! I love eberything about it!
Reply
Renee Kohley
Orange and lemon were always my favorites! This looks so refreshing, and I think i'll stash this away for those inevitable sicknesses this winter when the girls don't feel like eating much! Thank you!
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Jean
I absolutely love lemon desserts, so I know I would go to town with this! What a great healthy treat that's also so easy to make.
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Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!
Oh yum, and so refreshing too! My mom used to make fruit juice sweetened jello growing up, but we never had lemon which is one of my favorite flavors, so I can't wait to try it out!
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Irena Macri
These were super easy to make! I love lemon flavoured treats and this was such a great sugar fix that is actually good for you. Thanks for the recipe!
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heather
You had me at lemon! I love making my own jello, especially for gurguly tummies!
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Megan Stevens
I love this recipe! I've actually never made lemon jello before, how silly of me! I love lemonade, and your recipe is such a good idea!! LOVE your idea of topping it with honey whipped cream!!!
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Katja
YUM! This is so bright and refreshing. I can taste it already.
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Kathryn
I love this gelatin recipe! We use a different brand of gelatin, but I'll have to look into the one you recommend.
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Melissa @Real Nutritious Living
Refreshing perfection for summer! Beautiful pics too!
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Yang
This lemon jello is so so pretty, like all your other recipes! I bet it's super refreshing in the summer time.<3
Reply
anna
I am so excited to make this for my little ones! I grew up with the sugar and food dye-laden boxed jello and it was always such a happy (but horrible for us!) treat. What fun to be able to make healthy gelatin treats for my own wee ones, without worrying about all the junk. Thanks for a great recipe!
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ChihYu Smith
Lemon jello is definitely my favorite healthy sweets! They are so delicious and I love how healthy your recipe is. Thanks so much for sharing !
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Lindsey Dietz
Only 4 ingredients??? Such a simple and special treat. I also love how lightly sweetened it is. I assume one could also use stevia for a sugar-free jello, too? Totally making!
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Anne
I haven't had jello in a very long time - too much sugar and food coloring. Thank you for this healthy version that sounds so refreshing!
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STACEY CRAWFORD
This is an easy and healthy flavored gelatin recipe! I love lemon so much. Thanks 🙂
Reply
Christina
Yes!!! I love when unhealthy things are made healthy and this looks so very good, Emily! Such good ingredients!! I know my kids will be pumped for it!
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Holley @ ThePrimalDesire
These are gorgeous, and I'm always trying to get more gelatine with less sugar!
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Allison Wojtowecz
This is a gorgeous recipe! My family is going to love it!
Reply
Ilene
I can't wait to make this for my Mom; lemon is her favorite! But I'm wondering...you mention to use clear juices when making a healthy jello. If I were to make orange, would I use the same amount of honey and water? Just hoping to keep a recipe handy for whatever flavor I decide to make. Hope you can help and thanks for all you do!!
Reply
Emily Vidaurri
I hope your mom enjoys it! 🙂 I actually have an orange jello recipe too: https://www.recipestonourish.com/homemade-orange-jello/ I use the same ratios, but if you prefer a sweeter jello, you can increase the honey, the water will stay the same though.
Reply
Rosemary
i CAN'T EAT HONEY. hOW WOULD THIS TASTE WITH mAPLE SYRUP WHICH i CAN EAT?
Reply
Emily Vidaurri
I haven't made this with maple syrup so I'm not how it would taste, but I'm sure it would add the flavor of maple. In my recipe, honey is more mild in flavor which helps the lemon shine as the main flavor.
Reply
Tomi
Do you think that a simple syrup would be a comparable substitute for people who cannot have honey? I know that for people who cannot have gelatin, they can substitute agar agar.
Reply
Emily Criswell
Hi Tomi, I bet a simple syrup would work. Maple syrup should work too, but will slightly alter the flavor. Hope that helps! 😊
Reply
Verity
I made two batches today. The first was citrus with fresh squeezed lime and lemon juices, and I left this batch tart. For the second batch I used True Orange powder packets and used two cups of water total. I made the orange batch sweeter, and it reminds me of Tang. I'm looking forward to experimenting with different flavors!
Reply
Emily Criswell
Hi Verity, I remember Tang! My mom used to make that when I was a kid. I bet that flavor was yummy. 😋 Have fun as you experiment with more flavors. 💜
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