Name: Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 7 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; ¼ cup pecans or walnuts, chopped finely; ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup boiling water; 1 small box (3 oz) lime gelatin; 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened; 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed; Green food coloring (optional); 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed; 2 cups boiling water; 2 small boxes (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin; 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries; Additional whipped topping; Sprinkles or candy

Nothing says festive quite like a dessert bursting with color and flavor, which is exactly why I’m excited to share this beautiful Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe with you. It’s a nostalgic treat that’s bright, creamy, and just a little bit magical on the holiday table.

The image shows a thick square slice of layered dessert on a white plate, resting on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a light brown, crumbly crust with visible small nuts or grains. Above that is a thick, smooth, and light green layer with a slightly porous texture. Next is a white creamy layer that looks soft and fluffy. On top of this is a bright red, translucent gelatin layer. The dessert is finished with a thick, white whipped cream layer spread unevenly on top. Scattered on the whipped cream are shiny, round candies in red and green colors. In the background, a larger, rectangular version of the dessert is visible in a clear dish. 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 Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe — it was an instant hit at our family gathering! The cool, creamy layers combined with the tart lime and sweet strawberries make it feel like a celebration in every bite. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to put together, which makes it perfect for your own holiday party or anytime you want a show-stopping dessert.

Layered Delight: The combination of lime gelatin, cream cheese, and strawberries creates distinct, delicious layers that look as good as they taste.
Simple to Prepare: No fancy baking skills required—just mix, layer, and chill!
Festive Flavors: The tangy lime contrasts beautifully with the sweet strawberries for a refreshing holiday flavor twist.
Perfect Crowd-Pleaser: It slices easily and serves a crowd, making it ideal for larger gatherings.

This dessert slice has four clear layers from bottom to top: a light tan crumbly crust, a thick layer of light green creamy filling, a bright red jelly layer, and a top white whipped cream layer decorated with evenly spaced red and green round candies. The slice is on a white plate sitting on a white marbled surface, with a woman's hand holding a fork lifting a piece showing all layers clearly. In the background, there is a bowl filled with red and green candies, a glass dish with more of the layered dessert, and another slice of the same dessert on a white plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of the Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe really comes from how the ingredients play off each other. You have the crisp buttery crust acting as the perfect base, the tangy lime layer cutting through the creamy richness, and the fresh strawberries adding juicy sweetness. Here’s what makes each component special and how you can shop smart for them.

Flat lay of a small mound of pale all-purpose flour, two tablespoons of fine granulated sugar in a neat pile, a handful of finely chopped pecans and walnuts mixed together, a stick of unsalted butter softened with a slight sheen, a small white bowl filled with steaming boiling water, an uncracked brown egg with a smooth shell, a block of smooth cream cheese in soft white, a fluffy cloud of whipped topping in a white ceramic bowl, a few drops of green food coloring in a tiny white bowl, a second uncracked egg with a clean shell, another small white bowl of granulated sugar, a larger white bowl holding fresh, bright red sliced strawberries glistening with natural juice, a small white bowl with clear strawberry gelatin mixture, and an additional small white bowl of whipped topping, all meticulously arranged in perfect symmetry 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

All-purpose flour: The foundation for the crust, providing structure and a tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the crust and creamy layers to balance the tartness of the gelatin.
Pecans or walnuts: Adds a subtle crunch and warm nutty flavor to the crust—feel free to toast them slightly for extra aroma.
Unsalted butter: Softened for easy mixing, it binds the crust ingredients together and gives that lovely golden-brown finish.
Lime gelatin: The star of the first layer, giving a zesty, festive pop of flavor.
Cream cheese: Smooth and rich, it balances tart gelatin with creamy tang, essential for luscious layers.
Whipped topping: Lightens the cream cheese layers to keep the cake fluffy and airy.
Green food coloring (optional): For that extra Christmas flair in the lime layer, though the natural color is lovely too.
Strawberry gelatin: Deeply sweet and fruity, it becomes the luscious top layer that holds fresh berries beautifully.
Fresh strawberries: Adds fresh texture and natural sweetness—make sure to slice them evenly for best layering.
Additional whipped topping and sprinkles or candy: For fun, festive garnish that brings a bit of whimsy to the presentation.

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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

One of my favorite things about the Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Over time, I’ve played with flavors and toppings to suit what I have on hand or what my guests prefer. You really can make this recipe your own with a few simple tweaks.

Variation: For a tangier twist, try swapping out the lime gelatin for lemon or even a tart grapefruit flavor. It adds a zesty surprise that guests love.
Dietary Tip: I’ve made this with sugar-free gelatin and reduced sugar cream cheese for a lighter version that still delivers on flavor.
Seasonal Change: Outside of Christmas, using fresh raspberries or blueberries instead of strawberries adds a fresh seasonal touch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe

Step 1: Crafting the Perfect Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, chopped nuts, and softened butter. I like to use my hands or a pastry cutter to mix everything until it resembles a coarse crumb. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan for a stable base. Bake for about 15-18 minutes until it turns golden brown and smells buttery. Don’t skip cooling it completely—you want a firm crust before layering!

Step 2: Creating the Lime Gelatin Layer

Pour your lime gelatin powder into a bowl and stir in boiling water until it’s completely dissolved—this usually takes about two minutes. After that, pop it in the fridge and let it partially set for about an hour. Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese in another bowl until it’s silky smooth. Slowly add in the cooled, thickened gelatin, mixing gently so it stays smooth, then fold in the whipped topping for that light, fluffy texture. If you want it extra festive, I sometimes add a few drops of green food coloring here. Spread this layer evenly over your cooled crust, then refrigerate for 30-40 minutes until firm.

Step 3: The Creamy Middle Layer

Now beat together the softened cream cheese and sugar until silky—it smells so good at this stage! Fold in the whipped topping gently and spread this layer right on top of the set lime layer. This creamy middle balances the tang and fruit flavors perfectly. Chill again for another 30-40 minutes so it’s nice and firm before moving on.

Step 4: The Juicy Strawberry Topping

Bring two cups of water to a boil and dissolve the strawberry gelatin powder thoroughly, just like you did with the lime. Once cool enough, add your fresh sliced strawberries and mix gently. Place this in the fridge for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. It should thicken slightly but remain spoonable—this prevents it from sinking into the creamy layers below. When ready, spoon the strawberry layer evenly on top and chill for at least 2-4 hours. The waiting is tough—but trust me, it’s worth it!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Before serving, I love topping mine with a swirl of whipped topping and a sprinkle of festive candy or colorful sprinkles to give that extra Christmas cheer. Serve chilled and slice carefully with a sharp knife for the prettiest layers.

Top Tip

From my experience, patience is the key to nailing the perfect Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe. Rushing the chilling times or layering too soon can make your layers run together, losing that beautiful distinct look. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way that really makes a difference:

Chill Between Layers: Always wait until one layer is firm before adding the next to avoid blending and messiness.
Use Fresh Strawberries: They maintain their texture and add a natural sweetness that canned fruit just can’t match.
Proper Gelatin Dissolving: Stir gelatin well in boiling water to avoid lumps that can ruin the smooth layers.
Even Spreading: Use an offset spatula for smooth layers — it helps to keep everything neat and pretty.

How to Serve Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe

Lime Strawberry Jello Cake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top this cake with a generous swirl of whipped cream, a few whole strawberries, and festive sprinkles – it just brings everything together visually and taste-wise. Sometimes I add tiny peppermint candies or edible glitter for more holiday sparkle.

Side Dishes

This light and refreshing dessert pairs wonderfully with richer holiday mains like ham or roast turkey, and it also complements a simple cheese platter or fresh green salad if your gathering is more casual.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, I’ve served this in clear glass trifle bowls so everyone can admire the vibrant layers. Another fun idea is to cut it into bite-sized squares and arrange on a platter surrounded by fresh mint leaves or edible flowers for a fancy party touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftover Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake tightly covered in the fridge. It keeps best for up to 3 days without losing its texture or flavor. I usually cover mine with plastic wrap to prevent it from absorbing any fridge odors.

Freezing

This dessert doesn’t freeze well due to the gelatin and whipped topping layers, which can separate and get watery when thawed. I recommend enjoying it fresh for the best experience.

Reheating

No reheating needed here — this cake is meant to be served cold. Just pull it from the fridge and let it sit a few minutes before slicing for the cleanest cuts.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, making it the day before allows the layers to set perfectly and the flavors to meld beautifully. Just cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

What can I substitute if I don’t have whipped topping?

You can use homemade whipped cream or even a combination of softened cream cheese and a little heavy cream whipped together. This keeps the texture rich and fluffy.

Why is my gelatin layer not setting properly?

Make sure to dissolve the gelatin powder thoroughly in boiling water and allow enough chilling time. Also, avoid stirring it once it starts to thicken to maintain smooth layers.

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Fresh strawberries are best for this recipe because frozen berries release water when thawed, which can make the gelatin layer runny. If you must use frozen, thaw and drain them well before adding.

Final Thoughts

The Christmas Lime Strawberry Jello Cake Recipe has become one of my go-to festive desserts because it’s as fun to make as it is to eat. It’s colorful, flavorful, and always gets compliments every time I bring it to a party. I hope you’ll enjoy making it your own and creating joyful memories around this simple but stunning cake. Happy holidays—and happy baking!